Middle East Airspace Closures Disrupt International Flights, Leaving Thousands Stranded

A rapidly evolving security and political situation in the Middle East has triggered widespread disruption to international air travel, after several countries temporarily closed their airspace on Saturday.

The move has led to extensive cancellations and delays on flights bound for Europe, Canada and the United States, significantly affecting thousands of passengers and sending shockwaves through the global aviation network, according to international media reports.

Kuwait Suspends Airspace Operations

Kuwait’s civil aviation authority announced the temporary closure of airspace at Kuwait International Airport, citing precautionary measures in response to regional security developments.

Abdullah Al-Rajhi, spokesperson for Kuwait’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation, said the decision had been taken to ensure the safety of passengers, airlines and airport operations. He added that authorities were closely monitoring the situation in coordination with both local agencies and international partners.

As a result, Kuwait-based Jazeera Airways announced that all of its flights would be suspended or delayed until further notice. The airline urged passengers travelling to or from Kuwait not to proceed to the airport until they received updated instructions from the company.

Indian and Gulf Carriers Cancel Flights

India’s largest airline, IndiGo, confirmed that all flights to and from the Middle East were cancelled until midnight on Saturday due to restrictions affecting Iranian and surrounding regional airspace. The carrier said affected passengers would be offered alternative travel arrangements or full refunds.

In the United Arab Emirates, Dubai-based flydubai cancelled several services scheduled for 28 February and temporarily suspended selected operations. Meanwhile, Emirates confirmed that flights arriving in and departing from Dubai had been halted temporarily because of airspace closures across the region. Both airlines said they were working closely with relevant authorities and continuously reviewing developments.

Saudi Arabia’s national carrier, Saudia, also announced the suspension or cancellation of certain flights in line with aviation safety standards. The airline said its emergency coordination centre was monitoring the situation closely.

Similarly, Qatar Airways suspended flights to and from Doha after Qatari airspace was temporarily closed.

India’s low-cost carrier Akasa Air confirmed it had suspended all services to and from Abu Dhabi, Doha and Jeddah for 28 February.

Nepal and Dubai Airports Issue Advisories

Nepal’s private carrier Himalaya Airlines said all flights to Dubai, Dammam and Doha had been cancelled until further notice.

Dubai Airports instructed all airlines operating from its two major hubs — Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport — to suspend check-in procedures until 03:00 local time on Sunday (1 March). The Airport Operations Control Centre said it was continuously assessing the situation.

In Nepal, Tribhuvan International Airport warned that international flights could face delays, rescheduling or cancellations due to the Middle East airspace restrictions. Passengers were advised to confirm their flight status directly with their respective airlines before travelling to the airport.

Qatar’s Civil Aviation Authority also confirmed a temporary suspension of air traffic in Qatari airspace, citing regional security concerns.

Safety Prioritised Amid Regional Uncertainty

Airlines and aviation authorities across the region have repeatedly stressed that passenger and crew safety remains their highest priority. Travellers have been urged to check official airline websites, mobile applications or customer service centres for the latest updates before beginning their journeys.

The developments underline how quickly regional instability can ripple through the international aviation system, disrupting long-haul routes and global connectivity within hours. Authorities have said further updates will be issued as the security situation becomes clearer and operations gradually return to normal.