which airspace is closed
Several key parts of Middle Eastern airspace are currently fully or partially closed due to the late‑February 2026 strikes and ensuing security situation.
Quick Scoop: Which airspace is closed right now?
As of the morning of 1 March 2026, NOTAMs and operator bulletins indicate the following status (exact reopening times can change if authorities extend the notices).
Totally closed or effectively unavailable
- Iran (OIIX FIR) – Total airspace closure published via NOTAM, initially until around 08:30 UTC on 1 March, with a high chance of extension.
- Iraq (ORBB FIR) – Total airspace closure, initially until about 09:00 UTC on 1 March.
- Qatar (Doha FIR, OTDF) – Airspace above Qatar closed; Qatar Airways operations temporarily halted.
- Bahrain (OBBB FIR) – Airspace closed via NOTAM, similar time window as Qatar.
- Kuwait (OKAC FIR) – Airspace closed, with Kuwait Airways suspending arrivals and departures.
- Israel (LLLL FIR) – Total airspace closure, with NOTAM validity running into early March (around 10:00 UTC on 3 March).
- Yemen – Commented as closed in aviation‑tracking community discussions associated with the same NOTAM snapshot, consistent with ongoing long‑term conflict‑zone restrictions.
Partially closed / heavily restricted
- Saudi Arabia (OEJD FIR) – Partial closure along the northern/eastern sectors bordering Iraq and the Persian Gulf; NOTAM shows expiry around 08:00 UTC on 1 March but extensions are described as “probable.”
- Syria (OSTT FIR) – Not a full shutdown, but several key ATS routes (for example DAM–BUSRA, DAM–ZELAF, DAM–MODIK, DAM–SOKAN) are closed, significantly limiting overflights.
- United Arab Emirates (OMAE FIR) – Operating under Emergency Security Control of Air Traffic (ESCAT) zones: parts of the airspace are effectively restricted, with measures initially valid until 12:00 UTC on 2 March; flights in and out of Dubai and Abu Dhabi have seen cancellations and rerouting.
- Oman (Muscat FIR, OOMS) – Muscat Airport temporarily closed at one point, but the Muscat FIR itself remains open, so some overflights continue while schedules adjust.
Where airspace remains open (but traffic is disrupted)
- Egypt – Egyptian airspace is described as fully operational and “secure” as of 1 March 2026, though many airlines are rerouting to avoid conflict areas.
- Jordan and parts of the wider region – Jordan’s authorities have kept national airspace open while warning of possible schedule changes on routes touching affected countries.
Mini table: snapshot of closures
| State / FIR | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Iran (OIIX) | Closed | Total airspace closure; NOTAM around 1 Mar morning, extension likely. | [1][3][7]
| Iraq (ORBB) | Closed | All airspace cleared of traffic, then shut; flights suspended or rerouted. | [5][9][1]
| Israel (LLLL) | Closed | Full closure; NOTAM to roughly 3 Mar 10:00 UTC. | [3][5][1]
| Qatar (Doha FIR) | Closed | Airspace above Qatar closed; Qatar Airways halted temporarily. | [5][7][1][3]
| Bahrain (OBBB) | Closed | FIR closed and Gulf holding patterns emptied. | [7][1][3][5]
| Kuwait (OKAC) | Closed | Airspace closed; Kuwait Intl operations suspended. | [1][5][7]
| Saudi Arabia (OEJD) | Partial | Sections along Iraqi border and Gulf restricted; NOTAM expiry 1 Mar morning but likely extended. | [9][7][1]
| UAE (OMAE) | Partial / ESCAT | Security‑control zones in force; cancellations and reroutes via Dubai/Abu Dhabi. | [8][5][1]
| Syria (OSTT) | Route closures | Key ATS routes shut, limiting overflights. | [3]
| Oman (OOMS FIR) | Mostly open | Muscat Airport briefly closed; FIR remains open. | [7][3]
| Egypt | Open | Airspace fully operational as of 1 Mar; airlines still reroute around conflict zones. | [5][1]
Forum‑style context and traveler angle
“Should I board from London to New Delhi or not?” – This kind of question is popping up because many Europe–India routes normally cross the Middle East, and airlines are now re‑planning tracks to avoid closed FIRs, which can mean longer flight times or short‑notice schedule changes.
From an airline perspective, many carriers (for example, Air India and Lufthansa Group) have temporarily suspended flights to several Middle Eastern destinations and are rerouting long‑haul flights to avoid the blocks over Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Israel. If you have an upcoming trip, the safest move is to:
- Check your booking directly on the airline’s website or app for live status.
- Monitor departure and arrival airports’ NOTAM or advisory pages, if available to the public.
- Allow extra buffer time and be ready for re‑routing or rebooking offers, especially on routes that usually transit the Gulf or Iran–Iraq corridors.
Bottom note: Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.