The Middle East's busiest aviation corridors ground to a halt overnight as US strikes on Iran triggered sweeping airspace closures across the Gulf, forcing Dubai and Doha, two of the world's most connected aviation hubs, to suspend operations. Dubai International Airport halted flights after President Donald Trump confirmed 'major combat operations' against Iran, with the ripple effect reaching Qatar within hours.
Tens of thousands of passengers were stranded or diverted mid-journey as governments moved swiftly to close their skies. Iran and Iraq shuttered their airspace first, with closures extending rapidly across neighbouring states, including the UAE and Qatar.
