Qatar & Gulf Countries Close Airspace Amid Regional Strikes

Qatar, UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq, and Iran have all suspended or restricted airspace on February 28, 2026, following US and Israeli military strikes on Iran. The closures have grounded hundreds of flights and disrupted passengers across the globe.

Updated on March 15, 2026: Qatar Airways has released its flight schedule for March 15–18. Limited corridors are operating. Full commercial operations remain suspended. See the full schedule below.

Qatar Updates: Remote Work, Learning, 24-Hour Supplies – Amid Strikes

Qatar Airways Flight Schedule — March 15 to 18, 2026 (Latest Update)

Qatar Airways is operating limited flights via temporary corridors authorised by the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA). This is not a resumption of full scheduled commercial operations. The airline will return to normal operations only when QCAA announces the safe full reopening of Qatari airspace.

Do not go to Hamad International Airport unless you hold a confirmed ticket. Qatar Airways contacts eligible passengers directly for point-to-point relief flights.

Confirmed destinations by date:

Date	Destinations Operating
March 15	Riyadh, Muscat, Shanghai, Manila, Dallas, Toronto, Colombo, Cairo, Islamabad, Mumbai, Rome, Madrid, London, Casablanca, Paris
March 16	Istanbul, Dhaka, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Delhi, Algiers, New York, Jeddah, Sao Paulo, Hong Kong, Amsterdam, London, Frankfurt
March 17	Perth, Muscat, Seoul, Bangkok, Beijing, Dhaka, Kochi, Jakarta, Mumbai, Cairo, Miami, Colombo
March 18	Check qatarairways.com — schedule updated daily

The schedule updates every 24 hours. Always check qatarairways.com or the Qatar Airways app for the latest confirmed flights before travelling to the airport.

Qatar Airways Rebooking and Refund Policy

If your original travel date falls between February 28 and March 28, 2026, you are eligible for either a complimentary date change or a full refund of your unused ticket value.

Option	Details
Date change	Complimentary change to any new date up to April 30, 2026
Refund	Full refund of unused ticket value
How to request	qatarairways.com, Qatar Airways app, or your travel agent
Point-to-point flights	Qatar Airways contacts you directly — do not go to the airport without confirmation

Keep your contact details updated on the Qatar Airways website so the airline can reach you about relief flight arrangements.

Hamad International Airport | Current Status

Hamad International Airport (DOH) is open but operating at significantly reduced capacity. Only passengers with confirmed tickets on operating flights should proceed to the airport.

The airport has urged passengers without confirmed bookings not to travel to the terminal. Airport hotels and facilities remain open for stranded passengers.

For the latest airport status see the official site.

Qatar: Air Traffic Suspended

Temporary Suspension of Qatar Airways Flights Due to Qatar Airspace Closure

Qatar Airways Group has confirmed the temporary suspension of all its flights to and from Doha due to the Qatar airspace closure. The Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) announced the suspension as part of precautionary measures taken by the State of Qatar. The QCAA confirmed it is monitoring and coordinating with relevant authorities regarding the latest developments.

Qatar Airways is working closely with government stakeholders to support impacted passengers and will resume operations when the airspace reopens. Once operations resume, the airline anticipates delays to its flight schedule. Additional ground staff have been deployed at Hamad International Airport (DOH) and other key airports to assist affected passengers.

What this means for passengers:

Action	Details
Flights to Doha	Suspended until further notice
Flights from Doha	Suspended until further notice
Rebooking	Contact Qatar Airways directly
Refunds	Available for cancelled flights
Resume timeline	When airspace reopens

Hamad International Airport Confirms Temporary Suspension of Air Traffic

Hamad International Airport (DOH) in Doha has halted all inbound and outbound flight operations. The suspension covers all commercial and civilian flights until Qatari authorities lift the closure. Japan Airlines cancelled its Tokyo Haneda to Doha service and the return flight on March 1, 2026.

Turkish Airlines cancelled all flights to Qatar on February 28, 2026. Thousands of passengers are currently stranded at Doha, with Qatar Airways coordinating accommodation and rebooking support.

Ministry of Interior Announces No Damage from Iran Attack

Qatar’s Ministry of Defence confirmed it successfully intercepted attacks targeting the country. Missiles were intercepted before reaching Qatari territory. Authorities described the security situation as stable and under control.

Emergency response plans were activated as a precautionary measure. See the complete list of Qatar Helpline Numbers for Emergency.

Ministry of Interior Confirms No Security Concerns in Qatar, Calls on Public to Avoid Rumours

Qatar’s Ministry of Interior confirmed there are no active security concerns on the ground as of February 28, 2026. The ministry urged residents and citizens to rely only on official sources and avoid spreading unverified information. A national emergency alert asked the public to stay indoors unless necessary.

UAE: Partial Airspace Closure

The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) of the UAE announced the temporary and partial closure of UAE airspace as a precautionary measure on February 28, 2026. The GCAA confirmed the decision followed a full security and operational risk assessment, made in coordination with national and international authorities. Alarms were reported in Abu Dhabi and flights are circling over UAE airspace at the time of publication.

Airlines affected in the UAE:

Emirates is closely monitoring the situation and adjusting operations as needed
Etihad Airways is reviewing its schedule in coordination with authorities
flydubai confirmed flights were impacted, with services rerouted, returned to stand, or cancelled
Air Arabia cancelled or rerouted services on February 28, 2026

Passengers must contact their airline directly for the latest flight schedule updates. Airlines are working with local authorities to provide accommodation and assistance to stranded travelers.

Kuwait: Airspace Closed

Kuwait’s civil aviation authority announced the full closure of its national airspace due to regional security conditions on February 28, 2026. No timeframe for reopening was immediately provided. Explosions were reported in Kuwait City, where Al Salem Air Base, a US military facility, is located.

Kuwait’s aviation authority also separately halted all flights to Iran until further notice.

Iran: Full Closure After Explosions

Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization announced a full closure of Iranian airspace to civilian traffic for at least 6 hours following explosions in Tehran. US and Israeli forces launched coordinated strikes on multiple strategic and military sites across Iran. Confirmed targets included the Iranian Ministry of Defence, the Office of the Supreme Leader, the Iranian Atomic Energy Agency, and the Parchin military base.

The closure of Iranian airspace compounds wider disruption across the region. Iran’s airspace is a key corridor for Europe-to-Asia long-haul routes. Airlines already rerouting around Russia and Ukraine now face a second major corridor closure.

Iraq: Airspace Shut

The Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority officially suspended all air traffic across Iraqi airspace on February 28, 2026. Erbil International Airport announced a total halt to flight operations. Authorities confirmed Iraqi skies were cleared of all air traffic before the formal shutdown.

Oman Air suspended all flights to Baghdad in response. Virgin Atlantic temporarily halted use of Iraqi airspace and rerouted select services.

Bahrain: Missile Attack Reported

Bahrain’s National Communication Centre confirmed that sites within the kingdom were targeted in attacks launched from outside its territory on February 28, 2026. The service centre of the US Navy’s 5th Fleet in Bahrain was struck by missile fire, according to Bahrain’s national news agency (BNA). The centre described the incidents as a violation of Bahrain’s sovereignty.

Emergency response plans were activated and the public was urged to follow official instructions only. British Airways cancelled services to Bahrain until March 3, 2026.

Last updated: February 28, 2026. The situation is rapidly evolving. Follow official announcements from the QCAA, GCAA, and your airline for the latest updates.

FAQs

Qatar Airways flights are suspended because the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) closed Qatari airspace on February 28, 2026, as a precautionary measure following US and Israeli military strikes on Iran. Qatar Airways confirmed the temporary suspension of all flights to and from Doha and will resume operations once the airspace reopens.

Contact Qatar Airways directly if your Qatar Airways flight is cancelled. The airline is offering rebooking and refund options for all affected passengers. Check your flight status through Qatar Airways’ official website or app before traveling to the airport.

No, Hamad International Airport (DOH) in Doha is not currently accepting flights. The airport suspended all inbound and outbound operations following the QCAA’s closure of Qatari airspace on February 28, 2026.

6 countries have closed or restricted their airspace as of February 28, 2026. These are Qatar (full closure), UAE (partial closure), Kuwait (full closure), Bahrain (restricted), Iraq (full closure), and Iran (full closure).

Yes, UAE flights are affected by the regional airspace closures. The GCAA announced a partial closure of UAE airspace on February 28, 2026, and flydubai, Emirates, Etihad, and Air Arabia have all reported cancellations or rerouting of services as a result.

Yes, passengers can get refunds for flights cancelled due to the Qatar airspace closure. Contact your airline directly for refund or rebooking options. Check your travel insurance policy for coverage under force majeure or airspace closure events.

Qatar’s Ministry of Interior confirmed no active security concerns on the ground as of February 28, 2026. Qatar’s Ministry of Defence also confirmed that incoming missiles were intercepted before reaching civilian areas. Flights remain suspended and the public has been asked to stay indoors until official updates are issued.

Airlines are rerouting rather than abandoning the region entirely, with Oman remaining partially operational and Saudi Arabia yet to confirm a full closure. Most carriers are avoiding the directly affected airspaces and rerouting through alternative corridors. Check with your specific airline for the latest schedule before traveling.