Middle East tensions surge following a major US and Israeli military operation against Iran launched in the early hours today. President Donald Trump shared a video on Truth Social declaring that US forces stand ready for a massive and ongoing effort.
This action follows weeks of negotiations and comes eight months after the Twelve-Day War in June 2025, when US Air Force and Navy targeted three Iranian nuclear sites.
With Dubai just 130 kilometers (80 miles) across the Gulf of Oman and Persian Gulf from Iran, and 2,660 kilometers (1,652 miles) from Israel via land routes through Saudi Arabia and Jordan, travelers question the region’s safety and accessibility.
Airspace Closures Disrupt Regional Travel
The United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Iraq, and Qatar have shut their airspaces in response. The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority enacted a temporary partial closure as a precaution.
Key hubs Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi and Dubai International Airport handled about 127 million passengers in 2025. Dubai, the UAE’s largest city, drew 19.5 million international visitors that year, ranking sixth globally, including 1.32 million from the UK in 2024—a 14% rise from 2023. Over one million British tourists visited in the first nine months of 2025 alone.
A limited number of flights from Heathrow face cancellations or delays. Travelers should verify status with airlines. Reopening timelines remain unclear, but carriers reroute to skirt restricted zones.
Airlines Suspend Services
Emirates has paused all operations to and from Dubai while monitoring developments and coordinating with authorities.
- Wizz Air halts flights to and from Israel, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Amman until March 7.
- Virgin Atlantic cancels London-Dubai routes and reroutes to avoid Iraqi airspace.
- British Airways scraps London Heathrow-Bahrain and Tel Aviv flights until March 3.
- Air Canada, Eurowings, Finnair, and Swiss cancel Dubai services.
- Air Arabia drops flights to Iran, Iraq, and nearby areas.
- Air France suspends Tel Aviv and Beirut flights.
- Air India stops all Middle East destinations.
- Bulgaria Air cancels Tel Aviv flights until March 2.
- Lufthansa pauses Tel Aviv, Beirut, and Oman services.
- IndiGo halts Middle East flights until midnight.
- Norwegian Air suspends Dubai operations.
- Oman Air cancels Baghdad flights.
- Qatar Airways pauses amid Qatari airspace closure.
- Russian carriers to Israel and Iran are grounded, per the transport ministry.
- Turkish Airlines cancels Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, and Syria until March 2; Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and UAE for today.
Refunds and Insurance Considerations
As the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) issues no ‘do not travel’ advisory for the UAE, cancellations may not qualify for full refunds. Airspace closures count as extraordinary circumstances beyond airline control.
Travelers opting out risk financial loss. Review personal insurance policies for options.
Travel to Nearby Regions
Turkey
Turkey borders Iran, with Tehran-Istanbul air distance at 2,000-2,050 km, but FCDO advises against travel only within 10 km of the Syrian border due to conflict and terrorism risks. No broader warnings apply.
Israel and Palestine
FCDO strongly advises against all travel to Israel and Palestine amid regional escalation. Following today’s US-Israel actions in Iran, Israeli airspace has closed. British nationals there should follow local guidance, avoid military sites, and keep documents current.
