Some Middle East-bound flights from Nigeria have been cancelled and others delayed following widespread airspace closures across parts of the region, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded and forcing airlines to suspend operations.
The disruption comes after Iran launched reprisal attacks on United States military bases in the Middle East early Saturday, triggering multiple explosions reported in Abu Dhabi, Manama, Doha, Kuwait and Riyadh. The strikes followed a joint missile attack by the US and Israel on Iran, further escalating tensions in the region.
In response to the hostilities, several Middle Eastern countries shut down their airspace as a safety precaution. The United Arab Emirates closed its skies, Qatar Airways suspended flights, and operations at Dubai’s major airports were halted indefinitely, leading to a ripple effect on international routes, including flights departing from Nigeria.
Passengers travelling from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, were among those affected. TheCable gathered that Nigerians scheduled to fly with Qatar Airways were unable to depart as planned and were provided hotel accommodation pending further updates.
One affected traveller said flight QR1432 from Abuja (ABV) to Doha (DOH), initially scheduled for Friday, February 27, was delayed and expected to arrive at 19:09hrs on February 28. He added that his connecting flight, QR976 from Doha to Hanoi (HAN), scheduled to depart at 01:50hrs on Sunday, March 1, had been cancelled.
Checks also revealed that flight QR1408 from Lagos (LOS) to Doha (DOH), scheduled to depart at 12:00hrs and arrive at 20:20hrs, was delayed as a result of the ongoing disruptions.
Confirming the situation, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) said airspace closures in parts of the Middle East were affecting flight operations to and from the region.
In a travel advisory, FAAN stated that flights to Middle Eastern destinations from Nigerian airports, including services operated by Emirates and Qatar Airways, had been cancelled or delayed.
“As a result of these developments, flights scheduled to Middle East destinations from Nigerian airports, including Emirates and Qatar Airways have been cancelled or delayed,” the authority said.
“Passengers affected by these disruptions are strongly advised to contact their respective airlines directly for up-to-date information on flight status, rebooking options, and further guidance.”
Data from flightaware.com showed the scale of the disruption. As of 8:59 pm local time on Saturday, about 515 flights originating from Dubai had been cancelled, while nearly 400 incoming flights to the city were also affected.
INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED
Several global airlines have announced temporary suspensions or cancellations of flights to and from the Middle East, citing safety concerns.
Ethiopian Airlines cancelled flights to Amman, Tel Aviv, Dammam and Beirut, saying the decision was taken in view of security concerns. The airline said it would continue to monitor developments to ensure the safety of passengers and crew.
Emirates temporarily suspended operations to and from Dubai due to multiple regional airspace closures, apologising to customers and offering rebooking, refunds or alternative travel arrangements.
Saudia announced that certain flights had been suspended or cancelled in line with aviation safety and security standards.
SriLankan Airlines cancelled all flights from Colombo to the Middle East until 12pm on March 1, 2026, affecting Dubai, Kuwait, Doha, Dammam and Riyadh.
RwandAir suspended flights WB300/WB303 and WB304/WB305 to and from Doha and Dubai, allowing passengers to reschedule for later dates.
Air Arabia also temporarily halted flights to and from the UAE, stating that services would resume once the airspace reopens.
Air India cancelled all flights to the Middle East until March 1, 2026, stressing that the safety and security of passengers, crew and aircraft remain its highest priority. The airline said affected passengers were being informed and provided assistance, including rebooking and refunds.
Etihad Airways suspended departures from Abu Dhabi until 2pm (UAE time) on March 1 and cancelled arrivals scheduled before that time. The airline noted that services after the deadline would operate subject to prevailing conditions.
Oman Air suspended flights to Dubai, Bahrain, Doha, Dammam and Kuwait, and cancelled flights to Moscow, Amman and Khasab until further notice, warning passengers to expect delays on other routes.
Kuwait Airways postponed all inbound and outbound flights, saying they would be rescheduled in the interest of passenger and aircraft safety.
Kenya Airways temporarily suspended flights to Dubai and Sharjah following the UAE airspace closure, cancelling KQ310, KQ311, KQ304, KQ305 and freighter services to the UAE.
Dubai Airports confirmed that operations at Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC) have been suspended until further notice. The airport operator advised passengers not to travel to the airport and to contact their airlines for updates.
Airlines across the globe said they are closely monitoring the situation and will resume full operations once safe flight corridors are reopened, while urging passengers to stay updated through official communication channels.
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