Abu Dhabi: A wave of flight cancellations swept across key Middle Eastern airports on Friday, June 13, following Israeli airstrikes targeting military and nuclear facilities in Iran.
The strikes, reported to have resulted in the deaths of Iran’s top military leaders, including the armed forces' chief of staff and leading nuclear scientists, triggered immediate retaliation from Tehran in the form of over 100 drones launched toward Israel—most of which were intercepted. The military confrontation led to swift regional fallout, particularly affecting aviation and airspace safety.
Airspace over Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Jordan was either closed or restricted, causing Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Syrian Airlines to suspend numerous flights. Emirates, the Gulf's largest airline based in Dubai, halted services to Iraq, Iran, Jordan, and Lebanon and announced it would not allow passengers transiting through Dubai with final destinations in those countries.
Qatar Airways similarly suspended flights to Iran and Iraq, citing the volatile security situation. Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport and Dubai International Airport also warned travelers of ongoing disruptions and delays.
An aviation source at Beirut's Rafik Hariri International Airport confirmed that many incoming flights from the Gulf had been abruptly cancelled. Syrian Airlines temporarily suspended all flights to and from the UAE and Saudi Arabia due to the closure of Iraqi and Jordanian airspace. Officials from the affected airports and airlines emphasized passenger safety and announced they are actively monitoring developments, urging travelers to check with carriers before heading to airports.
The airstrikes mark a serious escalation in the Israel-Iran conflict, which has long simmered around Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Israel stated the attacks were pre-emptive and based on intelligence suggesting Iran was nearing nuclear weapons capability. The incident raises new fears about broader regional destabilization and highlights the vulnerability of Middle East aviation to geopolitical conflict.
