How to Avoid Flight Cancellations and Delays
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Diverging Reports Breakdown
Air Peace Expands Operation to China, India, Others, Announces Strategy to Prevent Flight Delays
Allen Onyema, CEO of Air Peace, announced that the airline has increased its buffer aircraft from one to three to prevent flight cancellations and delays. He emphasised that delays caused by factors like weather and bird strikes were beyond the airline’s control, urging Nigerians to support their own airline. Air Peace plans to expand operations to the Caribbean, China, and India by September. The airline currently has 49 aircraft, 36 of which were outrightly purchased and four on wet lease. An Air Peace aircraft allegedly collides with a large antelope, resulting in the unfortunate demise of the animal and rendering the plane AOG (aircraft on ground) The airline operator stated that there seems to have been a rise in complaints about the airline in recent times, citing the carrier’s seating capacity as the reason. The incident may have impacted Air Peace’s flight schedules.
He emphasised that delays caused by factors like weather and bird strikes were beyond the airline’s control, urging Nigerians to support their own airline
Onyema shared plans for Air Peace to expand operations to the Caribbean, China, and India by September, and revealed that the airline currently has 49 aircraft
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Allen Onyema, the CEO of Air Peace, has declared that the airline has set aside three planes to act as buffers against flight cancellations and delays.
The CEO of Air Peace declared that the airline has set aside three planes to act as buffers. Photo Credit: Air Peace
Source: UGC
According to him, passenger complaints about flight cancellations and delays would be addressed by the aircraft. These planes are parked as backups in the event that any of the airline’s operational aircraft experiences minor or serious issues.
Speaking to reporters during a briefing at the airline’s corporate headquarters in Lagos, Onyema made this statement.
He assured that the standby aircraft would always be available to passengers, even though the airline was not responsible for many of the delays and flight cancellations.
“We have increased our buffer from one aircraft to three. What this means is that we now have three aircraft parked in case any aircraft develops either a minor or major fault, be it a bird strike or whatever. This is to further tackle flight delays or cancellations,” he said.
Onyema urged Nigerians to view Air Peace as their own, clarifying that delays caused by weather, bird strikes, runway maintenance, and other factors were beyond any airline’s control, according to a Punch report.
He added that foreign countries have stigmatised Nigeria and that when “the people accept to love their own,” the nation will be released from these bonds.
The airline operator stated that there seems to have been a rise in complaints about the airline in recent times, citing the carrier’s seating capacity as the reason.
“For instance, if Air Peace experiences a 30 percent delay, the number would be about 32 flights, compared to an airline that has its own 30 percent, which would be only three or six flights,” he said.
Air Peace CEO revealed that the airline currently has 49 aircraft. Photo Credit: Air Peace
Source: Getty Images
Airline to launch in other countries
Onyema revealed that the airline currently has 49 aircraft, 36 of which were outrightly purchased and four on wet lease. He noted that the airline will, by September, launch operations to the Caribbean nations, as well as China and India.
“We are connecting Nigerians in the Diaspora. We started these operations some months ago; we flew to St. Kitts, we also transported over 200 passengers to Jamaica, and we have increased our B777 fleet to four because our China operations will soon start. We are already discussing the acquisition of wide-bodied aircraft based on a wet lease arrangement,” he said.
Air Peace aircraft allegedly collides with large antelope
Legit.ng reported that on 10 May, an Air Peace aircraft collided with a large antelope, resulting in the unfortunate demise of the animal and rendering the plane AOG (aircraft on ground).
Following the unexpected collision, engineers swiftly moved in to evaluate the extent of the damage and commence necessary repairs to restore the aircraft to operational status.
According to Guardian, the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, disclosed the incident, adding that it may have impacted Air Peace’s flight schedules.
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Source: Legit.ng
Airlines face fresh upheaval as Iran attacks US airbase in Qatar
Several Middle Eastern nations closed their countries’ airspace temporarily as Iran attacked the Al Udeid U.S. military base in Doha. Air India said it would suspend flights to and from eastern North America and Europe as those routes use what has become an increasingly narrow path between those destinations and the Indian subcontinent. Finnair (FIA1S.HE) was the first to announce a prolonged suspension of flights to Doha, with cancellations until June 30. Airports said its operations had resumed after a brief suspension, though it warned of delays or cancellations on social media site X. The usually busy airspace stretching from Iran and Iraq to the Mediterranean resembles a ghost town, devoid of commercial air traffic due to the airspace closures and safety concerns. The Middle East has already cut off major flight routes to typically resilient aviation hubs such as Dubai, with the world’s busiest international airport, and Qatar’s capital of Doha; about two dozen flights were diverted on Monday, according to aviation analytics company Cirium.
Companies Airlines reroute flights due to Middle East airspace closures
Air India ceases operations in region, will stop flights to eastern North America, Europe
N. American, European carriers cancel flights to Gulf
GPS interference and airspace risks increase for airlines
June 23 (Reuters) – Airlines scrambled to cancel flights and reroute planes on Monday after several Middle Eastern nations closed their countries’ airspace temporarily as Iran attacked the Al Udeid U.S. military base in Doha, the latest upheaval to air travel in a normally busy region.
On Sunday, the U.S. attacked key Iranian nuclear sites and Tehran responded on Monday by firing several missiles at the U.S. base without killing or injuring anyone.
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The escalating tensions are starting to affect airlines beyond the Middle East, where major flight routes have already been cut off since Israel began strikes on Iran on June 13. On Monday, Air India said it would suspend flights to and from eastern North America and Europe as those routes use what has become an increasingly narrow path between those destinations and the Indian subcontinent.
After briefly closing their airspace, Bahrain and Kuwait both reopened them, according to state news media. Dubai Airports said its operations had resumed after a brief suspension, though it warned of delays or cancellations on social media site X. Qatar also closed its airspace.
The conflict has already cut off major flight routes to typically resilient aviation hubs such as Dubai, with the world’s busiest international airport, and Qatar’s capital of Doha. The usually busy airspace stretching from Iran and Iraq to the Mediterranean resembles a ghost town, devoid of commercial air traffic due to the airspace closures and safety concerns
Air India said on Monday it had stopped all operations to the Middle East, but also flights to North America’s east coast and Europe. This included diverting flights already in the air back to their takeoff site, and away from closed airspaces.
“It’s terrifying,” said Miret Padovani, a business owner who was stranded at Doha’s Hamad International Airport. She was booked on a Qatar Airways flight to Thailand scheduled to leave late Monday, but cancelled her trip and is now planning on returning home to Dubai early on Tuesday.
“Everything happened so quick. I actually heard from people in the first class lounge that the missiles were being sent this way before they were even in the news.”
According to aviation analytics company Cirium, about two dozen flights to Doha, mostly from Qatar Airways, were diverted on Monday, and about a handful of flights to Dubai were diverted due to the airspace closures.
Kuwait Airways suspended on Monday its flight departures from the country, while UAE’s Etihad Airways was rerouting flights on Monday and Tuesday.
Aircraft belonging to Israel’s state carrier El Al and Israir among other airlines, are parked at Larnaca International Airport, in Larnaca, Cyprus June 16, 2025. REUTERS/Yiannis Kourtoglou/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights , opens new tab
IAG’s (ICAG.L) , opens new tab Spanish airline Iberia scrapped a plan from earlier in the day to resume flights to Doha on Tuesday after the latest airspace closures.
With Russian and Ukrainian airspace also closed to most airlines due to years of war, the Middle East has become a more important route for flights between Europe and Asia. Amid missile and air strikes during the past 10 days, airlines have routed north via the Caspian Sea or south via Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
Carriers have likely been avoiding Doha, Dubai and other airports in the region due to concerns that Iran or its proxies could target drone or missile attacks on U.S. military bases in these countries, aviation risk consultancy Osprey Flight Solutions said.
SUSPENSIONS
Earlier in the day, airlines had been weighing how long to suspend flights. Finnair (FIA1S.HE) , opens new tab was the first to announce a prolonged suspension of flights to Doha, with cancellations until June 30.
Air France also cancelled flights to Riyadh and said it would suspend flights to and from Beirut, Lebanon until Wednesday.
Proliferating conflict zones are an increasing operational burden on airlines as aerial attacks raise worries about accidental or deliberate shoot-downs of commercial air traffic.
GPS interference around political hotspots, where ground-based GPS systems “spoof” or broadcast incorrect positions which can send commercial airliners off course, are also a growing issue for commercial aviation. SkAI, a Swiss company that runs a GPS disruption map, said late on Sunday it had observed more than 150 aircraft spoofed over the Persian Gulf in 24 hours.
Reporting by Menna Alaaeldin in Cairo, Allison Lampert in Montreal, Aditya Kalra in New Delhi, Federico Maccioni in Dubai, David Shepardson in Washington, Doyinsola Oladipo and Jack Queen in New York, Lisa Barrington in Seoul, and Peter Henderson in San Francisco; additional reporting by Inti Landauro in Madrid; Writing by Josephine Mason in London and David Gaffen in New York; Editing by Sonali Paul, Kate Mayberry, Louise Heavens and Richard Chang
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tab
Are flights to Dubai and Doha cancelled? Airlines assessing risk during Israel-Iran war
Airlines are avoiding airspace over Iran, Iraq and Israel, while some have cancelled services to areas on the southern side of the Persian Gulf. Australian Travel Industry Association chief executive Dean Long said many airlines had been forced to reroute, particularly those flying through key transit hubs like Doha and Dubai. Former A380 captain James Nixon said avoiding certain airspace was “business as usual” for airlines. Emirates, which operates out of Dubai, has suspended all flights to Iran and Iraq for the next week. Qatar Airways has cancelled flights to Iraq, Iran and Syria. Etihad Airways warned its customers the situation remained “highly dynamic”. “Further changes or disruption, including sudden airspace closures or operational impact, may occur at short notice,” Etihad said in a statement. Virgin Australia’s newly launched flights to Doha, in partnership with Qatar Airlines, haven’t been affected by the Middle East conflict. The worst thing you can do is pre-emptively cancel your flight. If you’re not flying in the next 48 to 72 hours, just take breath and let your travel agent or contact you.
Flight trackers show airlines are avoiding airspace over Iran, Iraq and Israel, while some have cancelled services to areas on the southern side of the Gulf.
Iran-Israel war live updates: Netanyahu claims ‘historic win’ as ceasefire appears to hold
Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) chief executive Dean Long said many international airlines had been forced to reroute, particularly those flying through key transit hubs like Doha and Dubai.
“We’re not seeing any major cancellations or significant delays affecting Australian travellers,” Mr Long said.
“Flights are being impacted as the available corridors narrow but it’s not causing large-scale disruption for Australians at this stage.”
Former A380 captain James Nixon said avoiding certain airspace was “business as usual” for airlines.
“You just trust the security department of the airline that you’re not going to be rerouted over anything like that, and they close those air spaces immediately,” he said.
“Every day, there are airlines having to be rerouted over airspace.”
How is safety monitored?
Mr Nixon, who has 31 years’ experience flying, said companies that monitored flight risks, such as Ops Group, provided information to airlines’ security and flight planning departments.
“They just build flight paths around the areas that are closing,” he said.
“People are now being routed over Saudi and up through Egypt, and into Europe that way, and they are not going through Iraq, Iran or Jordan.”
He said at this stage, those areas on the southern side of the Persian Gulf were “completely safe”.
“It is hundreds of miles away from any action,” he said.
University of Southern Queensland Professor of Aviation Kan Tsui said airlines would be monitoring risks through their safety management systems.
“They have a standard procedure to assess the risk to any particular flight,” he said.
“Once they assess a risk to the flight that’s ongoing … they will have a plan to reroute or avoid particular airspace.”
Virgin Australia’s newly launched flights to Doha, in partnership with Qatar Airlines, haven’t been affected.
It only launched its Sydney to Doha and Brisbane to Doha services last week.
The airline is monitoring the situation closely.
Qantas doesn’t itself fly to Doha or Dubai. Those flights are operated by Emirates or Qatar.
Which Airlines are cancelling flights?
Some airlines have suspended services.
Singapore Airlines Singapore Airlines has cancelled flights. ( ) Singapore Airlines cancelled flights to and from Dubai on Sunday after a “security assessment of the geopolitical situation”. It warned further services on the Dubai route may be affected “as the situation remains fluid”. British Airways A British Airways plane. ( ) British Airways also suspended flights to Doha and Dubai. It said it was reviewing the situation for future flights. Air France Passengers wait at the Air France check-in counter at the Tom Jobim International airport in Rio de Janeiro June 1, 2009. An Air France plane with 228 people on board was presumed to have crashed into the Atlantic Ocean on Monday after hitting stormy weather during a flight from Rio de Janeiro to Paris. ( ) Air France cancelled flights to and from Dubai and Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh. Emirates Emirates are resuming flights to Adelaide. ( ) Emirates, which operates out of Dubai, has suspended all flights to Iran and Iraq for the next week at least. Qatar Airways Qatar Airways has cancelled flights to Iraq, Iran and Syria. ( ) Qatar Airways has cancelled flights to Iran, Iraq and Syria It advised other passengers that some flight times may change to minimise disruptions. Etihad Airways In this May 4, 2014 file photo, an Etihad Airways plane prepares to land at the Abu Dhabi airport in the United Arab Emirates ( ) Etihad Airways warned its customers the situation remained “highly dynamic”. “Further changes or disruption, including sudden airspace closures or operational impact, may occur at short notice.”
Israel’s Airports Authority said so-called rescue flights to the country would expand on Monday to 24 a day, although each flight would be limited to 50 passengers.
Israeli airline El Al said it had received applications to leave the country from about 25,000 people in about a day.
“We always say if you’re not flying in the next 48 to 72 hours, just take a breath and let your travel agent or airline contact you,” Mr Long said.
He said early cancellations can backfire, especially when customers are trying to manage bookings on the cheapest fare types, which typically come with strict conditions.
“The worst thing you can do is pre-emptively cancel,” Mr Long said.
Could flight prices increase?
Given the volatility of the situation, Professor Tsui said the broader impacts on the aviation industry wouldn’t be known for days.
One impact of flying longer routes to avoid the region, he said, was it used more fuel.
“Whether the airline passes on the extra operational cost to passengers really depends on the airlines,” he said.
“But I predict that the airlines would pass on the cost to passengers, so maybe in the near future or in future bookings, their ticket price would be increased.”
He said another factor could be travellers cancelling their plans — perceiving, whether correctly or incorrectly, that travel was more dangerous at the moment.
“[In the past we have] seen the impacts of geopolitical risks or war affecting travel demand or tourist demand … [travellers being] more cautious, thinking about not just the ticket price itself but also their safety.”
ABC/Reuters
Middle East Keep Facing Flight Cancellations at DXB and Hamad International Airport with New Impending Travel Disruptions from Emirates, Qatar Airways, Flydubai, Etihad Airways, Lufthansa, KLM and Rya
Middle East Keep Facing Flight Cancellations at DXB and Hamad International Airport with New Impending Travel Disruptions. As tensions continue to escalate in the Middle East, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Flydubai, Etihad Airways, Lufthansa, KLM, and Ryanair are grappling with significant flight cancellations and disruptions across key airports. The ongoing geopolitical instability has forced multiple airlines to suspend or reroute flights, leading to widespread delays, cancellations, and uncertainty for travelers. These disruptions are expected to intensify, with continued airspace restrictions, further impacting travel plans for those flying in and out of the Middle Middle East. Countries such as Australia, Canada, Japan, and China are preparing evacuations from conflict zones, while the U.S. has delayed its decision on military intervention. This article provides an overview of the current situation, its impact on airlines, and the challenges faced by travelers. The article is based on a report by the International Association of Airline Pilots.
As of June 20, 2025, escalating geopolitical tensions between Israel and Iran have severely disrupted air travel across the Middle East, resulting in widespread flight cancellations, delays, and airspace closures. As tensions continue to escalate in the Middle East, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Flydubai, Etihad Airways, Lufthansa, KLM, and Ryanair are grappling with significant flight cancellations and disruptions across key airports, including Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Hamad International Airport. The ongoing geopolitical instability has forced multiple airlines to suspend or reroute flights, leading to widespread delays, cancellations, and uncertainty for travelers. These disruptions are expected to intensify, with continued airspace restrictions, further impacting travel plans for those flying in and out of the Middle East.The conflict, which intensified following Israeli airstrikes on Iranian military targets, has prompted several countries to close their airspace and suspend flight operations. This article provides an overview of the current situation, its impact on airlines, and the challenges faced by travelers. Middle East Airlines (MEA) has canceled flights to and from Iraq, while Emirates, Qatar Airways, El Al Airlines, and Flydubai have suspended flights to and from various destinations in Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Iran, and Israel. Other major carriers, including Turkish Airlines, Etihad Airways, Lufthansa, and Air France, have also canceled or rerouted flights, especially to and from Tel Aviv, Tehran, and Beirut. Many airlines, including Ryanair, KLM, and SWISS, have suspended flights to Tel Aviv, with cancellations expected to continue through the summer.
In addition to airline suspensions, several countries, including Iran, Iraq, Jordan, and Israel, have closed their airspace, further exacerbating the situation. Countries such as Australia, Canada, Japan, and China are preparing evacuations from conflict zones, while the U.S. has delayed its decision on military intervention. European and UN officials have called for peaceful resolutions to the conflict.
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Category Details Airline Cancellations Middle East Airlines (MEA) Canceled flights to/from Iraq (Baghdad) due to airspace closure. Emirates Suspended flights to/from Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Iran until June 15, 2025. Qatar Airways Canceled flights to/from Iran and Iraq temporarily. El Al Airlines Suspended all flights until June 19, with cancellations to many European cities extending until June 23, 2025. Flydubai Suspended flights to Amman, Beirut, Damascus, Iran, and Israel, with rerouted and canceled flights. Turkish Airlines Canceled flights to/from Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Jordan until June 16, 2025. Etihad Airways Canceled flights between Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv; delayed four others. Lufthansa Suspended all flights to/from Tel Aviv and Tehran until July 31, 2025, and flights to/from Amman, Erbil, and Beirut until June 20, 2025. Air France Suspended flights to/from Tel Aviv due to Israeli airspace closure. Ita Airways Extended suspension of flights to Tel Aviv until July 31, 2025. KLM Canceled all flights to/from Tel Aviv until July 1, 2025. Ryanair Canceled flights to/from Tel Aviv until August 31, 2025. SWISS Suspended Tel Aviv flights until October 25, 2025; Beirut flights suspended until end of July. Aegean Airlines Canceled all flights to/from Tel Aviv until July 12, 2025, and flights to/from Beirut, Amman, and Erbil until June 28, 2025. LOT Polish Airlines Not using Iranian airspace for flights to Asia. Wizz Air Suspended flights to Tel Aviv and rerouted affected flights due to airspace closures for the next 72 hours. Tarom Canceled all flights to/from Tel Aviv, Beirut, and Amman until June 16, 2025. AirBaltic Canceled all flights to/from Tel Aviv until June 23, 2025. Air India Suspended some long-haul flights and reduced frequencies due to a fatal crash. Airspace Closures Iran Suspended flights at Imam Khomeini International Airport; the airport was unaffected by attacks. Iraq Closed airspace, suspending flights at all airports. Jordan Closed airspace. Israel Declared a state of special emergency; shut down airspace, closed schools, and banned large gatherings. Evacuations & Travel Advisory Countries Affected Australia, Canada, Japan, and China are preparing evacuations from conflict zones. U.S. Military Intervention Delayed decision on military intervention. European and UN Officials Urged peaceful resolution, with upcoming meetings involving Iran’s foreign minister in Geneva. Conclusion Ongoing Israel-Iran conflict causes disruptions in air travel, with airlines suspending flights, and several countries closing airspace. Travelers should check with airlines for updated flight statuses and stay informed.
Dubai International Airport
Arrivals Arrival Time Scheduled Time Departure Airport Flight Number(s) Airline Terminal Passengers Status 11:07 08:10 Bishkek (FRU) FZ 1690 Flydubai T3 12 Delayed 12:53 08:10 Mineralnye Vody (MRV) FZ 978, EK 2317 Flydubai, Emirates T2 6 Delayed 08:53 08:15 Edinburgh (EDI) EK 024, QF 8024 Emirates, Qantas T3 10 Delayed 10:26 08:20 Astana (NQZ) FZ 1304 Flydubai T3 11 Delayed 12:59 08:30 Samara (KUF) FZ 996, EK 2309 Flydubai, Emirates T2 2 Delayed 09:36 08:30 Dublin (DUB) EK 164, QF 8164 Emirates, Qantas T3 5 Delayed 12:55 08:40 Moscow (VKO) FZ 966, EK 2253 Flydubai, Emirates T2 1 Delayed 09:54 08:40 New Delhi (DEL) AI 2207 Air India T1 3 Delayed 10:22 08:45 Almaty (ALA) FZ 1736 Flydubai T3 14 Delayed 10:01 09:25 Lucknow (LKO) FZ 444, EK 2243 Flydubai, Emirates T2 6 Delayed 10:16 09:30 Tashkent (TAS) C6 351 My Freighter Airlines T1 7 Delayed 09:30 – Tehran (IKA) W5 061 Mahan Air T1 – Cancelled 11:17 10:10 New Delhi (DEL) SG 011 SpiceJet T1 7 Delayed 11:03 10:20 Addis Ababa (ADD) FZ 642 Flydubai T2 4 Delayed 10:20 – Muscat (MCT) FZ 046, EK 2035 Flydubai, Emirates T2 – Cancelled 12:00 10:55 Astana (NQZ) KC 205 Air Astana T1 3 Delayed 11:00 – Damascus (DAM) RB 515 Syrian Air T1 – Cancelled 11:25 – Tehran (IKA) B9 9720 Iran Airtour Airline T1 – Cancelled 11:25 – Erbil (EBL) IA 107 Iraqi Airways T2 – Cancelled 12:11 11:35 Toronto (YYZ) EK 242 Emirates T3 6 Delayed 13:00 11:45 Mumbai (BOM) EK 505 Emirates T3 13 Delayed 12:48 11:55 Chisinau (RMO) 5F 153 FlyOne T1 4 Delayed 15:54 11:55 Moscow (VKO) FZ 968, EK 2467 Flydubai, Emirates T2 5 Delayed 13:37 12:00 Amritsar (ATQ) SG 055 SpiceJet T1 5 Delayed 13:03 12:00 Dallas (DFW) EK 222 Emirates T3 14 Delayed 12:51 12:20 Kabul (KBL) FZ 302, EK 2459 Flydubai, Emirates T2 3 Delayed 13:00 12:20 Istanbul (IST) TK 764 Turkish Airlines T1 3 Delayed 14:20 – Damascus (DAM) FZ 116 Flydubai T2 – Cancelled 14:53 14:20 Asmara (ASM) FZ 8500 Flydubai T2 1 Delayed 14:40 – Mashhad (MHD) IS 7356 Sepehran Airlines T2 – Cancelled 22:12 14:55 Madurai (IXM) SG 023 SpiceJet T1 5 Delayed 16:53 15:00 Beirut (BEY) FZ 158, EK 2489 Flydubai, Emirates T2 4 Delayed 21:13 15:00 Baku (GYD) FZ 710, EK 2199 Flydubai, Emirates T2 4 Delayed 21:06 15:30 Yerevan (EVN) FZ 718, EK 2207 Flydubai, Emirates T2 2 Delayed 20:42 15:45 Islamabad (ISB) PA 216 Airblue T1 1 Delayed
Departures
Departure Time Scheduled Time Destination Flight Number(s) Airline Terminal Gate Status 09:00 08:10 Yerevan (EVN) FZ 717, EK 2206 Flydubai T2 F9 Delayed 09:00 08:10 Baku (GYD) FZ 709, EK 2198 Flydubai T2 F5 Delayed 09:50 08:50 Amritsar (ATQ) IX 192, AI 9092 Air India Express T2 F4 Delayed 09:45 09:00 Riga (RIX) BT 792 Air Baltic T1 D7 Delayed 10:55 10:10 New Delhi (DEL) AI 2208 Air India T1 D13 Delayed 10:30 – Krabi (KBV) FZ 1481 Flydubai T3 B4 Cancelled 12:10 11:10 New Delhi (DEL) SG 006 SpiceJet T1 D12 Delayed 12:30 11:30 Mumbai (BOM) AI 910 Air India T1 D14 Delayed 12:45 11:55 Astana (NQZ) KC 206 Air Astana T1 D13 Delayed 12:25 – Erbil (EBL) IA 108 Iraqi Airways T2 F2 Cancelled
Hamad International Airport
As of Today: Time Scheduled Arrival Flight Number Airline Terminal Gate Status 08:42 London Heathrow (LHR) EK 006, FI 6024, GA 8842 Emirates T3 14 Delayed 08:57 Washington (IAD) EK 232 Emirates T3 5 Delayed 10:04 Bishkek (FRU) FZ 1690 Flydubai T3 14 Delayed 16:07 Mineralnye Vody (MRV) FZ 978, EK 2317 Flydubai T2 6 Delayed 10:12 Astana (NQZ) FZ 1304 Flydubai T3 3 Delayed 09:31 Sialkot (SKT) FZ 338, EK 2115 Flydubai T2 2 Delayed 09:12 Dublin (DUB) EK 164, QF 8164 Emirates T3 8 Delayed 12:01 Vnukovo (VKO) FZ 966, EK 2253 Flydubai T2 6 Delayed 10:48 Almaty (ALA) FZ 1736 Flydubai T3 13 Delayed 10:58 New Delhi (DEL) SG 011 SpiceJet T1 5 Delayed 12:05 Astana (NQZ) KC 205 Air Astana T1 1 Delayed 11:50 Lahore (LHE) EK 625, AC 7579 Emirates T3 6 Delayed 11:25 Tehran (IKA) B9 9720 Iran Airtour Airline T1 – Cancelled 13:23 Beijing (PEK) EK 309 Emirates T3 5 Delayed 12:07 Toronto (YYZ) EK 242 Emirates T3 2 Delayed 12:27 Islamabad (ISB) EK 613, AC 7571 Emirates T3 14 Delayed 12:35 Dallas (DFW) EK 6222 Emirates T3 4 Cancelled 14:03 Perth (PER) EK 425, AZ 5626, QF 8425 Emirates T3 6 Delayed 15:05 Lahore (LHE) ER 723 Serene Air T1 7 Delayed 14:28 Zanzibar (ZNZ) FZ 1260 Flydubai T3 4 Delayed 17:37 Basra (BSR) IA 127 Iraqi Airways T2 5 Delayed 21:10 Baku (GYD) FZ 710, EK 2199 Flydubai T2 3 Delayed 19:12 Madurai (IXM) SG 023 SpiceJet T1 3 Delayed 16:24 Beirut (BEY) FZ 158, EK 2489 Flydubai T2 4 Delayed 15:00 Lahore (LHE) PK 203 Pakistan International Airlines T1 7 Cancelled 16:45 Warsaw (WAW) FZ 1836 Flydubai T3 – Cancelled 17:30 Gheshm (GSM) QB 2200 Qeshm Air T2 1 Cancelled 17:40 Tbilisi (TBS) FZ 8626 Flydubai T2 – Cancelled 19:28 Seattle (SEA) EK 230 Emirates T3 10 Delayed 18:35 Newark (EWR) UA 164 United Airlines T3 – Cancelled 18:55 Mashhad (MHD) B9 9722 Iran Airtour Airline T1 – Cancelled 19:20 Seattle (SEA) EK 6230 Emirates T3 4 Cancelled 20:20 Los Angeles (LAX) EK 216 Emirates T3 6 Delayed 20:18 Istanbul Sabiha (SAW) FZ 752, EK 2225 Flydubai T2 1 Delayed 22:20 San Francisco (SFO) EK 226 Emirates T3 2 Delayed 19:45 Toronto (YYZ) AC 056 Air Canada T3 – Cancelled 22:07 Thiruvananthapuram (TRV) IX 539, AI 9207 Air India Express T2 6 Delayed 00:37 Tbilisi (TBS) FZ 712, EK 2201 Flydubai T2 2 Delayed Flight Number Airline Destination Scheduled Time Actual Departure Time Terminal Gate Status AY6688 Finnair Yerevan (EVN) 07:20 09:45 HIA Belt 6 Delayed LA5291 Latam Airlines Yerevan (EVN) 07:20 09:45 HIA Belt 6 Delayed QR286 Qatar Airways Yerevan (EVN) 07:20 09:45 HIA Belt 6 Delayed WB1487 RwandAir Yerevan (EVN) 07:20 09:45 HIA Belt 6 Delayed BA6349 British Airways Basra (BSR) 12:45 Not Assigned HIA Not Assigned Cancelled LA7441 Latam Airlines Basra (BSR) 12:45 Not Assigned HIA Not Assigned Cancelled QR449 Qatar Airways Basra (BSR) 12:45 Not Assigned HIA Not Assigned Cancelled AA8169 American Airlines Dhaka (DAC) 13:20 13:53 HIA Belt 4 Delayed BA6191 British Airways Dhaka (DAC) 13:20 13:53 HIA Belt 4 Delayed WY6567 Oman Air Dhaka (DAC) 13:20 13:53 HIA Belt 4 Delayed QR641 Qatar Airways Dhaka (DAC) 13:20 13:53 HIA Belt 4 Delayed RJ3806 Royal Jordanian Dhaka (DAC) 13:20 13:53 HIA Belt 4 Delayed IB6357 Iberia Airlines Manila (MNL) 13:50 15:05 HIA Belt 8 Delayed QR935 Qatar Airways Manila (MNL) 13:50 15:05 HIA Belt 8 Delayed QR445 Qatar Airways Baghdad (BGW) 13:55 Not Assigned HIA Not Assigned Cancelled AY6689 Finnair Copenhagen (CPH) 16:05 17:29 HIA Not Assigned Delayed MH9256 Malaysia Airlines Copenhagen (CPH) 16:05 17:29 HIA Not Assigned Delayed WY6119 Oman Air Copenhagen (CPH) 16:05 17:29 HIA Not Assigned Delayed QR162 Qatar Airways Copenhagen (CPH) 16:05 17:29 HIA Not Assigned Delayed WB1109 RwandAir Copenhagen (CPH) 16:05 17:29 HIA Not Assigned Delayed UL3554 Srilankan Airlines Copenhagen (CPH) 16:05 17:29 HIA Not Assigned Delayed VA6017 Virgin Australia Copenhagen (CPH) 16:05 17:29 HIA Not Assigned Delayed AA8116 American Airlines New York (JFK) 18:15 18:58 HIA Not Assigned Delayed B65551 JetBlue New York (JFK) 18:15 18:58 HIA Not Assigned Delayed MH9066 Malaysia Airlines New York (JFK) 18:15 18:58 HIA Not Assigned Delayed WY6042 Oman Air New York (JFK) 18:15 18:58 HIA Not Assigned Delayed QR702 Qatar Airways New York (JFK) 18:15 18:58 HIA Not Assigned Delayed WB1057 RwandAir New York (JFK) 18:15 18:58 HIA Not Assigned Delayed UL3512 Srilankan Airlines New York (JFK) 18:15 18:58 HIA Not Assigned Delayed QR413 Qatar Airways Damascus (DAM) 21:05 Not Assigned HIA Not Assigned Cancelled
Airspace Closures and Flight Cancellations
In response to the escalating conflict, multiple countries in the Middle East have closed their airspace to civil aviation. Notably, Israel, Iran, Iraq, and Jordan have implemented airspace restrictions, leading to significant disruptions in flight operations. Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport has been closed, and Iranian airports such as Imam Khomeini International Airport have suspended flights. Additionally, Iraq and Jordan have closed their airspace, further complicating air travel in the region.
These airspace closures have forced airlines to cancel or reroute flights, particularly those operating to and from affected countries. Major international carriers, including Lufthansa, Air France, and KLM, have suspended flights to Tel Aviv and Tehran until further notice. Similarly, regional airlines such as Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Flydubai have canceled or diverted flights to destinations in Iran, Iraq, and Syria.
The ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, particularly the Israel-Iran conflict, have resulted in significant disruptions to global air travel. Several airlines have suspended or canceled flights to and from key destinations in the region, as well as rerouted others to avoid airspace closures. Below is a summary of the affected airlines and their routes:
Emirates
Suspended Routes: Flights to and from Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Israel were canceled until mid-June. These cancellations reflect the broader airspace restrictions and concerns over safety in the region.
Qatar Airways
Suspended Routes: Qatar Airways canceled flights to and from Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Jordan until mid-June. The airline has been forced to suspend operations on these routes due to the ongoing conflict and airspace issues.
Flydubai
Suspended Routes: Flydubai has suspended flights to Amman, Beirut, Damascus, Iran, and Israel, with several of these flights being either rerouted or canceled due to the impact of regional tensions on flight operations.
Etihad Airways
Suspended Routes: Etihad Airways has canceled flights to and from Tel Aviv, as well as extended delays on some flights to Amman, due to regional security concerns and airspace restrictions.
Air Arabia
Suspended Routes: Air Arabia suspended flights to Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Israel, Russia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. These cancellations reflect the wide-reaching impact of the regional conflict on international air travel.
Lufthansa
Suspended Routes: Lufthansa canceled flights to Tehran and rerouted flights to avoid Iranian, Iraqi, and Israeli airspace, which were impacted by the conflict and security concerns in the region.
Air France
Suspended Routes: Air France has indefinitely suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv, in line with the travel advisories and the broader suspension of flights to Israel due to the ongoing tensions.
KLM
Suspended Routes: KLM canceled flights to Tel Aviv until at least the beginning of July, as airspace restrictions and safety concerns continue to affect flight operations.
Ryanair
Suspended Routes: Ryanair has suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv until the end of August, in response to the escalating conflict in the region and the associated airspace closures.
SWISS International Air Lines
Suspended Routes: SWISS suspended flights to Tel Aviv until October 25 and to Beirut until the end of July, as part of the airline’s response to the evolving situation in the Middle East.
Aegean Airlines
Suspended Routes: Aegean Airlines canceled flights to Tel Aviv, Beirut, Amman, and Erbil through the end of June, as the airline navigates airspace restrictions and safety concerns in the region.
Delta Air Lines
Suspended Routes: Delta Air Lines suspended flights from New York to Tel Aviv through the end of August, following the closure of Israeli airspace and security concerns over the region.
Aeroflot
Suspended Routes: Aeroflot has canceled flights between Moscow and Tehran, and rerouted flights to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, and the Maldives through Pakistani airspace to avoid the closed regions.
Pegasus Airlines
Suspended Routes: Pegasus Airlines suspended flights to Iran until June 19 and to Iraq and Jordan until mid-June. These suspensions were made to comply with airspace closures and to ensure passenger safety.
Yemenia Airways
Suspended Routes: Yemenia Airways suspended or terminated flights to and from several destinations, including Dubai, Sharjah, and Sanaa, as a result of the ongoing conflict and airspace restrictions in the Middle East.
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Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Egypt Air and More Disrupted by Over 500 Flight Cancellations and Delays at Major Middle East Airports Amid Israel Iran Conflict Airspace Restrictions
Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Egypt Air and More Disrupted by Over 500 Flight Cancellations and Delays at Major Middle East Airports. Israel-Iran conflict forced airlines to reroute or suspend operations at key hubs including Dubai, Ben Gurion, Queen Alia, Sharjah, Imam Khomeini, and Istanbul Sabiha. A combined total of 518 flights were recorded across six of the Middle East’s busiest aviation hubs. In the past 24 hours alone, more than 500 flights were either cancelled or delayed across major regional airports as carriers scrambled to adjust operations in response to airspace restrictions and rerouting driven by the ongoing conflict. The airspace closures, though not formally declared, have functioned as de facto restrictions for many international carriers who have rerouted or paused service to avoid potential danger. Even international carriers like United Airlines, Delta, Etihad, and Air France pulled out multiple flights, citing security risks and airspace restrictions over Israel and neighboring areas. The cancellations mirror escalating defense measures across Israeli skies, where only select flights are permitted, and air traffic control remains highly restrictive.
Over 500 flights were cancelled or delayed across major Middle Eastern airports as Emirates, Qatar Airways, Kuwait Airways, Oman Air, EgyptAir, and other regional carriers faced widespread disruption caused by escalating airspace restrictions linked to the Israel-Iran conflict. The sudden shift in regional air safety protocols forced airlines to reroute or suspend operations at key hubs including Dubai, Ben Gurion, Queen Alia, Sharjah, Imam Khomeini, and Istanbul Sabiha, triggering a ripple effect of grounded planes, congested skies, and stranded passengers throughout the region.
The escalating tensions between Israel and Iran have caused ripple effects far beyond military and diplomatic circles—Middle Eastern skies are now in turmoil. In the past 24 hours alone, more than 500 flights were either cancelled or delayed across major regional airports as carriers scrambled to adjust operations in response to airspace restrictions and rerouting driven by the ongoing conflict.
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At the center of the disruption are airlines like Emirates, Qatar Airways, Kuwait Airways, Oman Air, EgyptAir, Etihad, Royal Jordanian, FlyDubai, and Air Arabia, all of which faced severe operational setbacks. A combined total of 518 flights—154 cancellations and 364 delays—were recorded across six of the Middle East’s busiest aviation hubs: Dubai, Ben Gurion, Queen Alia, Sharjah, Imam Khomeini, and Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen.
Dubai Faces Regional Fallout
Dubai International Airport (DXB), one of the world’s busiest, reported 374 delays and 80 cancellations, with FlyDubai being the hardest hit. The low-cost carrier saw 68 flights canceled and 131 delayed, accounting for over 35% of its operations for the day. Emirates, Dubai’s flagship airline, avoided cancellations but still logged 128 delays—a sign of how congested rerouted air corridors have become as conflict-affected zones close down.
Though the UAE is not directly involved in the hostilities, it sits at the crossroads of multiple rerouted air paths. With traffic from Iran, Israel, and neighboring countries diverted away from military-sensitive zones, airlines using UAE-controlled airspace have faced cascading delays and last-minute schedule changes.
Ben Gurion Airport in Crisis Mode
Israel’s Ben Gurion International Airport saw the most severe direct impact. With 153 flight cancellations and just 2 delays, the airport was effectively on operational lockdown. Israir alone cancelled 52 flights, while El Al dropped 50 from its schedule. Even international carriers like United Airlines, Delta, Etihad, and Air France pulled out multiple flights, citing security risks and airspace restrictions over Israel and neighboring areas.
The cancellations mirror escalating defense measures across Israeli skies, where only select flights are permitted, and air traffic control remains highly restrictive. Foreign airlines continue to reassess their safety strategies, with some suspending operations entirely until the situation stabilizes.
Iran’s Imam Khomeini Airport Also Hit
Over in Tehran, Imam Khomeini International Airport experienced 26 cancellations and 4 delays, with Iranian carrier Mahan Air and FlyDubai among the most affected. Tensions have kept Iranian airspace under tight control, with many outbound and inbound routes suspended or rechanneled. The airspace closures, though not formally declared, have functioned as de facto restrictions for many international carriers who have rerouted or paused service to avoid potential danger.
Jordan, Sharjah, and Istanbul Feel the Shockwaves
Queen Alia International Airport in Amman saw 40 cancellations and 36 delays, primarily affecting Royal Jordanian, Pegasus Airlines, and Air Arabia. Though Jordan hasn’t shut its airspace, the country’s proximity to the Israeli border and Syria has led to heightened caution, flight reroutes, and operational delays.
Sharjah International Airport, another busy UAE hub, reported 26 cancellations and 51 delays, mostly centered around Air Arabia. Despite not being in the direct flight path of the conflict, regional network congestion and aircraft repositioning have slowed schedules significantly.
Meanwhile, Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport—a key transit point for East-West travel—registered 28 cancellations and 175 delays. Pegasus Airlines alone saw over 100 delayed flights, underscoring how regional tension in the Middle East can quickly spill into broader networks. While Turkey’s skies remain open, the sheer volume of rerouted traffic and cautionary protocols created a bottleneck in schedules.
Airlines Scramble to Adapt to a Shifting Sky
Across the region, airlines are facing a growing challenge: how to adapt quickly to a dynamic and volatile airspace environment. Qatar Airways, Etihad, Oman Air, Kuwait Airways, and EgyptAir are among those recalibrating their routes daily, seeking safer but longer paths across already congested corridors.
For passengers, the situation has meant long hours in terminals, missed connections, and last-minute cancellations. Many carriers have relaxed rebooking and refund policies, but with airspace corridors changing rapidly, the certainty of any schedule is fragile.
Warnings From Aviation Authorities
Civil aviation regulators in the region, along with organizations like the International Air Transport Association (IATA), have urged airlines to avoid overflying conflict zones and remain in close coordination with defense authorities. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has also issued updated conflict zone bulletins, advising caution when flying over Middle Eastern airspace.
Some governments have already started advising citizens to avoid non-essential travel through the region. Analysts warn that if the conflict intensifies or spreads further, more airspace closures could follow, potentially grounding even more flights and crippling regional air connectivity.
Here is a clear, airport-wise breakdown of Middle Eastern airline disruptions, showing both cancellations and delays at each of the six listed airports:
Dubai International Airport (DXB)
FlyDubai :
• 68 cancellations
• 131 delays
: • 68 cancellations • 131 delays Emirates :
• 0 cancellations
• 128 delays
: • 0 cancellations • 128 delays Etihad Airways :
• 0 cancellations
• 0 delays
: • 0 cancellations • 0 delays Qatar Airways :
• 0 cancellations
• 2 delays
: • 0 cancellations • 2 delays Kuwait Airways :
• 0 cancellations
• 0 delays
: • 0 cancellations • 0 delays Oman Air :
• 0 cancellations
• 1 delay
: • 0 cancellations • 1 delay EgyptAir :
• 0 cancellations
• 0 delays
: • 0 cancellations • 0 delays Jazeera Airways :
• 0 cancellations
• 3 delays
: • 0 cancellations • 3 delays Flynas :
• 0 cancellations
• 6 delays
: • 0 cancellations • 6 delays Syrian Arab Airlines:
• 1 cancellation
• 0 delays
Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV)
El Al :
• 50 cancellations
• 0 delays
: • 50 cancellations • 0 delays Israir :
• 52 cancellations
• 2 delays
: • 52 cancellations • 2 delays Etihad Airways :
• 3 cancellations
• 0 delays
: • 3 cancellations • 0 delays Qatar Airways:
• Not listed
• Likely rerouted or suspended
Queen Alia International Airport (AMM)
Royal Jordanian :
• 19 cancellations
• 19 delays
: • 19 cancellations • 19 delays Air Arabia :
• 5 cancellations
• 0 delays
: • 5 cancellations • 0 delays Middle East Airlines :
• 0 cancellations
• 3 delays
: • 0 cancellations • 3 delays Qatar Airways :
• 1 cancellation
• 1 delay
: • 1 cancellation • 1 delay Jazeera Airways :
• 0 cancellations
• 2 delays
: • 0 cancellations • 2 delays EgyptAir :
• 0 cancellations
• 3 delays
: • 0 cancellations • 3 delays Etihad Airways:
• 0 cancellations
• 3 delays
Sharjah International Airport (SHJ
Air Arabia :
• 25 cancellations
• 40 delays
: • 25 cancellations • 40 delays Qatar Airways:
• 0 cancellations
• 1 delay
Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA)
FlyDubai :
• 8 cancellations
• 0 delays
: • 8 cancellations • 0 delays Qatar Airways :
• 4 cancellations
• 0 delays
: • 4 cancellations • 0 delays Mahan Air :
• 4 cancellations
• 4 delays
: • 4 cancellations • 4 delays Air Arabia:
• 2 cancellations
• 0 delays
Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW)
Pegasus Airlines (partly Turkey-based, serves Middle East routes):
• 26 cancellations
• 112 delays
(partly Turkey-based, serves Middle East routes): • 26 cancellations • 112 delays FlyDubai :
• 2 cancellations
• 2 delays
: • 2 cancellations • 2 delays Flynas :
• 0 cancellations
• 2 delays
: • 0 cancellations • 2 delays Kuwait Airways :
• 0 cancellations
• 2 delays
: • 0 cancellations • 2 delays Qatar Airways :
• 0 cancellations
• 2 delays
: • 0 cancellations • 2 delays Air Arabia Egypt :
• 0 cancellations
• 2 delays
: • 0 cancellations • 2 delays Air Arabia :
• 0 cancellations
• 1 delay
: • 0 cancellations • 1 delay flyadeal:
• 0 cancellations
• 2 delays
Over 500 flight cancellations and delays hit Emirates, Qatar Airways, Kuwait Airways, Oman Air, EgyptAir, and others as escalating airspace restrictions from the Israel-Iran conflict disrupted operations across major Middle East airports. The widespread rerouting and suspended routes caused chaos at hubs like Dubai, Ben Gurion, Sharjah, and more.
The Outlook: Uncertain Skies Ahead
With 518 flights already impacted in a single day, the Israel-Iran conflict has become one of the most disruptive aviation flashpoints in recent Middle Eastern history. Airlines like Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Royal Jordanian are bracing for more turbulence ahead, both literal and political.
As the skies over the Middle East grow increasingly unpredictable, the region’s carriers and passengers alike are caught in a holding pattern—waiting for clearer routes, calmer borders, and a path back to normalcy.
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Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/25/travel/flight-cancellations-delays-summer-travel.html