Air travel disrupted as global carriers halt Middle East routes after US-Israel strikes on Iran

INTERNATIONAL airlines grounded dozens of flights across the Middle East on Saturday after coordinated military strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran intensified regional tensions and prompted sweeping airspace restrictions.

Aviation authorities in several countries moved swiftly to close or limit access to their skies, forcing airlines to either suspend operations or divert aircraft to alternative routes. The sudden escalation created ripple effects far beyond the immediate conflict zone, disrupting travel plans across Europe, Asia and the Gulf.

Türkiye

Türkiye’s flag carrier, Turkish Airlines, announced the suspension of services to 10 destinations in the Middle East. Flights to Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran and Jordan were cancelled through March 2. The airline also halted same-day operations to Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Oman. Spokesperson Yahya Ustun said the decision was taken in response to the evolving security environment, TRT World reported.

Russia

Russia’s aviation watchdog, Rosaviatsia, ordered a temporary freeze on flights linking Russia with Iran and Israel, effective until further notice. The regulator also instructed carriers to bypass parts of the Gulf region due to airspace closures in Qatar, Iraq, Kuwait and Bahrain, as well as partial restrictions affecting the United Arab Emirates.

Norway

Low-cost carrier Norwegian confirmed it would suspend its Dubai services until at least March 4. Charlotte Holmbergh, the airline’s communications chief, said the company would continue assessing developments before determining when flights could safely resume.

India

India’s leading private airlines, IndiGo and Air India, temporarily stopped all Middle East operations on Saturday. Air India referenced the situation in the region as the reason for its decision, while IndiGo stated that safeguarding passengers and crew remained its primary concern.

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Qatar

Qatar’s civil aviation authority announced the temporary closure of national airspace as a precautionary measure. Qatar Airways subsequently confirmed that all arrivals and departures through Doha had been suspended following the strikes.

Syria

Syria’s Civil Aviation Authority shut down southern air corridors along its border with Israel for a 12-hour period starting at noon local time on Saturday. The move further complicated flight planning for international carriers navigating the region.

Switzerland

Swiss International Air Lines said it would suspend flights to and from Tel Aviv until March 7, impacting 14 services in total. The airline also cancelled its Zurich–Dubai route in response to widespread airspace restrictions across the Middle East.

Germany

Lufthansa and its subsidiary airlines halted services to Tel Aviv, Beirut, Amman, Erbil and Tehran through March 7. Flights to Dubai and Abu Dhabi were cancelled until Sunday. The German aviation group cited the ‘current situation in the Middle East’ as the basis for its precautionary measures.

The broad suspension of flights underscores how rapidly geopolitical shocks can disrupt global aviation networks. With key transit corridors closed and security concerns mounting, airlines are expected to keep monitoring developments closely before restoring normal operations.