3 min readNew DelhiUpdated: Mar 2, 2026 02:54 PM IST
As the Middle East remains mired in conflict after Israel and US jointly attacked Iran, air travel across the globe is severely hit. The war has shuttered airports in the region, leaving hundreds of thousands of travellers starnded at the airports and hotels, with no word on when they would reopen.
With air spaces closed in West Asia, several airlines have suspended their flight operations for indefinite periods.
✈️ Middle East Crisis: Dubai Airport Effectively Shut
Iran struck the UAE in retaliation to US-Israel attacks — forcing Dubai International Airport to shut down operations
Dubai International Airport (DXB)
Departures Cancelled
435
Flights grounded
Arrivals Cancelled
395
Flights diverted/cancelled
Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH)
Departures Cancelled
121
Flights grounded
Arrivals Cancelled
123
Flights diverted/cancelled
Source: FlightAware | As of 1:40 PM IST
According to flight tracking website FlightAware, Middle Eastern carriers Emirates, Etihad Airways, Fly Dubai and Qatar Airways are among the hardest-affected airlines that have thrown the global aviation industry into chaos, Out of a total of over 6,000 flights cancelled today, Emirates recorded most number of cancellations at 485 while Etihad Airways, FlyDubai and Qatar have respectively 190, 181 and 106 of their flights cancelled today as of 1.40 pm IST.
Indian budget carrier that flies people to destinations like Doha, Fubai, and Abu Dhabi is the worst-hit non-Middle Eastern airline with 129 flights cancelled today so far, followed by Air India that cancelled 28 flights.
🌍 6,000+ Flights Cancelled: Top 10 Most-Affected Airlines
Middle Eastern carriers dominate the list | As of 1:40 PM IST
↕ Scroll to view all | ME Middle East IN India
Source: FlightAware | As of 1:40 PM IST
Dubai International airport that has been shut after Iran struck United Arab Emirates (UAE) as part of retaliation to US-Israel attacks saw most number of flight cancellations. As many as 435 flights that were supposed to fly from the aiport were cancelled on Monday so far while 395 flights that were scheduled to land there were cancelled. Dimilarly Abu Dhabi airport saw 121 cancellations as origin and 123 as destination aiport respectively.
5 Origin airports with most number of flight cancellations
5 Destination airports with most number flight cancellations
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