Daijiworld Media Network - Dubai

Dubai, Feb 28: Global airlines have suspended and rerouted flights across the Middle East after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran, triggering a fresh military confrontation in the region on Saturday, February 28.

Flight tracking data showed the airspace over Iran and Iraq nearly empty as Israel confirmed it had carried out strikes, while the US military initiated a series of attacks on targets inside Iran. In response, Iran reportedly launched a barrage of missiles.

Following the escalation, Iran, Israel, Iraq and Jordan announced the closure of their airspace. Aircraft were seen diverting away from affected zones, significantly disrupting air traffic between Europe and Asia. With Russian and Ukrainian airspace already restricted due to the ongoing war, Middle Eastern corridors have become critical routes for international airlines.

Major airlines halt services

Several international carriers immediately suspended or adjusted operations:

• Lufthansa temporarily suspended flights to and from Dubai for Saturday and Sunday, and halted services to Tel Aviv, Beirut and Oman until March 7.

• Air France cancelled flights to and from Tel Aviv and Beirut.

• KLM cancelled its Amsterdam–Tel Aviv flight scheduled for Saturday, advancing an earlier suspension plan.

• Wizz Air suspended flights to and from Israel, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Amman until March 7.

• Iberia cancelled flights to Tel Aviv.

• Virgin Atlantic announced it would avoid Iraqi airspace, leading to flight rerouting.

• Qatar Airways temporarily halted air traffic as a precaution, with several aircraft seen circling before returning to Qatari airspace.

• Russia’s Ministry of Transport said Russian airlines had suspended flights to Iran and Israel.

• Kuwait’s aviation authority halted all flights to Iran until further notice.

• Oman Air suspended flights to Baghdad.

• The United Arab Emirates partially and temporarily closed its airspace as a precaution, impacting some flydubai services.

Growing operational concerns

The renewed hostilities have raised serious safety concerns for commercial aviation. Airlines are increasingly burdened by conflict zones, as aerial strikes heighten fears of accidental or deliberate attacks on civilian aircraft. Longer alternate routes also mean increased fuel consumption and operational costs.

The latest developments have dimmed hopes of a diplomatic resolution to Iran’s nuclear dispute with Western nations and added fresh uncertainty to global travel and aviation networks.

Authorities and airlines are closely monitoring the situation, with further flight disruptions expected if tensions persist.