Middle East Airfreight Update

Update: 3 March 2026

Further to the ongoing developments across the Middle East, widespread airspace closures and flight suspensions are now impacting regional and international operations.

Aviation authorities have introduced precautionary restrictions in response to escalating security concerns, resulting in significant disruption to both passenger and cargo movements.

Countries with Full Airspace Closures

1. Israel – Closed until further notice
2. Qatar – Closed until further notice
3. Bahrain – Temporary closure in effect
4. Kuwait – Temporary closure in effect
5. Syria – Closed until further notice

Countries with Partial / Regional Closures

• United Arab Emirates (UAE) – Temporary / partial restrictions
• Oman – Partial closures; flight suspensions to Baghdad
• Saudi Arabia – Regional restrictions near the Iraq–Gulf border
• Jordan – Daily closure 18:00-09:00 until further notice
• Pakistan – Partial FIR restrictions affecting certain routes

Regional reporting indicates that large portions of the affected airspace have been vacated, with operators rerouting aircraft to avoid high-risk corridors.

Airport Status – Key Regional Hubs

• Dubai (DXB) – Commercial operations largely suspended
• Abu Dhabi (AUH) – Significant operational disruption
• Doha (DOH) – Commercial traffic halted
• Tel Aviv (TLV) – Effectively closed to most international carriers due to strikes
• Baghdad (BGW) / Erbil (EBL) – Airspace closed; civilian ops suspended

Operational Impact

Customers shipping to, from, or through the Middle East may experience:

• Many flights cancelled across the region
• Knock-on delays expected across connecting global trade lanes
• Aircraft rerouting via alternative corridors
• Extended transit times on Europe-Asia trade lanes
• Reduced air cargo capacity
• Possible changes in freight rates

Air Freight Considerations

Customers shipping to, from, or through the Middle East may experience the following:

• Schedule changes and delays
• Rerouting via different airports
• Limited space on certain routes

Safety remains the primary priority, and operations are expected to resume progressively once airspace restrictions are eased.

We recommend maintaining close contact with your local representative for shipment-specific guidance. Further updates will follow as the situation evolves.

Stay informed with the latest industry updates by exploring the full range of articles here.