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Over 900 flights were cancelled or delayed across major Middle Eastern airports on Tuesday as escalating geopolitical tensions—including Iran’s retaliatory strike on a U.S. base—triggered widespread operational disruption. Leading airlines affected include Air France, Qatar Airways, Emirates, Saudia, Japan Airlines, Wizz Air, United Airlines, and Etihad Airways.
The turmoil hit key aviation hubs such as Dubai, Riyadh, Doha, Abu Dhabi, and Bahrain. Airlines responded by rerouting or grounding flights to ensure the safety of passengers and crew, while airport authorities faced logistical chaos amid heightened security alerts.
Flight Disruption Summary by Airport
| Airport | Flight Cancellations | Flight Delays | Key Affected Airlines |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai (DXB) | 45 | 237 | Emirates, FlyDubai, Air India, Wizz Air Malta, Air France |
| Doha (DOH) | 23 | 125 | Qatar Airways, American Airlines, Japan Airlines, Garuda Indonesia |
| Riyadh (RUH) | 11 | 42 | Saudia, Air France, Flynas, Etihad Airways |
| Jeddah (JED) | 20 | 33 | Saudia, Akasa Air, Air India, Gulf Air |
| Bahrain (BAH) | 8 | 30 | Gulf Air, FlyDubai, Etihad, IndiGO |
| Abu Dhabi (AUH) | 6 | 112 | Etihad Airways, Gulf Air, Air India, Royal Jordanian |
| Amman (AMM) | 15 | 40 | Royal Jordanian, Saudia, FlyDubai, Kuwait Airways |
| Tel Aviv (TLV) | 11 | 2 | El Al, Georgian Airways, Air France, TAROM |
| Makassar (UPG) | 7 | 161 | Lion Air, Batik Air, Citilink, Wings Abadi |
Key Airline Impacts
- Emirates: 106 delays (no cancellations)
- Qatar Airways: 103 delays
- Etihad Airways: 91 delays
- FlyDubai: 70 delays, 2 cancellations
- Gulf Air: 6 cancellations, 25 delays
- Air India: 15+ cancellations
- Saudia: 15 disruptions (cancellations & delays)
Total Disruption
- Cancellations: 147
- Delays: 782
- Combined Impact: 929 flights
Background
The wave of disruptions comes amid rising military tension following Iran’s missile strike on a U.S. military facility in the region. While no-fly zones have not been officially declared in most areas, unpredictable airspace conditions have forced airlines to act cautiously.
The Gulf region, a major hub for intercontinental travel, is now facing a significant operational crisis. Airline schedules remain on rolling advisories, with continued disruption likely as security and diplomatic conditions evolve.
