Travel Chaos Hits Dubai Airport
Dubai International Airport saw 638 flight cancellations and 197 delays impacting routes to the U.S., UK, India, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia as tens of thousands scramble for flights out of the Middle East. The U.S. raised its travel advisory for Cyprus to Level 3 following a drone strike on a British base.
The complete shutdown of Dubai's airspace on March 7, 2026, followed direct missile threats connected to the widening conflict between Iran and a US-Israeli coalition that began on February 28. The closure led to the grounding of major carriers like Emirates and FlyDubai and forced the suspension of operations at Jebel Ali Port, a hub responsible for 36% of Dubai's GDP. This disruption is the largest to the region's air network since the COVID-19 pandemic, with over 21,300 flights canceled across seven major airports in the Gulf. The economic toll of the Dubai airport closure alone is estimated at as much as $1 million per minute, which could amount to $1.44 billion for a full 24-hour shutdown. The conflict has had far-reaching consequences, triggering a drone attack on the British Royal Air Force base at Akrotiri in Cyprus around midnight on March 1. A Shahed-type drone, believed to have been launched by Hezbollah or another pro-Iranian militia from Lebanon or Iraq, struck a hangar at the base, causing damage but no casualties. Two other drones targeting the base were later intercepted. The attack on RAF Akrotiri, the first against a British military installation on Cyprus in 40 years, prompted the evacuation of military families from the base. In response, the UK has dispatched a warship and helicopters with counter-drone capabilities to better protect its personnel and assets in Cyprus. The closure of Gulf airspace has removed approximately 20% of the flight capacity between Asia and Europe. This has caused a surge in airfares on alternative routes, with one-way economy tickets for flights like Hong Kong to London soaring to as much as $2,705, up to five times the normal price. As of March 7, Dubai Airports announced a partial resumption of operations, with a limited number of flights departing from Dubai International (DXB) and Al Maktoum International (DWC). Airlines are prioritizing stranded passengers, and travelers are strongly advised not to go to the airport unless their flight has been confirmed by the airline.
