Flight operations across the UK, UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain have been severely disrupted after a series of US strikes on Iran triggered a rapid escalation in Heightened regional tensions triggered immediate airspace shutdowns and large-scale flight disruptions. As security threats intensified and missile activity targeted key sites, governments and airlines took immediate action to safeguard passengers and crews, grounding flights and rerouting aircraft to avoid potential conflict zones—causing a ripple effect of delays and suspensions across the Gulf and beyond.
Global air travel is experiencing a significant upheaval as tensions between the US and Iran escalate. Following a series of US military strikes on Iranian nuclear and military facilities on June twenty-second, flight operations across the Middle East—particularly in the Gulf nations—have been severely impacted.
Airspace closures and flight cancellations have rippled through Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, while UK-bound flights have been among those disrupted. Major Gulf carriers and global airlines are suspending or rerouting routes, citing security concerns as geopolitical tensions grow in the region.
US-Iran Escalation Sparks Regional Travel Crisis
The immediate trigger for the disruption came after the United States launched targeted airstrikes on Iranian installations. In response, Iran fired missiles at the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar on June twenty-third, one of the largest US military facilities in the region.
Prior to this retaliatory strike, Qatar proactively closed its airspace, responding to urgent safety alerts issued by both the United States and the United Kingdom. Citizens were advised to remain indoors, and airlines were instructed to reroute or suspend operations.
As military activity intensified between Iran and its rivals, air travel through one of the world’s most strategically important aviation corridors began to unravel.
Gulf Airspace Closures and Airline Suspensions
The closure of Qatari airspace was only the beginning. Airlines operating in and through other Gulf nations began suspending routes, delaying flights, and diverting aircraft to avoid conflict zones.
Qatar:
Qatar Airways announced a temporary suspension of several flights due to the full closure of national airspace. The airline said it was working with relevant authorities and would resume services once safe operations could be ensured.
United Arab Emirates:
Emirates, the Dubai-based carrier, halted all services to Iran and Iraq through June thirtieth. Flights to Baghdad and Basra were suspended, while other routes were redirected using longer, safer flight paths.
Etihad Airways, based in Abu Dhabi, suspended its route to Tel Aviv until mid-July and cancelled multiple regional flights to and from cities like Doha, Dammam, Kuwait City, and Muscat.
Bahrain:
Gulf Air has prolonged its flight suspension to Amman, Jordan, until June twenty-seventh due to ongoing regional concerns. Additional disruptions were anticipated for connecting services to Iran and Iraq.
Kuwait:
Kuwaiti aviation authorities issued a notice urging caution for flights operating in or near Iranian airspace. Select regional flights were grounded or rerouted as a precaution.
Oman:
Oman’s Civil Aviation Authority directed carriers to reroute flights through alternative air corridors to ensure operational safety. Although Muscat International Airport remained operational, several international carriers altered flight paths to avoid Omani airspace adjacent to the Strait of Hormuz.
Saudi Arabia:
Saudi authorities are closely monitoring the situation. While no full closure has been announced, Saudi airspace remains under heightened security protocols, and some international carriers have opted to avoid routes crossing the kingdom’s eastern regions.
UK Flights Disrupted as Global Airlines Respond
The UK government issued an updated travel advisory urging citizens in the Gulf to follow local guidance and monitor airline updates. British Airways suspended all flights to and from Doha through Wednesday, with extensions possible depending on regional developments.
Flight tracking platform FlightAware reported more than 240 cancellations worldwide by Tuesday morning. Dubai International Airport topped the global list with twenty-six inbound and outbound cancellations recorded early that day. Air India led among carriers with twenty-five cancellations by 0600 GMT.
International Airlines Take Precautionary Measures
The conflict’s impact has spread beyond Gulf carriers. Several global airlines have issued advisories or suspended services in the region.
- Singapore Airlines cancelled multiple Dubai-bound flights from Sunday through Wednesday, citing “security assessments of the geopolitical situation in the Middle East.”
- Japan Airlines was forced to return a flight mid-route from Tokyo to Doha and subsequently cancelled all flights on that route through June twenty-seventh.
- Philippine Airlines suspended multiple scheduled services to Riyadh, Dubai, and Doha amid escalating regional travel disruptions.
- Air India, already grappling with the aftermath of a fatal crash earlier this month, suspended all operations to the region and redirected North American and European services to avoid restricted airspace.
Aviation Experts Emphasize Passenger Safety
Aviation analysts have stated that while travel disruptions are inconvenient, these precautionary measures are critical for passenger and crew safety. Flightradar24’s Ian Petchenik highlighted that the latest surge in airspace restrictions marks a significant escalation in aviation disruptions linked to regional conflict.
“These reroutes and cancellations reflect real-time risk assessments,” he said, highlighting the importance of keeping aircraft out of potential strike zones. History has shown the dangers of operating in contested airspace—such as the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 over Ukraine in 2014, which killed 298 passengers and crew.
Experts warn that without access to commercial flights, evacuation from conflict zones becomes increasingly challenging. They also caution that a prolonged escalation could lead to widespread disruption of global aviation routes connecting Asia, Europe, and Africa through the Gulf.
Uncertain Outlook for Gulf Travel
The situation remains fluid. Some airspaces have partially reopened under strict guidelines, but the possibility of further escalation continues to weigh on airlines and travelers. The Gulf’s central geographic role in global aviation makes it especially vulnerable during periods of instability.
Airlines are now evaluating alternative flight corridors over Central Asia and North Africa, though these detours increase operational costs and flight times. Delays and cancellations are expected to persist until regional tensions ease.
Meanwhile, governments across the Gulf are enhancing coordination with international aviation agencies to assess daily risks and manage passenger flows safely.
Travelers Advised to Stay Alert
As the US-Iran conflict escalates and tensions ripple through the Gulf, travelers—especially those from or heading to the United Kingdom—are advised to monitor government travel advisories and maintain direct communication with airlines.
With major hubs in Doha, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Muscat impacted, the ripple effect on international travel is likely to persist. Airspace closures and sudden flight changes may remain in effect for the foreseeable future, as Gulf nations prioritize national security and passenger safety.
Massive flight cancellations and sudden airspace closures have run through the UK and principal Gulf states following US airstrikes against Iran and rising tensions within the region, prompting swift measures to ensure aviation safety. Airline services have halted or diverted flights to save passengers from impending risks of conflict zones.
Until conditions improve, those traveling through Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, or the UAE should expect continued disruption and prepare for contingency changes to their travel plans.
