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Thousands of Travellers Stranded Across Middle East as UAE, Turkey, Bahrain, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and More Grounded 346 Flights and Delays 525, Impacting Emirates, Etihad, Gulf Air, Royal Jordanian, and More in Dubai, Jeddah, Doha, Istanbul, Fujairah, and Beyond due to severe airspace closures and geopolitical tensions following the joint strikes by Israel and the United States on Iran. The resulting disruption has led to widespread flight cancellations and delays, particularly affecting major airports and airlines throughout the region. As airports scramble to manage the ripple effects, thousands of passengers have been left stranded, with their travel plans in jeopardy. This ongoing crisis has severely impacted both international and domestic flights across the Middle East, causing a massive ripple effect on air travel.

In an unprecedented and chaotic turn of events, the Middle East’s airspace has been severely disrupted today, leaving thousands of passengers stranded across airports and flights grounded or delayed. 346 flights have been cancelled, and 525 flights have been delayed, affecting major international airlines such as Emirates, Etihad Airways, Gulf Air, Royal Jordanian, and Turkish Airlines. These severe disruptions have been triggered by an ongoing geopolitical crisis as Israel and the United States launch joint strikes on Iran, resulting in the closure of vital airspaces and air traffic routes across the region. Dubai, Jeddah, Doha, Istanbul, Fujairah, and other Middle Eastern airports have been hard hit by this crisis, throwing a massive wrench in travel plans for both business and leisure passengers alike.

Geopolitical Fallout: Airspace Closures and Strikes Lead to Unprecedented Chaos

The epicentre of today’s travel chaos stems from Israel and the U.S. launching coordinated strikes on Iran, which has directly impacted regional flight operations. As tensions escalate, airspaces in multiple countries are now closed or restricted, including Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar. In response to the ongoing military actions, all flights to and from these regions have been suspended, severely affecting one of the busiest travel corridors in the world.

The closures are not just limited to regional airspaces—Doha and Bahrain airspace have been fully shut down, causing a ripple effect that has grounded hundreds of flights. For travellers attempting to fly out of the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Jordan, the situation has become a logistical nightmare, as both incoming and outgoing flights are delayed or diverted.

Major Airports Across the Middle East in Crisis

A number of major airports in the Middle East are experiencing chaotic scenes due to the ongoing disruptions. Dubai International Airport (DXB), one of the world’s busiest airports, has been significantly impacted by the airspace shutdowns. With no flights taking off for over 30 minutes and incoming flights delayed for at least 10 minutes, DXB is facing a substantial backlog. Passengers waiting for their flights have been left in limbo as the ground crew works to manage the growing chaos.

Similarly, Jeddah King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED), Doha Hamad International Airport (DOH), and Istanbul Airport (IST) are witnessing significant flight delays and cancellations, leaving travellers stranded in airports and unable to get accurate information regarding the status of their flights. Fujairah International Airport (FJR), while less busy, has also been affected by the shutdowns, leading to an uptick in delays as well.

Flights Diverting and Rerouting: The New Normal for Middle Eastern Travel

The effects of the airspace closures are not just limited to cancellations. Flights currently in transit have been forced to alter their flight paths to avoid airspaces that have been shut down. For example, FZ984, a flight from Kazan to Dubai, has been diverted to Baku, while AI126, a Chicago-Delhi route, is now flying over Syria, a region that was previously avoided by most airlines. Similarly, G9950, a Sharjah-Moscow flight, has been diverted over Pakistan, while EK225, a flight from Dubai to San Francisco, is rerouting over Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Iran’s airspace, once a major transit point for international flights, is now closed to all traffic, forcing airlines to find alternative routes around the country. As a result, many long-haul flights are facing delays, as pilots must navigate around the newly restricted airspaces. Similarly, Israeli airspace has been closed until 10:00 UTC, forcing flights departing from Tel Aviv and Amman to divert to other regional airports, further complicating the situation.

Airlines Struggling to Adapt to the Crisis

With 346 flights cancelled and 525 delayed so far, airlines operating in and out of the Middle East are scrambling to adjust their schedules and reroute flights to avoid the closed airspaces. Some of the biggest international carriers that are currently facing the brunt of the disruptions include:

• FlyDubai (UAE): 55 cancellations (15%) and 63 delays (17%)
• Saudia (Saudi Arabia): 25 cancellations (4%) and 19 delays (3%)
• Emirates (UAE): 14 cancellations (2%) and 69 delays (12%)
• Royal Jordanian (Jordan): 6 cancellations (4%) and 11 delays (9%)
• Gulf Air (Bahrain): 3 cancellations (2%) and 10 delays (7%)
• Etihad Airways (UAE): 1 cancellation (0%) and 37 delays (11%)
• Mahan Air (Iran): 1 cancellation (2%) and 1 delay (2%)
• Turkish Airlines (Turkey): 1 cancellation (0%) and 24 delays (1%)

Etihad Airways, which operates flights primarily from Abu Dhabi, has also been impacted with delays stretching well beyond normal travel times, with over 37 flights delayed today. Other airlines, including Gulf Air and Royal Jordanian, have faced significant operational setbacks, with 6% of their flights cancelled due to the closures. Passengers flying with Gulf Air, FlyDubai, and Emirates have been advised to check their flight status frequently as airlines adjust schedules based on available routes.

Regional Impact: Affected Countries and Airports

The affected countries include Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The closed airspaces currently include:

• Iran
• Iraq
• Kuwait
• Bahrain
• Qatar

With airspace shut down over these nations, international flight routes have been rerouted, and airlines are working quickly to provide passengers with alternatives. The following key airports are directly impacted:

• Dubai International (DXB)
• Jeddah King Abdulaziz International (JED)
• Doha Hamad International (DOH)
• Istanbul Airport (IST)
• Fujairah International Airport (FJR)

Many passengers in these airports have been experiencing long waits as airlines process rebookings and reroute flights. In some cases, passengers who were scheduled to fly out of Dubai International Airport are being told to expect major delays, as no flights have been able to depart for over 30 minutes, leading to a backlog of passengers.

What Lies Ahead for Middle Eastern Travel?

As the situation continues to unfold, the critical question for both travellers and airlines is: when will air travel return to normal? With several airports closed, flights rerouted, and airlines forced to deal with airspace closures, it is likely that these disruptions will extend for days. The Middle Eastern aviation network—one of the busiest in the world—faces a major blow as it scrambles to deal with the challenges of shifting air routes and grounded flights.

For travellers, the uncertainty continues to grow as they await updates on their flights. Many are stuck in airports, uncertain about their travel plans, while airlines work tirelessly to adjust schedules. Flight delays and cancellations are expected to continue in the coming hours, with some flights being rescheduled at short notice.

Travel Tips for Navigating Middle Eastern Airspace Disruptions

If you’re travelling through the Middle East during this period of heightened airspace disruptions, it’s crucial to stay informed and prepared. Here are some essential tips to help you navigate the ongoing crisis:

1. Stay Updated on Flight Status: Regularly check your airline’s website or app for the latest updates. Most airlines offer real-time notifications for cancellations or delays, allowing you to adjust your plans quickly.
2. Register for Alerts: Sign up for flight status alerts with your airline. This will ensure that you receive timely notifications if your flight is cancelled or delayed, allowing you to avoid long waits at the airport.
3. Have a Backup Plan: If your flight is cancelled, know your options. Consider looking into nearby airports for alternate flights or possible rerouting. Stay in contact with your airline for assistance with rebooking.
4. Prepare for Longer Waits: With airport queues likely to be longer than usual, pack snacks, entertainment, and necessary items like medications to help pass the time.
5. Check Travel Insurance: Review your travel insurance policy to understand coverage in case of cancellations or delays. Some policies may cover additional expenses like accommodation or meals.

By staying proactive and informed, you can minimize the stress of travel disruptions and ensure a smoother journey through the Middle East.

The ongoing Israel-U.S. strikes on Iran and the resulting airspace closures are creating a massive crisis for air travel across the Middle East. Thousands of passengers are stranded at airports in cities like Dubai, Doha, Istanbul, and Jeddah, while 346 flights are cancelled and 525 flights delayed. Major airlines like Emirates, Etihad, Royal Jordanian, and Gulf Air are working under immense pressure to reroute flights and deal with the disruptions.

Thousands of travellers are stranded across the Middle East as UAE, Turkey, Bahrain, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and more have grounded 346 flights and delayed 525 due to airspace closures and the ongoing Israel-U.S. joint strikes on Iran. This unprecedented disruption is affecting major airlines like Emirates, Etihad, Gulf Air, and Royal Jordanian, with widespread delays at airports including Dubai, Jeddah, Doha, and Istanbul.

For travellers caught in this chaos, the situation remains uncertain as airlines and airports continue to adapt to the changing circumstances. With no clear end in sight, it is essential for passengers to keep checking flight statuses and remain patient as the situation unfolds. For the Middle East, this crisis highlights the vulnerability of the region’s air travel network to external geopolitical pressures. The full extent of the disruption will become clearer in the days ahead, but for now, the skies over the Middle East remain uncertain.