Airlines Cancel Over 23,000 Flights as Iran War Disrupts Middle East Air Travel

The aviation industry is facing mounting pressure as the Iran war continues to disrupt global flight networks, with more than 23,000 flights to Middle East hubs canceled since fighting began. According to analytics firm Cirium Ltd., of the roughly 36,000 flights scheduled to or from the region since Feb. 28, more than half have been scrapped, removing about 4.4 million seats from the market and leaving thousands of travelers stranded across the Gulf. The disruptions come as the US and Israel launched a joint attack that triggered escalating security concerns across regional airspace.

Airlines around the world have been extending suspensions as the conflict complicates operations across key travel corridors. Emirates, the world's largest international airline, said it extended its suspension of flights to and from Dubai through the end of Saturday, marking roughly a week since the attacks began. Qatar Airways has also prolonged the halt of services from its Doha hub, while carriers including Air France-KLM (AFLYY), British Airways, Lufthansa Group and Singapore Airlines have suspended multiple routes across the region. Delta Air Lines DAL said its New YorkTel Aviv flights remain paused through at least March 22.

The ripple effects are spreading through global travel networks as airlines and governments try to maintain limited connectivity. Many passengers are now taking longer and more expensive routes through airports in Saudi Arabia and Oman to reach operating hubs. At the same time, the United Arab Emirates said it is establishing safe air corridors capable of handling as many as 48 flights per hour, while airlines begin operating evacuation, cargo and repatriation flights for stranded travelers as demand builds on the remaining routes.