UK-Middle East flights disrupted - as Dubai and Doha airports suspend services

UK flights to the Middle East have been cancelled - and airports in Dubai and Doha have grounded all services - after the US began attacking Iran.

Multiple cities in Iran were hit by missiles, while counter strikes targeted US bases in Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE and Kuwait - as well as sites in Israel.

The UK Foreign Office (FCDO) warned Britons in those countries to "immediately shelter in place" and to avoid travel to Israel and Palestine.

Iran latest: US launches 'major combat operations'

"Remain indoors in a secure location, avoid all travel and follow instructions from the local authorities," advised the FCDO.

British Airways told Sky News it had cancelled flights to Tel Aviv and Bahrain up to 3 March, as well as Saturday's Amman, Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Doha services.

It said customers would be able to change their flights for free.

One BA flight from London to Doha, Qatar's capital, was forced to turn around mid-flight earlier, according to flight tracking websites.

London Heathrow said "a small number of flights" had been cancelled or delayed and advised travellers to check with their airline.

Its departures board showed cancellations including an Emirates flight to Dubai, a Qatar Airways flight to Doha, and an Etihad service to Abu Dhabi.

Other UK airports are set for similar problems, with a spokesperson for Gatwick "expecting disruption to our Qatar and Emirates flights".

Manchester Airport departures showed an 8.40pm Emirates flight to Dubai had been cancelled and it shared a Civil Aviation Authority post telling people to check with their airline.

Wizz Air also confirmed flights between London Luton to Tel Aviv, in both directions, were suspended until 7 March, but that "operational decisions will continue to be reviewed".

Virgin Atlantic said routes from destinations including India and the Maldives would be altered for safety reasons, meaning journeys could take longer.

Many other big airlines have also paused flights to the Middle East and some routes flying over the region, including Delta, Lufthansa, Cathay Pacific and Turkish Airlines.

India's airlines are also suffering serious disruption due to the crisis on its doorstep.

Its aviation ministry said more than 400 flights by domestic carriers had been cancelled on Saturday and a similar number are expected on Sunday.

Dubai airports at standstill

The worst disruption is likely to be felt by the grounding of flights at Dubai's main airport, the world's busiest for international traffic.

People jetting out for a winter break - and the thousands who change aircraft there - are likely to have their plans thrown into chaos after the UAE closed its airspace.

All flights at Dubai's International, Dubai World Central (Al Maktoum) and Abu Dhabi's Zayed International have been suspended.

At least 90,000 people transfer every day in Dubai, Doha or Abu Dhabi on just three airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways, according to analytics firm Cirium.

People were filmed running for shelter as air raid sirens sounded in Dubai on Saturday. At least three big blasts were heard over the city, witnesses told Reuters.

A fire broke out near the entrance of the five-star Fairmont The Palm hotel after debris reportedly fell from an Iranian missile.

Read more:
Big blasts heard over Dubai as people run for cover
Where has been hit by strikes and counter-strikes?

A Dubai airports statement called the closures an "exceptional precautionary measure", while Emirates said safety was its "highest priority" as it halted flights.

"You have crews, planes and passengers stranded all over the world. It's a massive logistical nightmare," a Gulf airline source told Reuters.

Qatar's international airport also suspended all services after the country's airspace was shut down.

Video showed people running for cover as a missile - which was likely intercepted - fell into a residential area in its capital, Doha.

America's largest regional air base, al Udeid, is near the city and Iran has deemed all US bases in the region as fair game.

(c) Sky News 2026: UK-Middle East flights disrupted - as Dubai and Doha airports suspend services