The ongoing conflict in West Asia continues to heavily disrupt aviation routes across the Middle East, forcing airlines and passengers alike to navigate an increasingly volatile and uncertain travel environment. With escalating tensions leading to closures and restrictions of airspace over several key countries, airlines operating in the region are closely monitoring the situation, issuing frequent advisories, and adjusting their schedules to prioritize passenger safety amid operational challenges.
A significant impact has been felt due to the closure of airspace over Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar. These restrictions have compounded operational difficulties at major hubs such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which have been severely affected by missile and drone attacks. As a result, international airlines have suspended several routes, while flights that continue to operate are facing delays and rerouting complexities. This has created a ripple effect, disrupting travel plans and stranding many passengers in the region.
In response to the challenging situation, several airlines have issued updated travel advisories and taken steps to maintain connectivity where possible. India’s budget carrier IndiGo, for example, announced plans to operate flights to five destinations in the Middle East on March 7, 2026, subject to prevailing safety conditions and regulatory approvals. The airline acknowledged the volatility of the situation but emphasized its ongoing efforts to help reunite passengers with their families during these difficult times. IndiGo urged travelers to remain vigilant and monitor updates closely, as schedules may change rapidly depending on evolving operational conditions. The airline has made safety the cornerstone of its decisions, aiming to balance passenger welfare with the imperative to maintain essential air services.
Meanwhile, Air India and its subsidiary Air India Express have confirmed that they continue to operate scheduled flights to Jeddah and Muscat, destinations they have assessed as safe for ongoing operations. Additionally, Air India announced plans to operate extra non-scheduled flights on March 7 to and from Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Muscat, Ras Al-Khaimah, and Sharjah. These additional services are intended to help evacuate stranded passengers back to India amid the ongoing disruptions. Despite regional turbulence, Air India highlighted that its long-haul services to Europe and North America remain unaffected, operating normally through alternative routes that circumvent the restricted airspace.
The situation for airlines based in the UAE, a major aviation hub, remains particularly fluid. Etihad Airways, the UAE’s national carrier, has resumed a limited flight schedule but cautions that operations continue to depend on receiving necessary operational approvals and the evolving status of regional airspace. On the other hand, Emirates, another key UAE carrier, has taken the more drastic step of suspending all flights to and from Dubai until further notice. In an update posted on social media, Emirates urged passengers not to travel to the airport, promising to share further updates as the situation develops. For travelers booked on Emirates flights between February 28 and March 31, the airline has offered flexible options including rebooking for travel up to April 30 or requesting refunds through the airline or their travel agents. Despite the suspension at Dubai, Emirates continues to operate flights from Abu Dhabi to various international destinations including Indian cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Ahmedabad, as well as destinations across Europe, Asia, and North America, as per its published schedule for March 8.
Qatar Airways is also grappling with the unprecedented challenges posed by the closure of Qatari airspace. Regular flight operations remain temporarily suspended; however, the airline is coordinating repatriation flights following authorization from authorities to operate through a limited corridor. On March 7, Qatar Airways planned to operate repatriation flights from Hamad International Airport in Doha to several major European cities including London, Paris, Madrid, Rome, and Frankfurt. Priority on these flights is being given to stranded passengers, families, elderly travelers, and those with urgent medical or compassionate needs. The airline has already pre-allocated seats to affected passengers to facilitate their safe and timely return home.
In a related development, Qatar’s General Authority of Civil Aviation announced the partial resumption of air traffic via “dedicated emergency air routes with limited capacity.” These emergency corridors have been established in coordination with the country’s armed forces and relevant authorities to allow essential aviation movements, even as broader airspace restrictions remain firmly in place. This measure aims to balance security concerns with the need to maintain some level of vital air connectivity during this period of heightened tensions.
The sharp disruptions to air travel across the Middle East are the direct consequence of escalating hostilities triggered by