Middle East Faces Ongoing Flight Cancellations at DXB and Hamad Airports

Key Takeaways

• Over 700 flights canceled in Middle East since June 13, hitting major hubs DXB and Hamad Airport.
• Emirates suspends flights to Iran and Iraq until June 30; Flydubai halts 35% of daily flights.
• Airspace closures over Iran, Israel, Jordan, Syria cause rerouting, delays, and cancellations through June 2025.

Travelers and airlines across the Middle East are facing a new wave of flight cancellations and delays, with Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Hamad International Airport in Doha at the center of the disruption. As of June 19, 2025, hundreds of flights have been canceled or delayed, affecting major carriers like Emirates, Flydubai, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, Lufthansa, KLM, and Ryanair. The main cause is the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict, which has led to widespread airspace closures over Iran, Israel, Jordan, Syria, and parts of Iraq. This situation is creating serious challenges for passengers, airlines, and airport authorities, with no clear end in sight.

What’s Happening: The Latest on Flight Cancellations

Since June 13, over 700 flights have been canceled across the region, with Dubai International Airport reporting 374 delays and 80 cancellations in a single day. Flydubai has been especially hard hit, canceling 68 flights and delaying 131—over 35% of its daily operations. Emirates, the flagship airline of the United Arab Emirates 🇦🇪, has canceled all routes to Jordan and Lebanon through June 22, and suspended flights to Iran and Iraq until June 30.

Other airlines are taking similar steps:

• Flydubai: Flights to Iran, Iraq, Israel, and Syria are suspended until June 30. Jordan and Lebanon flights have resumed as daytime-only operations since June 17.
• Etihad Airways: Flights from Abu Dhabi to Amman (Jordan) are suspended through June 20, and to Tel Aviv (Israel) through June 22. Beirut (Lebanon) flights resumed on June 17.
• Air Arabia: Flights to Iran and Iraq are suspended through June 30; Jordan and Russia through June 20; Lebanon through June 17.
• Wizz Air: Tel Aviv and Amman routes from Europe are suspended until September 15, but Abu Dhabi-Amman resumes June 20.

These changes are not just temporary hiccups. They reflect a much larger problem caused by the closure of key airspace in the region, forcing airlines to reroute or suspend flights. The result is a domino effect, with delays and cancellations spreading to other airports and airlines.

Why Are Flights Being Canceled?

The main reason for these disruptions is the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran. Recent military actions, including Israeli strikes on Iranian sites and Iranian drone retaliation, have made the skies over several countries unsafe. As a result, airspace over Iran, Israel, Jordan, Syria, and parts of Iraq has been closed or restricted. Airlines cannot fly their usual routes, so they must either find longer, more expensive paths or cancel flights altogether.

This is not the first time the region has seen such disruptions. Similar problems happened in April 2024, but the current situation is even more severe and affects more airlines and routes. The Middle East is a vital hub for flights between Europe, Asia, and Africa, so any closure in this region has a big impact on global travel.

Who Is Affected?

Passengers

Travelers are the most directly affected. If you have a flight booked to or from any of the suspended destinations, you may face:

• Cancellations and Delays: Your flight may be canceled or delayed, sometimes with little warning.
• No Transit Allowed: If you are connecting through Dubai International Airport or Hamad International Airport to a suspended destination, you will not be allowed to board your first flight. Airlines are not accepting transit passengers for these routes.
• Refunds and Rebooking: Most airlines are offering refunds, rebooking, or travel credits. However, options may be limited due to the high number of affected flights.
• Uncertainty: With the situation changing quickly, it can be hard to know if your travel plans will go ahead as scheduled.

Airlines

Airlines are also facing major challenges:

• Rerouting Flights: With so much airspace closed, airlines must find new, often longer routes. This increases fuel costs and can cause congestion in the remaining open air corridors.
• Operational Costs: The need to reroute or cancel flights adds to costs and makes scheduling more complicated.
• Sales Offices Closed: Some airlines, like Air Arabia, have closed their sales offices in affected countries, such as Iran.
• Constant Reassessment: Airlines must keep reviewing their safety and security plans as the situation develops.

Airport Authorities

Authorities at Dubai International Airport, Hamad International Airport, and other major hubs are working hard to keep things running smoothly. The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) in the United Arab Emirates 🇦🇪 has put emergency response plans in place to minimize disruption.

How Are Airlines Responding?

Airlines are trying to help passengers as much as possible. Here’s what some of the major carriers are saying:

• Emirates: “We apologize for any inconvenience caused and continue to monitor the situation closely. The safety of our passengers, crew, and operations remains our highest priority.”
• Flydubai: “We have reinstated flights across our network where conditions permit and we continue to monitor and review our operations as the situation evolves. We apologise for the inconvenience caused to our passengers and appreciate their understanding during this time. The safety of our passengers and crew remains our highest priority.”
• Etihad Airways: “This remains a developing situation, and some delays may occur. We are assisting impacted guests with alternative arrangements.”

These statements show that airlines are focused on safety and are doing their best to help passengers, but the situation is largely out of their control.

What Should Passengers Do?

If you are affected by these flight cancellations or delays, here are some steps you should take:

1. Check Your Flight Status: Before heading to the airport, always check your flight’s status on the airline’s website or app. This will give you the most up-to-date information.
2. Contact Your Airline: If your flight is canceled, reach out to the airline directly. They can help you with rebooking, refunds, or travel credits.
3. Look for Alternatives: Airlines are trying to offer alternative routes where possible, but options may be limited due to the widespread nature of the disruptions.
4. Transit Passengers: If you are transiting through Dubai International Airport or Hamad International Airport to a suspended destination, do not travel to your point of origin. You will not be accepted for travel.
5. Stay Updated: Keep an eye on official airline and airport advisories for the latest information. The situation can change quickly, so it’s important to stay informed.

For official updates and travel advisories, you can visit the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority, which provides current information on airspace restrictions and flight operations.

Quantitative Impact: The Numbers Behind the Disruption

The scale of the disruption is clear from the numbers:

• Dubai International Airport: 80 cancellations and 374 delays in a single day.
• Flydubai: 68 flights canceled and 131 delayed, affecting over 35% of its daily operations.
• Emirates: 128 delays, with all flights to Jordan and Lebanon canceled through June 22, and to Iran and Iraq suspended through June 30.
• Air Arabia: 29 cancellations and 46 delays, with flights to Iran and Iraq suspended through June 30.
• Etihad Airways: 3 cancellations and 61 delays, with key routes to Amman and Tel Aviv suspended.
• Region-wide: Over 700 flights canceled since June 13, with 518 canceled in a single day at the peak.

These numbers show just how widespread the problem is, affecting not just passengers but also airline schedules and airport operations.

Policy Changes and Emergency Plans

With so many flights canceled or delayed, authorities have put emergency response plans in place. The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) is working with airports and airlines to keep things running as smoothly as possible. This includes:

• Continuity of Operations: Making sure that essential airport services continue, even with fewer flights.
• Passenger Assistance: Helping travelers with rebooking, refunds, and information.
• Security Measures: Reviewing and updating safety protocols as needed.

No transit passengers are being accepted for canceled destinations, and passengers with connections to affected countries will not be allowed to board at their origin. This is to prevent travelers from getting stranded at connecting airports.

Broader Implications: What Does This Mean for Global Travel?

The Middle East is a key hub for flights between Europe, Asia, and Africa. When airspace in this region is closed, it affects not just local flights but also many international routes. Airlines must reroute flights, which can mean longer travel times, higher costs, and more congestion in the remaining open air corridors.

Aviation analysts say that the Israel-Iran conflict has created one of the most disruptive situations for air travel in recent Middle Eastern history. The ripple effects are being felt around the world, with travelers facing extended delays, missed connections, and uncertainty about future travel plans.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the ongoing instability may force airlines to rethink their route networks and make new plans for dealing with future disruptions in the region.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next?

Most airlines have extended their flight suspensions through June 30, 2025, and the situation is being reviewed constantly. If tensions in the region get worse, more airspace closures and flight suspensions are possible. Some routes, such as those to Lebanon and Jordan, are starting to resume as daytime-only operations, but a full return to normal will depend on how the security situation develops.

In the long term, ongoing instability in the region may lead airlines to make bigger changes to their route networks and emergency planning. Travelers should expect that disruptions could continue for some time.

Summary Table: Major Airline Suspensions (as of June 19, 2025)

Official Contacts and Resources

If you need help or more information, here are some useful contacts:

• Emirates: emirates.com | Customer Service: +971 600 555555
• Etihad Airways: etihad.com | Contact Centre: +971 600 555666
• Flydubai: flydubai.com | Customer Service: +971 600 544445
• Air Arabia: airarabia.com | Customer Service: +971 6 5580000
• Dubai Airports: dubaiairports.ae | Flight status and advisories
• Hamad International Airport: dohahamadairport.com | Flight status and advisories

Practical Takeaways for Travelers

• Always check your flight status before leaving for the airport.
• Contact your airline directly if your flight is canceled or delayed.
• Do not travel to your point of origin if you are transiting through Dubai International Airport or Hamad International Airport to a suspended destination—you will not be allowed to board.
• Stay updated with official airline and airport advisories.
• Be prepared for possible delays and changes to your travel plans.

Final Thoughts

The current wave of flight cancellations and delays at Dubai International Airport, Hamad International Airport, and other Middle East hubs is a reminder of how quickly global events can affect travel. With airlines like Emirates, Flydubai, and others working to keep passengers safe and informed, travelers should stay alert, flexible, and ready to adjust their plans as needed. The situation remains fluid, and while some routes are starting to reopen, it may be some time before things return to normal. Always rely on official sources for the latest updates, and take practical steps to protect your travel plans during this period of uncertainty.

Learn Today

Flight Cancellations → When an airline officially discontinues a scheduled flight, often due to safety or operational issues.
Airspace Closures → Government-imposed bans on flying over specific regions for security or safety reasons.
Transit Passenger → Traveler connecting through an intermediate airport en route to a final destination.
Rerouting → Changing a flight’s planned path due to restrictions or emergencies, often causing delays.
Emergency Response Plans → Strategies by authorities and airports to manage unexpected crises and maintain operations.

This Article in a Nutshell

Flight cancellations at Dubai, Hamad airports stem from Israel-Iran conflict causing widespread airspace closures. Airlines like Emirates and Flydubai suspend routes or delay hundreds of flights. Passengers face disruptions, while authorities implement emergency plans. This ongoing crisis impacts global travel hubs and prompts constant operational adjustments amid regional instability.
— By VisaVerge.com