Late Monday night, a sudden escalation in regional tensions led to the closure of UAE and Qatar airspace, severely disrupting commercial air traffic across the Gulf. The airspace shutdown came after missiles were launched from Iran targeting U.S. bases in Qatar and Iraq, triggering widespread flight cancellations, diversions, and delays.
The disruption affected hundreds of flights to and from some of the world’s busiest aviation hubs, including Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi, as well as smaller airports like Sharjah. Airlines across continents were forced to reroute or ground aircraft, throwing schedules into chaos.
Several flights from India were directly impacted. Among those forced to turn back from the Arabian Sea were flights from Lucknow to Dammam, Mumbai to Kuwait, and Amritsar to Dubai. Others were placed on indefinite hold or rerouted via alternate airspaces, leading to significant delays and logistical challenges.
Airlines and aviation authorities are closely monitoring the situation. Passengers scheduled to travel to the region are advised to check with their respective airlines for the latest updates and possible rescheduling.
As geopolitical tensions rise, aviation experts warn of further disruptions unless diplomatic efforts lead to rapid de-escalation.