Hundreds of thousands of airline passengers have had their travel plans thrown into disarray as airspace in the Middle East was closed to flights following US and Israeli strikes on Iran.
Cancellations and diversions began after a “major combat operation” was confirmed by Donald Trump on Saturday morning.
Iran and Iraq closed their airspaces in response to the escalating action, which has seen explosions across the Middle East. Soon afterwards, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, as well as other Gulf locations, also grounded flights.
Dubai International Airport, the biggest global hub, closed to arrivals and departures shortly before 12 noon GMT. On a typical day, around a quarter of a million passengers fly in and out of “DXB”.
The main airline at Dubai, Emirates, said it had temporarily suspended operations “due to multiple regional airspace closures” and the giant Gulf carrier Qatar Airways has suspended all flights to and from its hub in Doha.
Dozens of flights have been diverted or returned to their starting points.
These are the key questions and answers about passengers’ rights.
How widespread is the disruption so far?
The unfolding picture indicates that this will be the most severe disruption to aviation in the region since the Covid pandemic.
While Qatar experienced a temporary closure in June 2025 following a US-Iran clash, the added closure of Dubai means that hundreds more flights are cancelled.
Passenger Mike Boreham had his British Airways flight from Dubai to Heathrow cancelled as the fully laden aircraft was on the point of departure. Speaking from inside the airport terminal, he said: “It’s chaos here, just imagine 100 flights getting off at once. It’s hundreds of people, I’ve never seen the airport like it.”
With every hour that the closures continue, many thousands more passengers are affected.
What are passengers’ rights?
Under UK and EU air passengers’ rights legislation, anyone starting their journey in Europe is in a strong position.
Stuck in Dubai or Doha? Under air passengers’ rights rules, you must be provided with a hotel and meals until you can be flown out. However, given the sheer weight of numbers, it may be that passengers are told to fend for themselves and later claim the cost of accommodation and food
Not yet left Britain? Passengers booked from UK airports on Emirates or Qatar Airways via Dubai or Doha to Asia, Australasia or Africa are entitled to be flown to their destination as soon as possible by any carrier that has seats available.
Airlines flying non-stop to Asian and African destinations, such as Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific and Ethiopian Airlines, could provide alternative routes.
What if I am flying home – so my journey began outside Europe?
If you’re booked on a non-European airline from an airport outside the EU and UK? You have no such rights.
While Emirates and Qatar Airways will do their best to get passengers where they need to be and provide accommodation where possible while they are waiting, there is no legal obligation for them to do so.
Travel insurance may help with some out-of-pocket expenses and a modest payment for long delays.
Is there wider disruption?
Yes. Many flights that would normally use Iranian or Iraqi airspace are taking wide diversions, adding to journey times. There will also be knock-on delays as a result, and some flights may need to make refuelling stops because of the longer routes. All of this adds up to continuing disruption.
When airspace reopens, how quickly will things be back to normal?
Even when flights resume, there is likely to be widespread disruption due to aircraft and crew being out of position.
Airlines, including Emirates and Qatar Airways, are working at full stretch, so even when the schedule is back on track, it will certainly be days, and possibly weeks, before some stranded passengers get where they need to be.
