Middle East airspace reopens for limited flights; Ben Gurion Airport closed until March 7
UAE airports approved limited evacuation flights starting March 3 at 1500 UAE time (1300 UTC) after a 48-hour shutdown triggered by US-Israel strikes on Iran that killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on February 28, 2026. Emirates and Etihad resume restricted operations, but Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport remains closed until at least March 6-7, Air India extended suspensions to West Asia through March 2, and over 2,800 Middle East flights were canceled March 1 alone. Travelers with bookings to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Tel Aviv, Riyadh, Doha, or connecting through these hubs face immediate cancellations or multi-day delays.
India launched a major evacuation effort mirroring its 2020 pandemic repatriation of 1 million citizens, while 58,000 Indonesians and 30,000 Germans remain stranded across Saudi Arabia and the Gulf. This article covers which airlines resumed service, how long closures will last, and what stranded passengers should do in the next 24-48 hours.
The Middle East air travel crisis entered its fourth day on March 3 as UAE authorities granted “exceptional approval” for evacuation flights from Dubai and Abu Dhabi, ending a total shutdown that stranded tens of thousands of passengers across the Gulf region. Emirates resumed limited operations at 1500 UAE time (1300 UTC), while Etihad began restricted service from Abu Dhabi under the same timeline.
The disruption stems from US-Israel military strikes on Iran on February 28 that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, triggering Iranian missile retaliation and forcing Gulf states to close airspace for civilian traffic. Iraqi and Jordanian airspace shut down for 48+ hours starting March 2 evening, while Saudi Arabia restricted operations through Riyadh and Jeddah.
Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport remains closed until at least March 6-7 per active NOTAMs. El Al suspended ticket sales through March 21 and is prioritizing evacuation of stranded passengers via land routes to Egypt and Jordan. Air India extended its suspension of flights to UAE, Saudi Arabia, Israel, and Qatar through 2359 IST March 2 (1829 UTC), while IndiGo and SpiceJet halted all West Asia operations through the same date.
The scale is staggering: over 2,800 flights canceled on March 1 alone, with Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi and Singapore’s Changi airports each reporting 32 cancellations affecting Asia-Pacific routes. Air India canceled 350+ flights to the Gulf, stranding passengers on India-UAE, India-Saudi, and connecting routes to Europe and North America.
Which airlines are flying and which remain grounded
Emirates and Etihad began limited evacuation operations from Dubai and Abu Dhabi at 1500 UAE time March 3, but only for passengers with existing bookings and government-approved repatriation flights. Full commercial service has no confirmed restart date. Travel Tomorrow’s airline-by-airline tracker shows Qatar Airways suspended all Doha operations indefinitely, while Air France and KLM canceled Dubai and Riyadh flights through at least March 5.
Virgin Atlantic rerouted all flights to avoid Iraqi and Iranian airspace through March 6, adding 45-90 minutes to London-Asia routes. Air India diverted some Europe-bound flights via Rome technical stops to bypass the Gulf entirely, though this adds 3-4 hours to total journey time. IndiGo offered rebooking or full refunds for West Asia flights through its app, with no change fees for bookings made before March 1.
El Al is using land evacuation routes from Tel Aviv to Egypt’s Taba border crossing and Jordan’s Allenby Bridge, then flying passengers out of Cairo and Amman. The airline warned this process takes 12-18 hours and requires valid Egyptian or Jordanian transit visas, which Israeli passport holders cannot obtain on arrival.
India’s evacuation mirrors 2020 pandemic effort
India’s Ministry of External Affairs activated the same repatriation framework used during COVID-19, when it brought home over 1 million citizens in six months. The current operation targets an estimated 9 million Indian nationals working in the Gulf, though the government has not disclosed how many requested evacuation. Indonesia reported 58,000 citizens stranded in Saudi Arabia alone, while Germany confirmed 30,000 nationals across UAE, Qatar, and Oman awaiting government-chartered flights.
How long the disruption will last
Aviation analysts warn this could stretch for weeks without a ceasefire, unlike weather-driven disruptions that resolve in 48-72 hours. The 2010 Iceland volcanic ash crisis grounded European flights for six days; this is geopolitically driven with no clear end date. Israeli authorities extended Ben Gurion’s closure twice already, from an initial March 4 target to the current March 6-7 estimate.
UAE’s “exceptional approval” for evacuation flights does not signal imminent full reopening. Emirates and Etihad are operating under strict government quotas, prioritizing repatriation over commercial traffic. Air India’s March 2 deadline for West Asia suspensions may extend again if Iraqi and Jordanian airspace remains closed beyond 48 hours.
The wildcard is Iranian airspace, which remains militarized and off-limits to all civilian traffic. Europe-Asia routes that normally overfly Iran — including London-Bangkok, Paris-Singapore, and Frankfurt-Delhi — now detour south over Saudi Arabia or north over Turkey, adding 60-120 minutes to flight times and burning extra fuel that could force unscheduled refueling stops.
What stranded passengers should do now
- Check real-time status via airline apps or FlightAware every 6 hours — NOTAMs and airspace closures update without advance notice. Air India, Emirates, and IndiGo are texting rebooking options to affected passengers.
- Rebook immediately if your flight is canceled. Air India is routing some passengers via Rome technical stops; Emirates is offering Dubai-Europe connections through Istanbul or Athens. Do not wait for the airline to contact you — call centers are overwhelmed with 4-6 hour hold times.
- Register for government evacuation if you are a US, Canadian, EU, Australian, or New Zealand citizen stranded in Israel, UAE, or Saudi Arabia. US Embassy shuttles operate from Egypt’s Taba and Sharm el-Sheikh borders; UK Foreign Office has a dedicated hotline; Indian nationals use the MEA’s evacuation portal.
- Avoid rebooking through Gulf hubs for the next 7-10 days. Routes via Istanbul, Athens, or Rome are operating normally. If you have a March 4-10 booking connecting through Dubai, Doha, or Abu Dhabi, reroute now before alternative flights sell out.
Can I get a refund if my airline cancels my Middle East flight?
Yes. EU Regulation 261/2004, US DOT rules, and Australian Consumer Law all require full refunds for airline-initiated cancellations, regardless of ticket type. Airlines must offer rebooking or refund within 7 days. Do not accept vouchers unless you prefer them — cash refunds are your legal right.
Will travel insurance cover costs if I’m stranded in Dubai or Tel Aviv?
Only if you purchased a policy before February 28 that includes “civil unrest” or “government-mandated closures.” Standard policies exclude war and military action. Trip interruption coverage may reimburse hotel costs up to policy limits, but you must file claims with receipts within 30 days. Check your policy’s “named perils” section.
Are Asia-Europe flights affected even if they don’t stop in the Middle East?
Yes, if they normally overfly Iranian, Iraqi, or Jordanian airspace. London-Bangkok, Paris-Singapore, Frankfurt-Delhi, and Amsterdam-Kuala Lumpur routes are detouring south or north, adding 60-120 minutes. This can cause missed connections at Asian hubs with tight 90-minute minimums. Check your airline’s route map for detours.
How do I know if my government is running evacuation flights?
Register with your embassy or consulate immediately. US citizens use the STEP program; Canadians use Registration of Canadians Abroad; Australians use Smartraveller; UK citizens contact the Foreign Office. India’s MEA portal is open to all Indian passport holders. Registration does not guarantee a seat — governments prioritize vulnerable groups and families with children.
Should I cancel my April trip to Dubai or wait to see if the situation improves?
Wait until March 10 before canceling. Airlines are waiving change fees for bookings made before March 1, so you can rebook closer to departure without penalty. If airspace remains closed past March 15, the conflict is likely to drag into April. Monitor IATA’s crisis page and your airline’s travel advisories weekly.
