Flights across the Middle East have been grounded as a result of escalating tensions between the United States, Israel, and Iran. The closures, which began after U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed a ‘major combat operation’ on Saturday, have thrown hundreds of thousands of travelers into disarray, with major hubs like Dubai and Doha shutting down their air traffic operations.

Airspace Closures Disrupt Global Travel

Iran and Iraq were the first to close their airspace in response to the strikes, followed quickly by Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest hub, closed to all arrivals and departures shortly before noon GMT. On a typical day, the airport processes around 250,000 passengers, but now it is effectively on lockdown.

Emirates, Dubai’s largest airline, has suspended all operations due to the regional airspace closures. Similarly, Qatar Airways has halted all flights to and from its hub in Doha. These moves have left thousands of passengers stranded, with many flights either diverted or returned to their departure points.

Passenger Mike Boreham, who had his British Airways flight from Dubai to Heathrow cancelled, described the chaos at the airport: ‘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.’

Passenger Rights and Legal Protections

Under UK and EU air passengers’ rights legislation, those starting their journey in Europe are in a strong position. If stranded in Dubai or Doha, passengers are entitled to hotel accommodation and meals until they can be flown out. However, with the sheer volume of affected travelers, some may be asked to cover their own expenses initially and later seek reimbursement.

Passengers who booked flights from UK airports via Dubai or Doha to Asia, Australasia, or Africa are entitled to be flown to their destination as soon as possible by any carrier with available seats. Airlines such as Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, and Ethiopian Airlines may provide alternative routes to help stranded travelers reach their destinations.

However, passengers who booked non-European airlines from airports outside the EU and UK have no such legal protections. While Emirates and Qatar Airways are doing their best to assist stranded passengers, they are not legally obligated to provide accommodation or meals during the disruption.

Travel insurance may help cover some out-of-pocket expenses and provide a modest payment for long delays. However, the extent of coverage varies depending on the policy and the specific circumstances of the disruption.

Long-Term Disruption and Recovery

Many flights that would normally use Iranian or Iraqi airspace are now taking wide diversions, significantly increasing journey times. This is expected to cause knock-on delays, with some flights requiring refueling stops due to the longer routes. These disruptions are likely to continue even after airspace reopens.

Even when flights resume, the recovery period may be lengthy. Airlines, including Emirates and Qatar Airways, are operating at full capacity, and it may take days or even weeks before all stranded passengers can reach their destinations. Aircraft and crew are currently in the wrong locations, which will further delay the return to normal operations.

The current situation is the most severe disruption to aviation in the region since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. In June 2025, Qatar experienced a temporary closure due to a previous U.S.-Iran clash, but the current closures in Dubai add a new layer of complexity and impact to the already strained aviation sector.

Airlines are working around the clock to manage the crisis, but the scale of the disruption is unprecedented. Passengers are advised to monitor updates from their airlines and consider alternative travel arrangements if possible.