The US-Israeli war with Iran continues to cause major travel problems in the Middle East, with airspace closures leading to huge numbers of flight cancellations, rerouted journeys, and delays.
Brits who are planning trips to the region are being told to review their travel plans, with the Foreign Office warning against travel to the UAE and urging those already in destinations like Dubai and Qatar to shelter in place and to limit movements to essential journeys only.
Dubai International Airport is still operational with a limited service, but has closed for periods on Tuesday and Wednesday.
On Tuesday morning, the airport was forced to temporarily pause operations amid a missile threat from Iran, while flights were paused on Wednesday after a drone strike wounded four people.
Authorities confirmed that two Iranian drones struck close to the airport, which resulted in minor injuries to two Ghanaian nationals and one Bangladeshi national, and moderate injuries to one Indian national.
Social media footage from Dubai International shows a packed airport with thousands trying to leave following days of delays and cancellations.
Exodus in Dubai airport.pic.twitter.com/6u6EQR50m7
— BM🌲🔅 (@BmTrvlfunz) March 11, 2026
Meanwhile, a number of operators continue to cancel services to and from destinations in the Middle East.
British Airways has announced it would be drastically reducing its flight schedule to the region.
A BA statement read: “Due to the continuing uncertainty of the situation in the Middle East and airspace instability, we’ve had to temporarily reduce our flying schedule in the region.
“We’ve cancelled all flights to and from Amman, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai and Tel Aviv until later this month and to and from Abu Dhabi until later this year."
All British Airways flights to Middle Eastern destinations other than Abu Dhabi are now cancelled until at least March 28.
The airline has been operating a limited number of repatriation flights from Muscat to London Heathrow, but announced it would pause these flights after March 12 due to reduced demand.
Virgin Atlantic and KLM have also announced they would be cancelling all flights to and from Dubai, citing the ongoing geopolitical unrest.
Other major airlines such as Etihad, Emirates, Saudi Airlines and Qatar Airways are still operating limited repatriation flights to and from the region.
Emirates announced that they expect to bring back full network operations soon, posting on X: “The airline anticipates a return to 100 per cent of its network within the coming days, subject to airspace availability and the fulfilment of all operational requirements.
UK government-chartered flights have also been repatriating UK nationals from the Middle East, with more than 37,000 British nationals returning to the UK since March 1 according to the government. 7,000 returned on Sunday March 8 alone.
As long as airspace restrictions remain in place, the authorities, airlines and airports are strongly advising passengers not to travel to the airport unless they have a confirmed booking.
A statement from Dubai Airports reads: “Dubai Airports continues to closely monitor the situation in coordination with relevant authorities and our focus remains on maintaining the highest standards of operational safety, security, and wellbeing of passengers and staff. We appreciate your patience and understanding.”
Cancelled flights from the UAE to London
Friday March 13:
15:20 Dubai to London Heathrow - Virgin Atlantic
Cancelled flights from London to UAE
Friday March 13:
22:10 London Heathrow to Dubai - Virgin Atlantic
Cancelled flights from elsewhere in the Middle East to London
Friday March 13:
05:55 Doha to London Gatwick - Qatar Airways
06:20 Bahrain to London Gatwick - Gulf Air
06:25 Doha to London Heathrow - Qatar Airways
09:00 Kuwait to London Heathrow - Kuwait Airways
12:15 Doha to London Heathrow - Qatar Airways
12:35 Doha to London Gatwick - Qatar Airways
13:35 Kuwait to London Heathrow - Kuwait Airways
14:45 Bahrain to London Heathrow - Gulf Air
17:05 Riyadh to London Heathrow - Qatar Airways
17:25 Doha to London Heathrow - Qatar Airways
19:50 Doha to London Heathrow - Qatar Airways
21:55 Doha to London Heathrow - Qatar Airways
22:40 Doha to London Heathrow - Qatar Airways
Cancelled flights from London to the Middle East
Friday March 13:
08:40 London Heathrow to Doha - Qatar Airways
09:00 London Gatwick to Doha - Qatar Airways
10:35 London Gatwick to Bahrain - Gulf Air
10:45 London Heathrow to Kuwait - Kuwait Airways
13:40 London Heathrow to Doha - British Airways
14:05 London Gatwick to Doha - Qatar Airways
14:15 London Heathrow to Doha - Qatar Airways
15:30 London Heathrow to Doha - Qatar Airways
15:45 London Heathrow to Kuwait - Kuwait Airways
15:50 London Heathrow to Riyadh - Virgin Atlantic
18:55 London Heathrow to Doha - Qatar Airways
19:25 London Heathrow to Riyadh - Qatar Airways
21:50 London Heathrow to Bahrain - Gulf Air
Scheduled flights to London from Middle East
Saturday March 14:
05:15 Riyadh to London Heathrow - British Airways
05:55 Muscat to London Heathrow - Oman Air
06:35 Bahrain to London Heathrow - Gulf Air (cancelled)
07:10 Dubai to London Heathrow - Emirates
07:30 Riyadh to London Heathrow - Saudia
07:30 Riyadh to London Heathrow - Riyadh Air
07:40 Riyadh to London Heathrow - Virgin Atlantic (cancelled)
10:45 Beirut to London Heathrow - MEA
11:40 Dubai to London Heathrow - Emirates
12:15 Jeddah to London Heathrow - Saudia
13:45 Kuwait to London Heathrow - Kuwait Airways (cancelled)
13:50 Dubai to London Heathrow - Emirates
14:15 Riyadh to London Heathrow - Saudia
14:20 Muscat to London Heathrow - Oman Air
14:45 Amman to London Heathrow - Royal Jordanian
14:45 Bahrain to London Heathrow - Gulf Air (cancelled)
15:20 Dubai to London Heathrow - Virgin Atlantic (cancelled)
16:05 Kuwait to London Heathrow - Kuwait Airways (cancelled)
16:10 Dubai to London Heathrow - Emirates
16.10 Jeddah to London Heathrow - Saudia
16:15 Dammam to London Heathrow - Gulf Air
17:25 Doha to London Heathrow - Qatar Airways
17:40 Dubai to London Heathrow - Emirates
18:20 Dubai to London Heathrow - Emirates
18:25 Muscat to London Heathrow - Oman Air
18:30 Abu Dhabi to London Heathrow - Etihad
20:00 Dubai to London Heathrow - Emirates
20:20 Dammam to London Heathrow - Saudia
Scheduled flights from London to the Middle East
Saturday March 14:
08:25 London Heathrow to Muscat - Oman Air
08:50 London Heathrow to Abu Dhabi - Etihad Airways
09:10 London Heathrow to Dubai - Emirates
09:30 London Heathrow to Bahrain - Gulf Air (cancelled)
09:30 London Heathrow to Riyadh - Riyadh Air
10:00 London Heathrow to Riyadh - Saudia
12:10 London Heathrow to Beirut - MEA
13:25 London Heathrow to Riyadh - British Airways
13:40 London Heathrow to Dubai - Emirates
14:15 London Heathrow to Jeddah - Saudia
15:45 London Heathrow to Kuwait - Kuwait Airways (cancelled)
15:50 London Heathrow to Dubai - Emirates
15:55 London Heathrow to Muscat - Oman Air
16:05 London Heathrow to Amman - Royal Jordanian
16:15 London Heathrow to Riyadh - Saudia
18:00 London Heathrow to Jeddah - Saudia
18:10 London Heathrow to Kuwait - Kuwait Airways (cancelled)
19:00 London Heathrow to Dubai - Emirates
20:05 London Heathrow to Muscat - Oman Air
20:10 London Heathrow to Abu Dhabi - Etihad Airways
20:20 London Heathrow to Dubai - Emirates
20:20 London Heathrow to Jeddah - British Airways
21:20 London Heathrow to Dubai - Emirates
21:30 London Heathrow to Doha - Qatar Airways
21:50 London Heathrow to Bahrain - Gulf Air (cancelled)
22:00 London Heathrow to Dubai - Emirates
22:05 London Heathrow to Jeddah - Saudia
22:10 London Heathrow to Dubai - Virgin Atlantic (cancelled)
22:20 London Heathrow to Tel Aviv - El Al
22:30 London Heathrow to Dammam - Gulf Air
