The flight update board at Dubai International Airport at 11:37pm on on June 23, 2025. CT/EXPAT MEDIA

Flights to and from Dubai and the wider Gulf region were cancelled or rerouted on Monday (June 23) after Iran launched missile attacks on a US military base in Qatar, triggering a cascade of airspace closures across the region. At least 12 flights for June 24 were cancelled at Dubai International Airport by 11:37 pm on Monday, including services from Air France, Serene Air, United Airlines, Turkish Airlines, MEA, AJet, IndiGo, Batik Air, Saudia, and Pegasus, as confirmed by flight update boards seen by Expat Media. he flight update board at Dubai International Airport at 11:37pm on on June 23, 2025. CT/EXPAT MEDIA Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain announced the temporary suspension of air traffic in their respective airspaces as a precautionary measure after Iran launched missiles targeting the US-run Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. Qatar’s air defence systems intercepted the missiles, but aviation authorities implemented immediate closures “to safeguard civilian lives and ensure the security of aviation operations,” according to regional officials. As of 11:45pm on Monday, Kuwait and Bahrain have reopened their airspace.

International flight suspensions

Numerous global airlines announced flight suspensions or rerouting due to the airspace restrictions: • Singapore Airlines halted its daily Dubai route until June 25. • Air Canada suspended its Toronto-Dubai route until July 3 “as a precautionary measure.” • United Airlines also paused its Newark-Dubai flights until July 3. • British Airways suspended flights to Dubai, Doha, and Bahrain, offering affected passengers the option to rebook by July 6 or claim full refunds. • KLM Royal Dutch Airlines offered refunds or rebooking for flights between Amsterdam and Dubai until June 29. • American Airlines, Finnair, and Air France-KLM paused select Dubai and Doha-bound routes. • Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) also suspended flights to Dubai and other Gulf destinations. A Dubai-based travel agent noted that a SpiceJet flight from Pune to Dubai was forced to turn back midair, while Indian low-cost carrier IndiGo confirmed widespread disruption to its flights serving Dubai, Doha, Bahrain, Dammam, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Ras Al Khaimah, and Tbilisi.

UAE airlines suspend flights

UAE airlines have also been significantly affected: • Etihad Airways rerouted several flights on June 23 and 24 and confirmed suspension of all Abu Dhabi–Tel Aviv flights until July 15. • Emirates suspended services to Tehran, Baghdad, and Basra until June 30. • flydubai halted flights to Iran, Iraq, Israel, Syria, and St. Petersburg until June 30, advising affected passengers to check flydubai.com for rebooking options. • Air Arabia suspended services to Iran, Iraq, Russia, Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan until June 30, and to Jordan until June 25. • Wizz Air suspended all flights to Tel Aviv and Amman until September 15, citing regional instability. Etihad and Emirates warned passengers to expect further delays as rerouted flights now take longer routes through the Caspian Sea and Egypt to avoid Iranian, Iraqi, Syrian, and Israeli airspace.

26 commercial flights diverted

At least 26 commercial flights bound for Dubai and Doha were diverted on Monday, including 22 Qatar Airways flights. Some planes were forced to return to their departure points mid-journey. Etihad Airways noted that airspace restrictions are “likely to cause some disruption and delay to a number of flights over the coming days,” urging passengers to check the status of their flight via the airline’s website. Aviation authorities in Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain are working with international agencies to continuously assess risks. Until then, airlines are bracing for continued disruptions to commercial routes connecting the Middle East with Asia, Europe, and North America. Passengers are advised to check with their airlines and ensure their contact information is up to date to receive real-time flight updates. ICA/CAM/Expat Media
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