Major commercial air travel continued to be severely disrupted on 3 March 2026 as Middle Eastern airspace closures triggered by ongoing conflict left tens of thousands of flights delayed or cancelled, stranding passengers worldwide.
Airspace over countries including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Israel and Kuwait remained closed, forcing widespread suspension of flights and diversions through alternative corridors, according to aviation tracking data. Airports in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha — typically among the world’s busiest international hubs — have experienced prolonged stoppages and operational uncertainty. More than 3,400 flights were cancelled on Sunday across seven Gulf airports alone, while global delays numbered in the tens of thousands.
Reflecting the scale of disruption, Turkish Airlines, Air India and several European carriers have suspended or adjusted services that transit the affected airspace. Major carriers including Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways also halted operations pending safe reopening directives from aviation authorities.
Safety remains the guiding priority for airline decisions, with governments and civil aviation regulators maintaining closure orders until risk levels decline. The extended disruption continues to ripple through global flight networks, impacting connections between Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas.
