The global aviation industry is facing its most significant security crisis in recent years as coordinated military strikes on Iran by the United States and Israel have sent shockwaves through international flight networks. By Saturday evening, Feb 28, 2026, the airspace over one of the world’s busiest transit zones had effectively been shuttered, prompting an immediate "safety-first" stand-down by major global carriers.

What began as isolated delays quickly spiraled into a regional grounding. Ethiopian Airlines, the "gatekeeper" of African aviation, joined the ranks of Air France-KLM, British Airways, and Lufthansa in suspending services. Ethiopian officials confirmed the cancellation of flights to Amman, Beirut, Tel Aviv, and Dammam, citing the "unpredictable security environment" and the closure of sovereign airspaces.

The impact has been felt most acutely in the Gulf. Dubai International (DXB), the world’s busiest international hub, saw a total suspension of operations as the United Arab Emirates partially closed its skies. Flag carrier Emirates and its partner flydubai halted all departures on Saturday, a move mirrored by Qatar Airways following the closure of Qatari airspace.

Flight-tracking data on Saturday showed a stark void where thousands of daily flights usually cross. At least eight countries—Iran, Israel, Iraq, Jordan, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and the UAE—implemented full or partial closures.

Rerouting Challenges: Long-haul flights between Europe and Asia are being forced onto "detour" routes over Central Asia or deep into the southern African continent, significantly increasing fuel consumption and flight times.
Carrier Response: Air India redirected a Delhi-Tel Aviv flight mid-air back to Mumbai, subsequently suspending all Middle East operations. Similarly, Wizz Air and Lufthansa have extended their suspensions through March 7, anticipating a prolonged period of volatility.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has advised all airlines to avoid the affected region entirely, citing a "high risk to civil aviation" from both active strikes and potential retaliatory missile fire.

The economic ramifications are expected to be severe. Beyond the immediate loss of ticket revenue, the Middle East serves as the primary artery for global trade and migrant labor. For Africa’s leading carrier, Ethiopian Airlines, the suspension of the Dammam and Beirut routes represents a major disruption to the vital "labor corridor" that connects East Africa to the Gulf.

As U.S. President Donald Trump announced that "major combat operations" were underway, and Tehran responded with missile salvos targeting regional bases, the timeline for a return to normalcy remains murky. Aviation analysts warn that even if airspaces reopen, the "backlog of thousands of canceled flights and the complexity of rerouting aircraft" will cause ripple effects across global schedules for weeks.

Travelers worldwide are being urged to avoid airports in the affected regions and to maintain close contact with their carriers for rebooking options as the geopolitical situation continues to unfold.

global news

Major Carriers Ground Middle East Flights as Regional Conflict Escalates