Airlines across the Gulf region have suspended multiple flights to destinations in the Middle East after several countries closed their airspace in response to Israeli airstrikes on Iran.
Emirates, the region’s largest airline, announced the cancellation of services to and from Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Iran following the escalation. The airline’s website showed numerous flights scrapped for Friday, with at least one Tehran-bound flight on Saturday also cancelled.
Qatar Airways also confirmed it had temporarily suspended operations to Iran and Iraq, citing the deteriorating regional security situation.
Airports in the United Arab Emirates issued warnings of travel disruptions. Dubai International Airport (DXB) posted on social media that flights at both DXB and Al Maktoum International (DWC) were facing cancellations and delays due to the closure of airspace over Iran, Iraq, and Syria. Abu Dhabi Airport similarly cautioned travelers of expected disruptions throughout Friday.
Earlier in the day, both Jordan and Iraq, strategically located between Israel and Iran, closed their airspace and suspended all flights, following Israel’s missile barrage.
Jordan’s military reported intercepting drones and missiles that had entered its airspace, amid rising fears of regional spillover. Iran, responding to the Israeli attack, vowed its retaliation would be without limits.
The Israeli offensive reportedly targeted military and nuclear facilities in Iran, resulting in the deaths of top Iranian military and nuclear officials, including the armed forces’ chief of staff and key leaders from the Revolutionary Guards.
In retaliation, Iran launched a wave of around 100 drones, according to the Israeli military, which said it was actively working to intercept the incoming threats.
The situation remains fluid, and further air travel disruptions across the region are likely as tensions continue to rise.