At 0200 EST on Saturday, 28 February 2026, the US and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iran in what’s being known as Operation Epic Fury.
Inside hours, the results could possibly be seen each on the bottom and within the air.
Flight monitoring maps confirmed virtually empty skies over Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Israel, and Bahrain after the strikes started and Iran responded with missiles. One of many world’s busiest air corridors rapidly emptied.
Witnesses instructed Reuters they heard explosions in cities throughout the Gulf, equivalent to Doha, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai. As navy exercise elevated, governments within the area began closing their airspace to civilian flights.
This led to a collection of aviation shutdowns throughout the area.
Airspace Closures Unfold Throughout the Area
By noon Saturday, a lot of the Center East had both closed or closely restricted civilian flights.
International locations which have totally closed their airspace:
IranIsraelIraqKuwaitBahrainQatarJordan
International locations reporting restrictions or partial closures:
United Arab EmiratesSyria (southern corridors)Oman
The European Union Aviation Security Company (EASA) suggested airways to keep away from flying in a number of affected areas due to the dangers from ongoing navy operations.
Flight monitoring providers confirmed a fast and dramatic change, as flights that often crossed the Gulf have been compelled to detour far north or south. The conventional circulate of long-haul jets between Europe and Asia vanished from the map.
Gulf Megahubs Grind to a Halt
The closure of main Gulf airports had the largest affect.
Dubai Worldwide Airport (DXB), the world’s busiest for worldwide journey, suspended all flights “till additional discover,” together with Al Maktoum Worldwide Airport (DWC). In a press release, Dubai Airports instructed passengers to not come to the airport and to contact their airways straight.
Dubai Worldwide dealt with practically 100 million passengers final yr, in accordance with Reuters. On Saturday, most departures have been canceled.
At Doha’s Hamad Worldwide Airport (DOH), gates have been virtually empty as stranded passengers waited to rebook flights or discover lodge rooms, in accordance with a Reuters witness.
Kuwait Worldwide Airport (KWI) was additionally impacted. Authorities stated an Iranian drone strike precipitated some injury to a passenger terminal and minor accidents, resulting in the postponement of all arrivals and departures.
Etihad Airways suspended departures from Abu Dhabi’s Zayed Worldwide Airport (AUH) till not less than 1000 GMT Sunday. Emirates and flydubai additionally suspended flights to and from Dubai due to the airspace closures. The airways instructed crew members to examine their schedules for adjustments and let stranded employees use firm telephones to contact household.
“You will have crews, planes, and passengers stranded all around the world. It’s a large logistical nightmare,” a Gulf airline spokesperson instructed Reuters.
Airways Droop, Reroute, Cancel
The disruption quickly affected areas outdoors the Center East as effectively.
Preliminary knowledge from Cirium, reported by Reuters, confirmed that about 24 p.c of flights to the Center East have been cancelled on 28 February. About half of flights to Qatar and Israel have been canceled, and about 28 p.c of flights to Kuwait have been canceled.
You will have crews, planes, and passengers stranded all around the world. It’s a large logistical nightmare.
A Gulf airline supply by way of Reuters
Main airways saying suspensions or cancellations embrace:
Lufthansa: Suspending Dubai flights for the weekend and halting Tel Aviv, Beirut, and Oman routes till 7 MarchBritish Airways: Canceling Tel Aviv and Bahrain flights till 3 MarchAir France and KLM: Cancelling Tel Aviv and Beirut servicesWizz Air: Suspending Israel, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Amman routesRussian carriers: Suspending flights to Iran and IsraelVirgin Atlantic: Avoiding Iraqi airspace and rerouting flights
In the US, Delta Air Traces and United Airways suspended flights to Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) in Tel Aviv and DXB. American Airways’ Doha flights have been affected. All three carriers issued waivers permitting clients to rebook with out change charges via 5 March.
A Rising World Ripple Impact
The Center East is a vital hyperlink between Europe and Asia. When this route is closed, the results attain far past the area and will be felt worldwide.
Flights now must take longer routes round restricted airspace, which provides hours to journey time and makes use of extra gasoline. Plane and crews are usually not the place they must be. Cargo shipments are delayed, and there are rising considerations about insurance coverage and safety.
The area grew to become much more necessary for east-west flights after airways started avoiding Russian and Ukrainian airspace because of the battle. Dropping one other important hall makes world air visitors much more crowded.
Safety consultants warn that these airspace closures might proceed for a while.
“Passengers and airways can anticipate airspace to be shut for fairly a while within the area. The affect on regional aviation is instant and extremely fluid,” Eric Schouten, head of aviation safety advisory Dyami, instructed Reuters.
As of Saturday night, there was no timeline for reopening main Gulf airports. Army operations and retaliatory strikes stay ongoing.
