Flight Disruptions in the GCC: What Investors and Businesses Need to Know About the Impact on Regional Trade and Commerce
Muscat: Air traffic across the Middle East has been significantly disrupted following recent US-Israel attacks on Iran. According to data from Cirium, several countries reported notable flight cancellations: Saudi Arabia experienced 28 cancellations, representing 2.19% of its 1,277 scheduled flights; the UAE recorded an 8.81% cancellation rate; Qatar 10.15%; Iran 2.61%; Oman 4.10%; Jordan 13.33%; and Bahrain 8.82%.
Looking ahead to combined cancellations for today and tomorrow, the rates are projected as follows: UAE 5.08%, Qatar 20.14%, Saudi Arabia 1.27%, Jordan 10.55%, Iran 1.43%, Bahrain 5.13%, and Oman 2.03%.
On Saturday, airlines suspended flights across the region, including services to and from Dubai, the world’s busiest travel hub. Flight tracking displayed nearly empty airspace over Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, and Bahrain. Dubai Airports announced the suspension of all flights at Dubai International Airport—handling nearly 100 million passengers last year—and Al Maktoum International Airport until further notice, urging passengers not to travel.
Emirates confirmed a temporary halt in operations to and from Dubai due to multiple regional airspace closures. Its sister carrier, flydubai, also suspended operations temporarily. Similarly, Etihad Airways suspended all Abu Dhabi departures until 1000 GMT on Sunday, cancelling inbound flights expected before that time. Flights already en route to Abu Dhabi are being returned to their origin airports where necessary.
The Middle East hosts some of the busiest airports globally, serving as critical connecting hubs for flights between Europe and Asia, spanning from Iran and Iraq to the Mediterranean. In response to the ongoing conflict, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) recommended that airlines avoid the affected airspace.
Lufthansa announced a suspension of flights to and from Dubai on Saturday and Sunday, with some routes paused until March 7. Qatar Airways and Kuwait Airways have temporarily halted flights, whereas Turkish Airlines canceled several Middle Eastern routes. Kuwait’s aviation authority suspended all flights to Iran until further notice, and Oman Air ceased all flights to Baghdad due to regional tensions.
KLM expedited its suspension of the Amsterdam-Tel Aviv route, canceling its Saturday flight following strikes in Iran. The airline had initially planned to halt flights starting March 1. Virgin Atlantic temporarily avoided Iraqi airspace, resulting in some flight route adjustments.
These disruptions underscore the delicate situation affecting Middle Eastern air travel amid escalating geopolitical tensions.
Special Analysis by Omanet | Navigate Oman’s Market
The recent disruption of air traffic in the Middle East, with Oman experiencing a 4.10% flight cancellation rate, highlights the vulnerability of the region’s aviation sector to geopolitical tensions. For businesses in Oman, this signals potential delays in supply chains and reduced connectivity, while smart investors should consider diversifying interests away from sectors heavily reliant on stable regional air travel. Entrepreneurs can explore opportunities in alternative logistics and digital communication solutions to mitigate the impact of such disruptions.
