1,555 Flights Cancelled as Middle East Conflict Triggers Travel Crisis
Major airlines including Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad, and Virgin Atlantic have suspended flights to and from the Middle East until Monday as the regional conflict continues to escalate, creating what experts describe as the worst travel crisis since the Covid-19 pandemic.
Widespread Flight Cancellations and Groundings
According to flight analytics firm Cirium, a total of 539 flights from the UK to the Middle East are expected to be grounded in the seven days from March 1, equating to 180,008 seats. From now until Saturday, more than 70 UK flights per day are likely to be cancelled, with 49 UK flights to the Middle East already cancelled today. Globally, 1,555 flights to the Middle East have been cancelled as of 10am today.
This follows massive disruptions over the weekend, with almost 2,800 flights cancelled on Saturday and 3,156 cancelled on Sunday, according to tracking platform FlightAware. Airspace over Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Israel, Bahrain, the UAE, and Qatar remains virtually empty on Monday, as reported by flight tracking website Flightradar24.
Expert Analysis: Billions in Lost Trade and Tourism
Paul Charles, a travel and aviation expert who runs the PC Agency, spoke from Sao Paulo where he was stranded due to a cancelled flight. He highlighted the scale of the disruption: "When we look at the Cirium data for yesterday alone, well over two million people were affected. That is a lot of people."
Charles explained that airlines are waiting for airspace to reopen, with planes stuck worldwide and cargo unable to move. "It is early days, but the longer this goes on, the more it will cost. We're talking billions of dollars of lost trade and tourism." He predicted the travel impact would be felt for weeks if not months, noting that even if the conflict were settled tomorrow, it would take significant time for operations to normalize.
The travel expert compared the disruption to the Icelandic ash cloud of 2010, which resulted in the largest air-traffic shutdown since World War II, with flights stopped for ten days and a month for normal operations to resume. The only bigger disruption in recent times, according to Charles, was the coronavirus pandemic when commercial flights between most countries were halted for months.
Airlines Respond to Airspace Closures
Emirates airline announced on X: "Due to multiple regional airspace closures, Emirates has temporarily suspended all operations to and from Dubai, up until 3pm UAE time on Monday March 2." The airline is advising passengers scheduled to fly before or on March 5 to rebook or request a refund, and is actively monitoring the situation.
Etihad Airways warned passengers to anticipate disruptions while airspace closures persist, suspending all flights to and from Abu Dhabi until 2am UAE time on Monday March 2. The airline advised passengers to verify flight status online and update contact details, offering complete refunds for journeys up to 3 March. An Etihad spokesperson noted: "We are currently experiencing a high volume of calls... The situation remains dynamic and schedules may change at short notice."
Qatar Airways announced flights remain temporarily suspended due to Qatari airspace closure, with operations to resume once authorities declare it safe. The airline also alerted passengers to scammers impersonating staff online, warning that they never request sensitive information via social media.
Virgin Atlantic confirmed it continues to avoid Iraqi airspace, leading to rerouted services and cancellations between London Heathrow and Dubai, as well as London Heathrow and Riyadh on Sunday 1 March and Monday 2 March.
Foreign Office Warnings and Safety Advice
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has urged British nationals in Bahrain, Israel, Palestine, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates to register their presence with the UK Government to receive updates. In a statement on X, the FCDO advised: "You should continue to follow travel advice and the advice of the local authorities."
A further update on Sunday afternoon urged British nationals in the coastal city of Duqm in Oman to "immediately shelter in place", while those in Salalah should "leave as soon as possible" if commercial means allow. The FCDO advised: "Remain indoors in a secure location, avoid all travel and follow instructions from the local authorities."
Background: Escalating Conflict
The travel disruption follows an attack on Iran by US and Israeli forces on Saturday morning, labelled as a "pre-emptive" strike against alleged nuclear weapons development. This triggered a counterattack from Iran, with missiles reportedly aimed at Israel and various countries across the Middle East, leading to the current airspace closures and flight suspensions.
