which airspaces are closed
Several regions currently have fully or partially closed airspace due to conflict and security concerns as of late February–early March 2026.
Key current closures
- Iraq – The Transport Ministry has announced that all Iraqi airspace is closed to air traffic, with flights cleared out before the closure.
- Iran and surrounding conflict zone – Multiple nearby states have imposed flight suspensions and restrictions following US–Israel strikes on Iran, and major overflight routes are disrupted.
- Gulf region (partial closures)
- United Arab Emirates (UAE) – The civil aviation authority has ordered a temporary, partial closure of UAE airspace as a precaution, affecting some routes and prompting airlines to suspend operations for a period.
* **Qatar** – Qatar Airways has suspended all flights to and from Doha from 28 February to 6 March 2026, pending confirmation of safe reopening of Qatari airspace.
* **Dubai (Emirates)** – Emirates has suspended all operations to and from Dubai until at least 1 March 2026, tied to the wider regional airspace restrictions.
How this shows up for travelers
- Many flights overflying Iraq, Iran, and parts of the Gulf are being rerouted or canceled.
- Airlines are issuing waivers, rebooking options, or refunds for affected routes, especially for connections via Doha and Dubai.
- Conflict-zone risk databases are flagging heightened risk or avoidance for airspace over parts of the Middle East due to military activity.
Important caveats
- Airspace status can change hour by hour in conflict zones as militaries act and regulators respond.
- For exact, real-time status, you should always check:
- Your airline’s flight status page.
- Official notices from national aviation authorities (NOTAMs).
- Specialized conflict-zone airspace resources used by operators.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.