Thousands of travelers face significant disruption as U.S.-Israeli strikes and Iran's retaliatory attacks have led to widespread airspace closures across the Middle East.
Over 2,400 flights were canceled Sunday, impacting major hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Manama. Emirates Airlines, Qatar Airways, and Etihad Airways, which typically serve approximately 90,000 passengers daily through these airports, have suspended or rerouted services.
Airlines like United Airlines have canceled flights to Tel Aviv and Dubai through early March. The rerouting of flights around the conflict zone is expected to add hours to travel times and potentially increase ticket prices if the situation persists.
Experts anticipate that airspace reopening will depend on the clarity of military flight operations and Iran's missile capabilities. Airlines are urging passengers to monitor flight status updates.