Last Updated – 10th March 2026 – 16:36 GMT
Gradual Return of Flights, But Disruption Continues
Air travel across parts of the Middle East is gradually beginning to stabilise, with several airlines increasing services following the widespread airspace closures and cancellations seen earlier in March.
Major Gulf carriers including Emirates, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways have started progressively restoring flight operations, although most airlines are still operating reduced schedules and prioritising passengers with existing bookings while they work through the backlog of disrupted travellers.
Emirates is currently operating at around 60% of its network, with over 100 daily flights to more than 80 destinations, and expects to return to normal capacity in the coming days subject to airspace conditions.
At the same time, Qatar Airways has begun operating repatriation and priority flights to major European cities, including London, Paris, Frankfurt and Madrid, to assist passengers who were stranded during earlier disruptions.
Continued Operational Disruption
Despite the gradual resumption of services, aviation across the region remains far from normal operations.
- Since the start of the crisis in late February, more than 40,000 flights have been cancelled across the Middle East due to airspace closures and safety restrictions.
- Airlines worldwide are continuing to adjust schedules as routes around restricted airspace remain limited.
- Some carriers are still extending cancellations or operating limited services while they reassess routing and safety conditions.
The disruption has also affected airports outside the region, with cancellations reported on routes linking the Gulf to Europe and Asia as airlines continue to reorganise flight schedules.
Wider Industry Impact
The situation is also beginning to affect the wider aviation sector:
- Rising fuel prices linked to the conflict have pushed jet fuel costs significantly higher, leading some airlines to increase ticket prices or review network plans.
- Alternative routes between Europe, Asia and Australia are experiencing high demand and limited availability due to reduced capacity through Gulf hubs.
What This Means for Travellers
Although flight operations are increasing, disruption is still possible and travellers should continue to plan cautiously.
Travellers are advised to:
- Check flight status directly with their airline before travelling to the airport
- Allow additional connection time where possible
- Ensure contact details on bookings are fully up to date
We continue to monitor all client itineraries involving travel to, from or transiting through the region and will contact affected travellers directly where changes occur.
If you have travellers due to depart within the next 72 hours, please contact our team so we can review routing options and contingency plans.
Last Updated – 6th March 09:17 GMT
Limited Flight Operations Begin to Resume Across the Region
Over the past 48 hours, several airlines have begun gradually restoring limited flight operations, although schedules remain significantly reduced and subject to change at short notice.
Regional carriers including Emirates and Etihad have started operating a restricted number of services on selected international routes, marking the first phase of recovery following widespread airspace closures earlier this week.
Etihad Airways has confirmed that limited commercial flights will operate between 6–19 March, connecting Abu Dhabi with a number of major global cities including London, Paris, Frankfurt, New York and Toronto.
At the same time, airlines in South Asia and the Gulf — including Air India, IndiGo and SpiceJet — have begun adding additional services and relief flights to help move passengers who were stranded during the disruption.
Continued Disruption and Airspace Restrictions
Despite these initial resumptions, aviation across the region remains far from normal operations.
- Some airlines continue to suspend or delay services while airspace restrictions remain in place, particularly in parts of the Gulf region.
- Qatar Airways has confirmed that scheduled flights remain suspended while Qatari airspace continues to be closed.
- Several regional carriers, including Gulf Air, are also keeping operations paused until authorities confirm it is safe to resume.
Airspace restrictions across parts of Iran, Iraq, Israel, Qatar, Bahrain and neighbouring countries earlier this week caused tens of thousands of flight cancellations across the Gulf region, forcing airlines worldwide to reroute aircraft and revise schedules.
Ongoing Global Ripple Effects
The disruption continues to affect routes well beyond the Middle East, with airlines adjusting long-haul operations and flight paths.
For example, Qantas has temporarily rerouted its Perth–London service via Singapore rather than the Gulf region due to airspace restrictions.
Across global networks, airlines continue to review schedules daily, meaning travellers may still experience:
- Last-minute cancellations
- Longer flight times due to rerouting
- Changes to connection airports
Industry experts also warn that the backlog of disrupted passengers and repositioning of aircraft may take weeks or months to fully stabilise global schedules.
What This Means for Travellers
While flights are gradually returning, disruption is still likely over the coming days.
Travellers should:
- Check flight status directly with their airline before travelling to the airport
- Allow additional connection time where possible
- Ensure contact details on bookings are fully up to date
We continue to monitor all client itineraries involving travel to, from or through the Middle East and will contact affected travellers directly where changes occur.
If you have travellers due to depart within the next 72 hours, please contact our team so we can review routing options and contingency plans.
Last updated – 3 March 2026 – 17:45 GMT
Ongoing Airline Suspensions & Limited Resumptions
Further developments this afternoon confirm that disruption across Middle East airspace remains significant, with several major airlines extending cancellations and suspensions.
A number of European carriers, including Air France and KLM, have extended cancellations on routes to key Middle Eastern destinations through later this week, with some suspensions currently running until 5–9 March depending on destination.
Regional carriers including Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways continue to operate only limited, controlled services. Full restoration of normal commercial schedules is not expected before later this week at the earliest.
While some flights have resumed from selected airports under strict operational controls, the majority of previously scheduled services remain cancelled or subject to change at short notice.
Wider Operational Impact
• Additional flight cancellations have been reported at European airports serving Gulf routes.
• Rerouting and extended flight times remain likely where services are operating.
• Passengers are advised not to travel to the airport unless specifically instructed by their airline.
The situation remains fluid and subject to change with limited notice.
What This Means for Travellers
- Disruption is expected to continue over the coming days.
- Airline schedules may be amended overnight.
- Further cancellations remain possible.
We continue to monitor all client bookings and will contact affected travellers directly where changes occur.
If you have colleagues due to travel within the next 72 hours, please contact us so we can review routing options and contingency plans.
Emergency support remains available on 01264 720188
Last updated: 3 March 2026 – 09:29 GMT
Summary
Flight operations to, from, and through parts of the Middle East remain significantly disrupted, with ongoing airspace restrictions, widespread cancellations, and limited/controlled resumption of services at some hubs. The situation remains fluid and airlines are making changes at short notice.
What’s changed since yesterday afternoon
Limited flight operations are resuming in the UAE — but only in a controlled way
Authorities and airlines have begun operating a limited number of flights, largely focused on repatriation / repositioning and selected services under regulatory oversight. Most normal commercial schedules are not yet running reliably, and passengers are being advised not to travel to the airport unless contacted by their airline.
Dubai Airports has issued operational updates for DXB/DWC following temporary airspace measures, reinforcing that operations remain restricted and changeable.
Airline cancellations and suspensions
A number of international carriers continue to suspend or cancel Middle East routes due to security and airspace concerns.
- Air France–KLM has cancelled flights to/from multiple Middle East cities, with Air France suspensions running through Thursday (5 March) for certain routes and KLM cancellations for some destinations running to 9 March.
- Wizz Air has suspended flights to/from several destinations in the region (including Israel, Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Amman) through 7 March, while increasing capacity to Sharm el-Sheikh as an alternative routing option for some disrupted travellers.
- Broader reporting indicates continued disruption for multiple global carriers, with many reviewing services day-by-day as airspace restrictions evolve.
Airspace and routing impacts
Airspace restrictions have led to:
- Reroutes and longer flight times (where flights are operating)
- Last-minute schedule changes and missed connections
- Knock-on disruption for travellers transiting via major hubs (e.g., DXB / DOH / AUH)
Passenger guidance (what travellers should do now)
The UK Civil Aviation Authority advises that many flights to/from the region are cancelled and passengers should check directly with their airline before travelling to the airport.
We also recommend travellers:
- Keep mobile numbers/contact details fully up to date on the booking
- Download and use airline apps for live updates
- Avoid tight connections where possible (rebook proactively if travel is essential)
- Keep receipts for any reasonable out-of-pocket costs if disrupted (hotel/meals/transport), as this may help with claims depending on routing and carrier obligations
How Principal Business Travel is supporting clients
We are:
- Monitoring airspace/airline updates continuously
- Reviewing all client itineraries involving travel to/from/transiting the region
- Contacting travellers directly where cancellations or major changes are confirmed
- Supporting rerouting, refunds, and alternative options where available
If you have travellers currently in transit, due to depart within the next 72 hours, or planning essential travel through the region, please contact us so we can review options.
Office hours: +44 1264 720188 | travel@principaltravel.co.uk
Last updated: 2 March 2026 – 11:25 GMT
Overview
There is currently increased geopolitical volatility across parts of the Middle East. While travel is continuing, there have been operational adjustments affecting certain routes and airspace within the region.
At present, most major international hubs remain open and operational. However, airlines are reviewing routings and schedules on an ongoing basis.
Principal Business Travel is actively monitoring all client bookings involving travel to, from, or transiting through the region.
What We Are Monitoring
We are closely tracking:
- Airspace restrictions and NOTAM updates
- Airline route diversions and schedule changes
- Extended flight times due to rerouting
- Temporary suspension of selected services
- Airport security or operational advisories
Airlines may adjust routes at short notice in response to official aviation guidance. This may result in longer journey times or revised connection points.
What This Means for Business Travellers
Travellers should be aware of:
- Possible last-minute schedule adjustments
- Longer flight durations due to rerouting
- Increased security screening at some airports
- The need for additional connection time where possible
At this stage, widespread cancellations are not in effect across the region, but flexibility is advisable.
Our Advice to Clients
We recommend that organisations:
- Ensure traveller mobile numbers and contact details are up to date
- Allow additional transit time for connections
- Encourage travellers to download airline apps for live notifications
- Check passport validity (minimum 6 months remaining is advisable)
- Review travel insurance coverage for disruption
If you are planning new travel into the region, we are happy to provide routing guidance before ticketing.
How Principal Is Supporting You
- Proactively reviewing all current bookings in affected areas
- Contacting travellers where schedules are impacted
- Monitoring airline updates in real time
- Providing rebooking support where required
- Maintaining 24/7 emergency assistance
From airspace closures to airport power outages, global travel disruption is not new to us. Our focus remains the same: calm, informed, human support when it matters most.
We understand that uncertainty can cause concern for travellers and their families. If you would like to discuss any upcoming journeys, our team is always available to talk things through.
