Middle East Airfreight Update – 6 March 2026

Update: 6 March 2026

Further to the ongoing situation across the Middle East, airfreight operations continue to be affected by airspace restrictions, security-related precautions, reduced flight activity, and disruption across key Gulf hubs.

Current conditions are impacting both regional and international cargo planning, with restrictions across parts of the Gulf continuing to affect established air corridors, freighter scheduling, and onward connections.

For earlier background, please refer to our previous Middle East Airfreight Update. Customers moving cargo by sea may also wish to review our Middle East Shipping Update for the latest ocean freight position.

Airspace and Restrictions Affecting Freight Operations

• United Arab Emirates (Dubai / Abu Dhabi) – Airspace restrictions remain in place, with disruption continuing to affect cargo and commercial operations. Dubai capacity remains heavily constrained, while Abu Dhabi is operating on a limited basis.
• Qatar – Heightened security conditions remain in place. While full closure is not being reported across all areas, the operating environment remains elevated risk and continues to affect overflight planning and cargo movements.
• Regional Gulf Airspace – Restrictions across parts of the Gulf, including the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain, continue to affect established air corridors and freight routing.

Current Flight Disruption from the UK

A number of UK-origin services to key Middle East destinations remain cancelled, reduced or subject to special operational approvals.

UK → Dubai – Limited schedule only. Full restoration is not yet in place.

UK → Abu Dhabi – Most flights remain cancelled, with only limited selected services operating.

UK → Doha – Flights remain temporarily suspended under current airspace restrictions.

UK → Tel Aviv / Bahrain – Services remain suspended.

UK → Dubai / Riyadh – Some flights remain cancelled, with long-haul routings also being adjusted to avoid Iraqi and Gulf airspace.

UK → Middle East via major European hubs – Connections to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv remain affected.

UK → Iran / Iraq / Lebanon – Regional suspensions continue to impact wider UK connections.

Across the market, reduced schedules, suspended routes, and rerouting measures continue to affect connections into Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Bahrain, Tel Aviv and other regional gateways. This is also impacting cargo capacity linked to passenger services and connecting long-haul routings.

Cargo Impact

Dubai – Cargo uplift remains severely constrained and reliable freighter movement is still limited.

Abu Dhabi – Limited activity continues, with cargo and special operations on case‑by‑case approval.

Doha – Cargo operations remain significantly disrupted due to ongoing airspace closure.

Special Freight Impact

Reduced Access to Dubai Hub
Dubai remains one of the region’s most important cargo gateways, and current disruption is limiting normal freighter operations. This is resulting in diversions through alternative hubs, AUH, DOH, MCT, BAH; greater reliance on surface trucking services between UAE Emirates, where possible, and delays to perishable, high-value and temperature-sensitive cargo.

Regional Ripple Effects
Airspace instability across the Gulf is also affecting wider long-haul cargo routings between Asia, Europe and the US. longer flight paths, increased block times, fuel-related payload limitations and changing safety conditions continue to reduce schedule reliability.

Summary for Cargo Planning

DXB – Closed / severely constrained, with no reliable normal freighter movement currently in place.
AUH – Limited, with constrained capacity.
DOH – Restricted, with ongoing disruption to cargo activity.
JED / MCT – Remain open and available for selected regional routings.
Gulf Region overall – Continued cancellations, diversions and uplift reductions should be expected in the short term.

We understand that ongoing disruption can create uncertainty across supply chains and planning. Our teams are continuing to monitor developments closely and work with customers to identify the most suitable routing options wherever possible.

If you have shipments affected by this situation, please contact your local NNR representative, who will be available to provide shipment-specific guidance and support. We remain committed to supporting our customers with timely updates and practical advice as the situation evolves.

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