US-Iran Conflict: Airline Flight Updates & Cancellations – Live News

The escalating conflict in the Middle East continues to disrupt global air travel, with airlines adjusting schedules and rerouting flights to avoid airspace closures. While many carriers have suspended operations in the region, some, like Air India, are adding capacity to assist passengers attempting to return home. The situation remains highly fluid, with airlines monitoring developments and adapting their plans accordingly.

Gulf Carrier Adjustments

Qatar Airways has announced a revised, limited schedule for flights to and from Doha, beginning March 18 and extending to March 28. The airline stated that these additions aim to provide more flexibility for passengers wishing to travel, but urged individuals to avoid traveling to the airport unless they hold a valid ticket. Bookings for the limited flights are available through the Qatar Airways website, mobile app, or travel agents. Passengers with bookings between February 28 and March 28 can request refunds or rebook flights up to April 30, free of charge, on Qatar Airways-operated services.

Oman Air continues to operate most flights as scheduled, though some routes are affected by regional airspace restrictions. Flights to and from Amman, Dubai, Bahrain, Doha, Dammam, Kuwait, Copenhagen, Baghdad and Khasab are currently cancelled until March 31. Passengers can manage their bookings via the Oman Air website or app, and the airline has apologized for the disruptions. Low-cost carrier SalamAir has similarly suspended flights to Kuwait City, Sharjah, Doha, and Dammam until March 31, with services to Iraq, Lebanon, and Iran suspended until April 30. To meet increased demand, SalamAir has increased daily flights between Muscat and Fujairah, departing Muscat at 8:30 am and 3:35 pm, with return flights from Fujairah at 9:55 am and 5:00 pm. Additional services to Cairo will operate between March 16 and March 27. SalamAir is also offering ticket sales at land border crossings between the UAE and Oman, in partnership with Godoba.

Gulf Air has suspended operations at Bahrain International Airport following the closure of Bahraini airspace. The airline is operating limited commercial flights from King Fahd International Airport in Dammam to facilitate passenger travel, with destinations including London, Mumbai, Bangkok, Frankfurt, and Nairobi available through March 28. Flexible booking options are available for affected passengers, allowing free rebookings on Gulf Air flights until June 15 for travel up to March 31, and refunds for tickets booked through March 21.

Saudia has partially resumed flight operations to and from Dubai, operating a reduced schedule between Riyadh and Dubai, and Jeddah and Dubai, with plans to gradually restore additional services. Flynas has extended the suspension of flights to Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Doha, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, and Syria until March 31.

Regional and International Responses

Kuwait Airways has suspended all commercial flights at Kuwait International Airport, but is operating special flights to help citizens return home, including services to Dammam allowing onward travel to Kuwait by land. Royal Jordanian is offering flexible travel options to passengers affected by cancellations, including free changes, rerouting within the same IATA zone, or non-refundable vouchers.

Virgin Atlantic has suspended its Dubai service through March 28, and flights to Riyadh are paused until March 25, working to support affected passengers with alternative arrangements. British Airways has temporarily reduced its Middle East schedule, operating eight repatriation flights from Muscat to London Heathrow, as well as additional flights from Singapore and Bangkok. Flights to Amman, Bahrain, Dubai, and Tel Aviv are suspended until May 31, with Doha flights suspended until April 30. The winter Abu Dhabi route is still scheduled to restart on October 25.

Air India and Air India Express are operating flights between India and the Middle East, utilizing open airspace over Saudi Arabia and Oman. Air India is maintaining scheduled return flights between Delhi and Jeddah, and from Mumbai, while Air India Express operates services to and from Kozhikode. Both airlines are operating non-scheduled flights from Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, and Jeddah to assist passengers returning to India, subject to slot availability. Affected passengers can rebook or request full refunds. The National News provides ongoing updates on flight disruptions in the UAE.

IndiGo is gradually restoring services to eight destinations in the region – Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Muscat, Jeddah, and Madinah – and has resumed services to Europe. However, flight operations in Dubai remain restricted, leading to schedule changes. Turkish Airlines is offering free changes and refunds for passengers traveling to or from Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia (Riyadh and Dammam), Syria, and the UAE, with tickets issued on or before February 28.

European carriers are also significantly impacted. KLM has adjusted its schedule, avoiding airspace over Iran, Iraq, Syria, and several Gulf countries, suspending flights to Dubai, Dammam, and Riyadh until March 28, and to Tel Aviv and Beirut until March 21. Air France has suspended flights from Dubai and Riyadh until March 20, and to Tel Aviv and Beirut until March 21. Swiss has suspended flights to Beirut, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Amman, and Erbil until March 28, and to Tel Aviv until April 2, with Tehran flights cancelled until April 30. Finnair has cancelled flights to and from Doha and Dubai until March 29, and is temporarily avoiding airspace over Iraq, Iran, Syria, and Israel. Cathay Pacific has suspended flights to and from Dubai until March 31, offering ticket waivers for affected passengers. Singapore Airlines flights to and from Dubai remain cancelled until March 28.

What’s Confirmed and What Remains Unclear

It is confirmed that the airspace closures are a direct response to the US and Israeli strikes on Iran, and that numerous airlines have suspended or rerouted flights as a result. The extent and duration of these disruptions are directly tied to the evolving security situation. What remains unclear is the precise timeline for the reopening of airspace and a return to normal flight operations. While some airlines are offering limited services or repatriation flights, the overall situation is unpredictable. The long-term impact on air travel patterns and airline profitability remains to be seen.

Looking Ahead: Procedural Next Steps

The immediate next steps involve continued monitoring of the geopolitical situation by airlines and aviation authorities. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) will likely issue updated guidance to airlines based on evolving risk assessments. Airlines will continue to adjust schedules and offer flexible booking options to accommodate affected passengers. Negotiations between regional and international stakeholders regarding airspace access and safe flight corridors will be crucial for restoring normalcy. The resumption of full flight operations will depend on a de-escalation of tensions and a clear indication that the region is safe for civilian air travel. Passengers are strongly advised to check with their airlines for the latest updates and to avoid non-essential travel to the affected areas.