On February 28, 2026, airspace in the Persian Gulf was blocked due to the military escalation between the United States, Israel, and Iran.
A joint US-Israel attack on Iran caused the immediate closure of Persian airspace and that of several neighboring countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain. The move was for safety and to prevent accidents involving civilian aircraft.
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How large is the closed airspace and which flights are affected
The affected airspace is one of the main corridors connecting Europe, Asia, and Africa. Hundreds of flights normally pass through, heading to hubs like Dubai (DXB), Doha (DOH), and Abu Dhabi (AUH).
Countries with full or partial closures include:
- Iran and Israel – full closures;
- Iraq, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Syria, and parts of the UAE – full or restricted closures;
- Other neighboring areas – temporary restrictions or special overflight rules.
According to Cirium, the leading aviation data analyst, 1,800 flights to, from, and through the Middle East have been canceled yesterday. During the day will be delated more then 700 flight almost. This affects over 90,000 passengers in the main hubs.
Current status of flights and diverted routes
Airlines such as Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad have canceled hundreds of flights. European and Asian carriers are avoiding the region.
Flights that would normally cross the Gulf or Iran now:
- Divert via northern or southern routes over Saudi Arabia, the Red Sea, North Africa, or Central Asia.
- Return to departure airports or land at alternative hubs like Rome or Istanbul.
- Take 1–3 extra hours of flight time.
How flights are bypassing the closed airspace
To avoid the conflict zone, airlines are:
- Reprogramming flights to skip Iran and adjacent areas;
- Using longer alternative routes over Saudi Arabia, the Red Sea, and North Africa;
- Adding technical stops at safe airports like Istanbul, Rome, or Mumbai for refueling and crew changes;
- Running “repositioning” flights to maintain connections between European and Asian hubs without crossing the Gulf.
These measures keep intercontinental routes operational, but costs and delays rise.
How many passengers are stranded
Initial estimates show that 150,000–200,000 passengers have been stranded or diverted due to airspace closures. This includes canceled flights and delays at major hubs like Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi.
These are partial figures. Official and updated numbers from airlines and Cirium, the leading aviation data analyst, will provide a more precise count of passengers actually stuck in terminals.
Economic losses for airlines
Independent estimates from SimpleFlying suggest that diverted routes may cost $6,000–$7,500 per extra flight hour, including fuel, crew, and logistical inefficiencies. According to The Guardian, diversions also lead to cancellation penalties, passenger compensation, and higher insurance costs. Ticket prices could rise if closures continue.
For now, total losses are impossible to calculate. They depend on the ongoing instability in the region, rooted in decades of tension dating back to the era of Ayatollah Khomeini.
