British travellers and other international passengers affected by the tensions in the Middle East have been updated further as major airlines are extending their flight cancellations. Emirates and Qatar Airways have already decided to suspend their operations until at least March 10, 2026, because of the tensions in the region.
The scale of the disruption is significant. It is reported that on the first week in March alone more than 32,500 flights in and out of major hubs in the Middle East were cancelled. This has led to rampant travelling problems of the users of major transit zones such as Dubai and Doha.
Current Flight Status and Suspensions
Passengers scheduled to travel this week should note the following updates:
- Emirates: All flights to and from Dubai are cancelled until at least March 10. The airline is in the process of keeping a close eye on the situation and will provide further updates once it is safe to resume operations.
- Qatar Airways: Operations at Hamad International Airport in Doha are currently suspended, and the suspensions are also prolonged until March 10.
- Regional Impact: Other carriers are also adjusting their schedules, with Etihad and flydubai diverting or cancelling several flights to evade restricted airspace.
Assistance to Stranded Passengers
Though the situation is still challenging, there are airline companies that are stepping in with the aim of aiding passengers to reach their destinations:
- Air India Expansion: In order to support passengers affected by the cancellations, Air India has declared 78 new flights between March 10 and March 18. These flights will offer additional flights between the UK, Europe and major Asian hubs.
- Virgin Atlantic: Virgin Atlantic has started restoring its services to Riyadh and Dubai but passengers are expected to monitor their flights regularly.
Major Travellers Advice
Airlines are strongly advising passengers not to travel to the airport in case their flight has been cancelled. Alternatively, the steps that are suggested include:
- Check Online: The most current information about the flight is on the official site or in the mobile application of the airline.
- Contact Agents: Contact your travel agent, or the customer care department of the airline, regarding the rebooking or refund.
- Delays to Expect: Be patient. Long wait times are possible because of the number of enquiries made when calling helplines.
Why the Change?
The safety of passengers is also in the focus of airlines after the closure of a number of corridors in the airspace in the region. This has resulted in a high number of cancellations, carriers are trying to handle the backlog. Travellers planning trips later in 2026 will see the industry stabilise its schedules as soon as the regional conditions improve.
Regardless of whether you are in a foreign country or you are planning to go out this month, it is necessary to keep abreast since the events in the Middle East are on the move.
