Airlines serving the Middle East have suspended, canceled, or rerouted flights after the United States and Israel carried out coordinated strikes on Iran on Saturday, prompting retaliatory attacks and raising concerns over civilian safety.
Major carriers including British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and Wizz Air reduced services to destinations across the region. British Airways canceled flights to Tel Aviv and Bahrain until Wednesday, while services to Amman were suspended on Saturday.
Passengers faced sudden disruptions. Sarah Short, returning from a holiday in Dubai, said her British Airways flight from Dubai to Heathrow was grounded for over three hours. “We got on the plane and were literally about to taxi when the pilot said: ‘We have some bad news – we’re not going anywhere,’” she told the BBC.
Virgin Atlantic canceled a Heathrow-Dubai flight and warned that flights to India, Saudi Arabia, and the Maldives could experience delays due to rerouting. Wizz Air suspended all flights to and from Israel, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Amman through next Saturday. Qatar Airways confirmed a temporary halt to flights to and from Doha after Qatari airspace closed, while Emirates also paused services to and from Dubai. Heathrow Airport advised travelers to check with airlines before traveling.
The UK Foreign Office has issued urgent advice for British nationals in Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and the UAE to shelter in place after reports of explosions and air raid sirens. John Henry, a 71-year-old Briton in Doha, recounted experiencing a tremor in a shopping center as missiles were intercepted by Qatari defense forces. The UAE also reported intercepting Iranian missiles, and footage has emerged showing a US facility in Bahrain being struck. UK nationals in Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Oman have been advised to remain vigilant and follow local instructions.
The strikes came after President Donald Trump cited failed negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program and regime change as reasons for launching the attacks. Iranian airspace has been closed, and flight tracking indicates that international air traffic is avoiding the region.
The UK government held emergency discussions in response. Prime Minister Keir Starmer chaired a Cobra meeting on Saturday. A spokesperson said the government’s priority is the safety of UK nationals and that consular support will be provided where necessary.
The disruption highlights the immediate impact of regional military escalation on civil aviation, with airlines adjusting routes and passengers facing uncertainty across the Middle East.
