Air travel disruption leaves passengers stranded globally

Across the region, airlines have cancelled thousands of services

Last updated: March 02, 2026 | 16:04

2 MIN READ

Stranded travellers speak with airline staff after flights to the Middle East were cancelled following the US-Israeli attack on Iran, at Ngurah Rai International Airport in Kuta, Bali, Indonesia. Hundreds of thousands of passengers worldwide remain stranded as widespread cancellations trigger the worst travel disruption since the COVID-19 pandemic, with escalating regional tensions forcing major airspace closures across the Middle East.

1/10

Passengers whose flights were cancelled wait at the departure terminal of Rafik Hariri International Airport in Beirut, Lebanon. Key aviation hubs, including Dubai — the world’s busiest international airport — have faced major disruption, with operations suspended for a third consecutive day. Emirates temporarily halted flights to and from Dubai until 3pm UAE time on Tuesday, March 3, citing ongoing airspace restrictions, and urged travellers to check updates before heading to the airport.

Emirates extends suspension of Dubai flights amid airspace closures

2/10

Passengers sit waiting for news about flights at Terminal 4 at London Heathrow Airport in west London as flights are severely disrupted following the US and Israel's strikes on Iran.

3/10

International passengers wait with their luggage at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (Terminal 2) in Mumbai after several flights to Middle East destinations were delayed amid the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict, as widespread airspace closures and cancellations disrupted global travel.

4/10

Passengers wait at Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo after several Sri Lankan flights bound for Middle Eastern destinations were cancelled due to US-Israeli military action against Iran

5/10

Nepalese migrant workers bound for the Middle East sit outside an airport after their flight was disrupted by regional airspace closures following escalating tensions and reported military strikes involving Iran, Israel and the United States, in Kathmandu, Nepal, as widespread cancellations leave thousands stranded worldwide.

6/10

The empty terminal at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.

7/10

Stranded passengers wait at Velana International Airport in Male after several flights to Middle East destinations were cancelled.

8/10

Iranian nationals arrive in northeastern Turkey after passing through the Razi-Kapikoy border crossing in Van, on March 2, 2026 as Turkey and Iran have mutually suspended day-trip crossings at their border.

9/10

Passengers wait at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

10/10

Passengers stranded at Indira Gandhi International Airport as several flights are cancelled amid the escalating Israel-Iran conflict, in New Delhi.

Also In This Package

Iran attacks: Emirates flight disruptions latest update

UAE intercepts drones; select flights in UAE resume