Cancellations of flights to the Middle East: The escalation of the war involving the United States and Israel in Iran has Flight operations severely disrupted throughout the Middle East.stranding tens of thousands of travelers and prompting widespread airspace closures, cancellations and emergency repatriation efforts.
With retaliatory attacks on the Gulf States expanding, aviation experts warn that uncertainty remains high and disruptions could continue in the coming days and weeks, with knock-on effects that would extend far beyond the region.
Since the joint US-Israel strikes over the weekend, retaliatory strikes and rapid developments on the ground have created volatile conditions across the region. Iran has declared that hundreds of people have been killed.
Airspace closures in several Middle Eastern countries have forced airlines to cancel services or divert planes on significantly longer routes. As Gulf airports serve as major international transit hubs linking Europe, Africa and Asia, these operational changes are having global consequences.
According to an Associated Press report, long-haul airlines including Etihad Airways, Emirates and Qatar Airways have temporarily suspended certain routes, citing airspace closures and safety requirements.
Reports from Cirium and Flightradar24, which track global flight movements, have cited figures of approximately 1,500 to 2,000 cancellations per day across the region since the escalation began on February 28.
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Travel advisories and evacuation orders
The US State Department has urged all US citizens to immediately leave Iran and Israel, as well as Qatar, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, the Palestinian territories, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen using any available commercial transportation, the AP reported.
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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called on the media to help publicize evacuation options for Americans.
A woman reacts after reuniting with her children, who were stranded in Dubai, upon arrival at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai on Tuesday. (AP Photo)
Meanwhile, China, Italy, France and Germany have begun evacuation efforts for their citizens. Travelers are advised to closely monitor updates from embassies, government advisories, airports and airlines.
Given the magnitude of cancellations and the number of stranded passengers, experts recommend reconsidering or postponing non-essential travel whenever possible.
Refunds, rebooking and travel insurance
Many airlines offer refunds or free rebooking options, although these are usually limited to specific dates and routes. Travelers are advised to carefully review airline policies and consider purchasing refundable tickets for future travel to maintain flexibility.
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Suzanne Morrow, CEO of InsureMyTrip, noted that acts of war and civil unrest are typically excluded from coverage due to their unpredictability, the AP reported. If an airline offers rebooking or refunds, additional claims may not be available, the report further mentions.
The AP also cited Christina Tunnah of World Nomads Travel Insurance, who stated that most policies exclude losses resulting from acts of war. Some compensation may be available under “cancel for any reason” plans, but only if the cancellation occurs within specific time frames.
Longer routes, rising costs and expensive tickets
Beyond outright cancellations, airlines are now navigating longer alternative routes to avoid conflict zones and restricted airspace.
Industry rules require airlines to pay overflight fees when they pass through other nations’ airspace, further driving up costs. These expanded flight paths increase fuel consumption and operating expenses.
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A woman arrives at the airport after being evacuated from the Middle East on a government flight, in Prague, Czech Republic, on Tuesday. (AP Photo)
Crude oil prices are closely tied to jet fuel costs, which accounted for about 30 percent of airline operating expenses in 2024, according to research by the International Air Transport Association, the AP reported.
Passengers have already reported sharp increases in ticket prices. Experts say the immediate spikes largely reflect imbalances between supply and demand after thousands of flights were cancelled. Many next week routes are sold out or showing extremely high fares for remaining seats.
While prices for flights booked further in advance appear relatively lower at present, analysts warn that a prolonged conflict could quickly alter those conditions.
Repatriation flights and airline response
Repatriation efforts are accelerating amid growing pressure to help stranded travelers.
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France’s Foreign Minister announced that several repatriation flights are expected from the Middle East on Wednesday.
Indian airline SpiceJet confirmed it will operate eight special flights from Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday to bring stranded passengers home. The airline said it will offer four services to Delhi, three to Mumbai and one to Kochi.
On Tuesday, SpiceJet had already operated four special flights from Fujairah to Delhi, Mumbai and Kochi.
