Airlines Cancel Middle East Routes as Iran Conflict Rattles Air Travel

A check-in desk shows information on a cancelled flight in the north terminal at London Gatwick airport on Feb. 28, 2026. Ben Stansall/Getty ImagesGlobal air travel remained severely disrupted on March 17 after the war in Iran forced the closure or restriction of major Middle Eastern aviation hubs, including Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi, triggering widespread flight cancellations and leaving tens of thousands of passengers stranded.Airlines across Europe, North America, and Asia suspended flights to key destinations in the Gulf and Israel, citing security risks and unstable airspace conditions.