Major Airlines Extend Flight Suspensions Across the Middle East and UAE

Update — September 25, 2026 10:12 PM CST: The US State Department has reaffirmed regional security alerts across the Middle East due to risks of conflict escalation. The UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia remain among several destinations under Level 3 advisories, while countries including Iran and Iraq remain at Level 4. Travelers connecting through hubs such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi were advised to prepare for flight cancellations and airspace closures.

Update — September 25, 2026 10:11 PM CST: The US State Department has reaffirmed regional security alerts and travel advisories across the Middle East amid conflict escalation risks. Several Gulf countries including the UAE remain under Level 3 advisories, while key airport hubs face potential schedule disruptions. Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen remain designated under Level 4 advisories.

Update — September 25, 2026 9:11 PM CST: Safe Airspace reported ongoing commercial flight diversions across the Middle East due to airspace risks over Iran, Iraq, and Tel Aviv FIR. Separately, Iranian news agency ISNA confirmed that all Iranian airline flights to the UAE, Baghdad, and Muscat have been canceled following newly enacted US sanctions targeting Iran's aviation sector.

Update — September 25, 2026 9:10 PM CST: Iranian carriers have canceled all flights to the United Arab Emirates following newly enacted US sanctions targeting Iran's aviation sector. The Civil Aviation Organization of Iran confirmed that airports in Baghdad and Muscat have also ceased receiving Iranian flights.

Update — September 25, 2026 9:10 PM CST: Regional aviation hubs including Baghdad, Muscat, and Doha suspended handling or receiving flights by Iranian carriers following the expiration of a US sanctions transition period on September 23, 2026. Iranian authorities issued warnings to neighboring states, while select flights continued operating to destinations in China, Russia, and Turkey. Ground service providers face secondary sanctions risks, creating widespread civilian flight disruptions across the Gulf.

Update — September 25, 2026 7:45 PM CST: Middle Eastern air passenger traffic dropped by 21% in the first half of 2026, according to an Airports Council International World report cited by GreekReporter.com. The organization attributed the regional downturn to conflict-related disruptions, airspace closures, and widespread flight cancellations. Globally, passenger traffic growth slowed to 0.6%, reaching approximately 4.7 billion travelers.

Update — September 25, 2026 7:44 PM CST: The U.S. State Department has advised citizens to reconsider travel to and through eight Middle Eastern countries due to escalating security risks. The alert warns of potential flight cancellations, abrupt airspace closures, and transit delays following strikes in Saudi Arabia. Five additional regional nations remain under Level 4 'Do Not Travel' advisories.