US-Iran War Disrupts Global Air Travel: Airline Responses and Travel Updates

The ongoing US-Israeli war with Iran continues to cause significant disruption to global air travel, leading to widespread flight cancellations, reroutings, and airspace closures across the Middle East. As of March 17, 2026, airlines are adapting to a volatile situation, prioritizing passenger safety and complying with evolving regulatory directives. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the current status of airline operations in the region and guidance for affected travelers.

Current Situation and Regional Impact

The conflict, which began on February 28, prompted retaliatory Iranian missile and drone strikes, impacting air travel hubs throughout the Gulf region. Several countries have restricted or closed their airspace, forcing airlines to implement contingency plans and reroute flights, creating bottlenecks and leaving many travelers stranded. The Guardian reports that the conflict has created a 2.8m sq km (1.08m sq mile) gap in global airspace.

Airline-Specific Updates (as of March 17, 2026)

Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways announced a limited flight schedule to and from Doha, commencing on March 18 and continuing through March 28. Al Jazeera reports that the airline is working to reunite passengers with family and loved ones. Qatar Airways has suspended operations due to the closure of Qatari airspace and will resume full operations once the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority deems it safe to reopen. Passengers with bookings between February 28 and March 28 can request a refund or change their travel date with complimentary rebookings permitted up to April 30 on flights operated by the airline.

Oman Air

Most Oman Air flights continue to operate, though some routes are affected by regional airspace closures. Flights to and from Amman, Dubai, Bahrain, Doha, Dammam, Kuwait, Copenhagen, Baghdad, and Khasab are cancelled until March 31. Passengers can manage their bookings through the Oman Air website or mobile app.

SalamAir

SalamAir has suspended flights to and from Kuwait City, Sharjah, Doha, and Dammam until March 31, and services to and from Iraq, Lebanon, and Iran until April 30. The airline has increased daily flights between Muscat and Fujairah until March 31. Additional services to Cairo will operate between March 16 and March 27. SalamAir is also providing ticket sales at land border crossings between the UAE and Oman.

Gulf Air

Bahrain’s national carrier has suspended operations at Bahrain International Airport following the country’s airspace closure. Limited commercial flights are temporarily operating from King Fahd International Airport in Dammam to destinations including London, Mumbai, Bangkok, Frankfurt, and Nairobi until March 28. Passengers with tickets for travel dates up to March 31 may rebook free of charge on Gulf Air-operated flights until June 15, or request a refund without fees for travel until March 21.

Saudia

Saudia has partially resumed flight operations to and from Dubai, operating a limited number of services between Riyadh and Dubai and Jeddah and Dubai.

Flynas

Flynas has extended the suspension of flights to and from Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Doha, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, and Syria until March 31.

Kuwait Airways

All commercial flights at Kuwait International Airport remain suspended, though special flights are operating to support citizens return home, with services operating to nearby airports in the region allowing travelers to continue their journey to Kuwait by land through Saudi Arabia.

International Airlines

• Virgin Atlantic: Suspended Dubai service until March 28, and Riyadh service until March 25.
• British Airways: Reduced its flying schedule in the Middle East. Flights to Amman, Bahrain, Dubai, and Tel Aviv remain suspended until May 31. Doha flights are suspended until April 30.
• Air India & Air India Express: Operating scheduled and non-scheduled services to and from Jeddah and Muscat. Additional flights from Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, and Jeddah are operating to help travelers return to India.
• IndiGo: Gradually restoring services to Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Muscat, Jeddah, and Madinah.
• Turkish Airlines: Offering free changes or refunds for tickets issued on or before February 28 for travel until May 10.
• KLM: Adjusted its schedule, avoiding airspace over Iran, Iraq, Israel, and several Gulf countries. Suspended flights to and from Dubai, Dammam, and Riyadh until March 28, and to Tel Aviv until April 11.
• Lufthansa Group: Suspended flights to Dammam until March 17, and to Beirut, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Amman, and Erbil until March 28. Services to Tel Aviv are suspended until April 2, and to Tehran until April 30.
• American Airlines: Issued a travel waiver for flights to and through Abu Dhabi, Amman, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai, and Larnaca.
• United Airlines: Cancelled flights between the US, Tel Aviv, and Dubai until March 31.
• Royal Jordanian: Offering flexible travel options, including free changes, rerouting, or non-refundable vouchers.
• Air France: Suspended flights from Dubai and Riyadh until March 20, and to and from Tel Aviv and Beirut until March 21.
• Swiss: Suspended flights to Beirut, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Amman, and Erbil until March 28, and to Tel Aviv until April 2, and to Tehran until April 30.
• Finnair: Cancelled flights to and from Doha and Dubai until March 29.
• Cathay Pacific: Suspended flights to and from Dubai until March 31.
• Singapore Airlines: Cancelled flights to and from Dubai until March 28.

Traveler Guidance

Passengers are strongly advised to check with their respective airlines for the latest flight status and booking options. It is also recommended to avoid traveling to airports unless holding a valid ticket. Flexibility in travel plans is crucial during this period of disruption.