Airspace restrictions keep Middle East flight operations under pressure across major hubs

Air travel across the Middle East is operating in slow motion. Regional airspace closures linked to the escalating US–Israel–Iran conflict have forced airlines to slash schedules across key Gulf hubs, leaving thousands of passengers stranded and pushing airlines into emergency operating mode. Major aviation gateways, including Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait and Bahrain, remain far from normal operations as carriers navigate security risks and shifting airspace restrictions. Since late February, large parts of the region's flight network have effectively been paused, with airlines cancelling or rescheduling hundreds of services while governments assess the safety of flight corridors. For passengers, the result has been a familiar airport scene: long waits, uncertain departures and constant flight updates.

Airports running far below normal capacity

The disruption is most visible at the region's largest hubs. Dubai International Airport — normally the world's busiest international airport — warned passengers not to travel to the terminal unless their airline had confirmed the flight was operating. Airport authorities said most scheduled flights remain suspended while airlines rebuild limited schedules. Flight-tracking data from Flightradar24 shows how dramatic the slowdown has been. Traffic at Dubai airport has recovered slightly but remains at roughly 25% of normal levels, underscoring how far the system is from stabilising. Other hubs across the Gulf are facing similar pressures. Bahrain's national carrier Gulf Air has temporarily suspended flights due to airspace closures, while operations at Doha's Hamad International Airport remain restricted as authorities review regional flight safety. The ripple effects extend beyond the Gulf itself. Around 180 international flights from India's major metro airports — Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru — were cancelled because of Middle East airspace restrictions, according to people familiar with the matter cited by PTI.

Airlines restart limited services

Airlines are cautiously trying to rebuild schedules, though most carriers are operating only a fraction of their normal capacity. Etihad Airways has resumed a limited commercial flight schedule from Abu Dhabi, connecting the UAE capital with selected destinations across Asia, Europe and North America until at least 19 March. Passengers with existing bookings are being gradually re-accommodated on these services. Emirates, however, has extended the suspension of flights to and from Dubai through 7 March as the airline waits for greater clarity on regional airspace conditions. Qatar Airways has taken a hybrid approach. The airline has organised relief flights to help stranded passengers leave the region, while maintaining limited commercial operations where possible. Indian airlines are also cautiously returning to the skies. Budget carrier IndiGo has restarted several routes to West Asian destinations, including Jeddah, Muscat and Abu Dhabi, while operating special repatriation flights to the United Arab Emirates. Air India said it had resumed services to Jeddah and Muscat after Saudi Arabian and Omani airspace was deemed safe. The airline is also running additional international flights to destinations such as Toronto, Frankfurt and Paris as it adjusts its network. Despite these efforts, large numbers of travellers remain stranded across Gulf cities, including Dubai, Kuwait and Bahrain. Governments have begun stepping in. Countries including India, the United States, France and Spain have organised evacuation flights and charter services to bring citizens home. Italy's foreign ministry said about 2,500 Italian nationals had returned from Abu Dhabi, Riyadh and Muscat on commercial flights facilitated by the government.

Markets feel the shock

The disruption is also rippling through global aviation markets. Airline stocks across the Asia-Pacific region fell as investors assessed the potential financial impact of the conflict. Shares of Qantas Airways dropped more than 3%, Air New Zealand fell nearly 7%, while Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines also slipped, according to market data cited by Mint. Fuel markets are adding to the pressure. Traders told Mint that Singapore jet fuel prices climbed to a record $225 per barrel, reflecting fears that supply disruptions from Middle Eastern refiners could tighten global aviation fuel markets. Meanwhile, the aviation map itself is shifting. Azerbaijan recently closed part of its southern airspace following drone strikes near Nakhchivan airport, highlighting how the conflict is expanding the number of restricted flight corridors. For airlines, the challenge now is managing a crisis that sits at the intersection of geopolitics and global transport. Until regional airspace stabilises, airlines are likely to continue operating reduced schedules, relief flights and ad-hoc route adjustments. For passengers hoping for normal travel again, the message from airlines remains blunt: keep checking your flight status — and pack a little extra patience.