THE ongoing crisis in the Middle East has left hundreds of thousands of passengers stranded abroad – with the situation not looking likely to improve.
The conflict between the US and Iran has had a knock-on affect across other destinations in the region, including the UAE.
This has led to all airspace in the region being closed, with both Dubai Airport and a luxury hotel hit over the weekend.
And yesterday the UK Foreign Office advised against all non-essential travel across the UAE.
With Dubai Airport being one of the busiest in the world – as many as 2,500 flights a day – this means thousands of people are being affected.
As many as 94,000 Brits are thought to be still stranded abroad, with the Foreign Office working a rescue mission.
According to Cirium, around 5,340 flights across the Middle East have been cancelled this week.
There are 539 flights scheduled from the UK to the Middle East this week which works out to 180,000 seats.
UK-based aviation consultant John Strickland called the disruption “unprecedented” – with it being a similar chaos level of the Covid pandemic.
He told the Press Association: “We’ve had other conflicts in the region, but not, I think, really in the scale of military conflict or scale of activity that we have now with the Gulf carriers.”
So here is everything you need to know about the airlines and tour operators cancelling flights to and from the UK, as well as until when.
British Airways
British Airways has cancelled a number of flights to the Middle East, which includes from London Heathrow to Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi and Amman.
They aid in a statement: “We have cancelled flights to Amman, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Dubai, Doha and Tel Aviv up to and including the 03 March and today’s Larnaca service.
We are closely monitoring the situation and have cancelled a number of our flights to the Middle East.
“Safety is always our top priority and we would never operate a flight unless it was safe to do so.”
They added: “If you are due to fly between London Heathrow and Abu Dhabi, Amman, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai or Tel Aviv up to and including 15 March you can change your flight date free of charge to travel on or before 29 March.
“Customers travelling up to and including 8 March may also request a full refund.”
Virgin Atlantic
A number of Virgin Atlantic flights have been cancelled, with others rerouted.
The airline states: “Due to the escalation of conflict in the Middle East, we have rerouted some of our flights and taken the decision to cancel some of our upcoming services between London Heathrow and Dubai, as well as services between London Heathrow and Riyadh.”
Four have already been cancelled, with one to Dubai and one to Riyadh today also cancelled from London Heathrow.
They also said: “We are actively reviewing our flying programme each day and doing everything we reasonably can to minimise disruption.
“Our teams are identifying alternative solutions, securing available capacity and rebooking customers wherever possible, while ensuring safety remains our absolute priority.”
Emirates
Emirates has cancelled all flights to and from Dubai until at least tomorrow, although this is likely to be extended.
In a statement, they said: “Due to multiple regional airspace closures, Emirates has temporarily suspended all operations to and from Dubai, up until 1500hrs UAE time on Tuesday, 3 March.
“We urge all customers to check flight status before proceeding to the airport.”
Passengers affected are being given two options – one being to rebook on another flight to the intended destination by March 20.
Or, passengers can get a full refund – although if you are already on holiday, this means they no longer have a duty of care for you when it comes to booking your flight home.
Qatar Airways
The airline, based out of Qatar, has cancelled all flights to and from Doha.
The airline said: “Qatar Airways flights to, and from, Doha have been temporarily suspended due to the closure of Qatari airspace.”
This is likely to affect passengers using Doha as a base for connections, with it operating flights across Asia.
Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways flights are affected to and from Abu Dhabi.
The airline said: “Regional airspace closures continue to impact Etihad Airways’ operations, and all flights to and from Abu Dhabi are suspended until 14:00 UAE time on Monday 2 March.”
Passengers can either rebook for free up until March 18, if travelling up until March 7.
Anyone travelling up until tomorrow can request a refund.
TUI
Brits with TUI holidays booked will also be affected, especially if flying to or via the UAE.
This is likely to affect holidays to Dubai, as well as to Thailand, Vietnam and Jordan.
The TUI website currently states: “Due to Airspace restrictions in parts of the region, some flights to and from the UK have been impacted and may experience delays and cancellations.”
The Sun has contacted TUI for additional comment.
The Sun’s Head of Travel explains your rights
Lisa Minot, Head of Travel, said:
For passengers meant to be flying in or out of the region, your rights depend on whether you were flying directly in or out of the UK or EU or if you are flying with an UK or EU airline.
Those who are will not get compensation as it is not the fault of the airline but they do have a duty of care to look after impacted passengers – depending on the length of the delay that could include food and drink, a means of communicating and if necessary, overnight accommodation.
Those flying on non-UK or EU carriers may find their rights are slightly different if they are not on a direct flight to the UK as different rules apply and you may not be provided with the same assistance.
They are, however, expected to offer you the right to a refund or another flight in the case of cancellations.
As well as those directly impacted by cancelled flights, the closure of so much of the Middle Eastern airspace will mean even more congestion on alternative routes that could impact flights across the globe.
For those due to travel in the coming days, staying in contact with your airline and checking before travelling to the airport is essential as schedules may change at short notice.
Loveholidays
Loveholidays is also cancelling holidays to any of the affected areas, which includes the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait.
They said in a statement: “We’re aware of the developing situation in parts of the Middle East and understand that you may be concerned about how this could affect your holiday.
“The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has updated its advice and is now advising against all but essential travel to United Arab Emirates (UAE) – including Dubai and Abu Dhabi – Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar.
“As a result, holidays and connecting flights due to travel to these destinations will be impacted while this advice remains in place.
“We have made the difficult decision to cancel all holidays to or via impacted areas of the Middle East departing up to and including 7 March 2026.
“Our team is starting to process full refunds for these holidays and will contact you directly.”
Anyone already in these destinations is advised to contact their airline.