US and Israeli strikes on Iran: regional and international flights disrupted
US and Israeli strikes on Iran: regional and international flights disrupted
On Saturday, attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran caused widespread disruption to air travel across multiple regions. Airspace closures in several countries led to the suspension of flights, forcing airlines to cancel routes or divert aircraft. The impact extended beyond the Middle East, affecting international travelers with plans to or from impacted areas.
Airspace closures and flight adjustments
Several nations, including Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, closed their airspace as a precaution. This action disrupted flights en route to Israel, prompting rerouting to alternative airports. Meanwhile, carriers like Emirates and Etihad faced cancellations due to the UAE’s airspace closure, with both airlines advising passengers to monitor their flight status regularly.
Qatar Airways Group announced that flights to Doha would be temporarily suspended until midnight UTC, equivalent to 1:00 am CET on Sunday. In addition, other regional airlines from Egypt suspended services to multiple destinations, such as Kuwait, Dubai, Doha, and Bahrain, due to the escalating situation.
Damage reported in Kuwait
The General Authority of Civil Aviation in Kuwait confirmed that its international airport was struck by a drone on Saturday. The incident resulted in minor injuries to some staff and limited damage to the passenger terminal building.
European and global airline responses
German airline Lufthansa canceled flights to several Middle East destinations, including Tel Aviv and Beirut, until 7 March. Similarly, Dutch airline KLM had already announced it would suspend services to Tel Aviv starting Sunday. In Italy, ITA Airways halted flights to and from Tel Aviv, avoiding Israeli, Lebanese, Jordanian, Iraqi, and Iranian airspace until 7 March.
French carrier Air France canceled flights to Tel Aviv and Beirut scheduled for 28 February, while Polish airline LOT suspended its services to the same destination. British Airways also paused flights to the region, including Tel Aviv, amid the ongoing tensions. Virgin Atlantic, which had previously avoided flying over Iran, canceled its route from Heathrow to Dubai and planned to bypass Iraq in its flights.
Additional disruptions in Asia and Russia
Indian airline Air India suspended services to Iran and Israel, rerouting flights to bypass affected airspace. SriLankan Airlines reported that all departures from Colombo to the Middle East were canceled until midday on 1 March. Russian carriers also followed suit, suspending flights to Iran and Israel in line with guidance from the Russian Ministry of Transport.
“With the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, many airlines are adjusting their schedules to mitigate risks. Passengers on delayed or canceled flights may not receive compensation under current conditions. However, those traveling with UK or EU airlines, or departing from UK or EU airports, should expect assistance during delays, which could include meals and overnight stays if needed. If a flight is canceled, a full refund is guaranteed,” said Ella Jo Rhodes, a travel expert at Which? in the UK.
