If your Middle East flight has been cancelled due to the Iran crisis, you are entitled to a full refund. Under EU Regulation 261/2004, US Department of Transportation rules, and most national aviation regulations, airlines must offer refunds for cancelled flights regardless of the cause. This applies to all airlines, not just Gulf carriers.
For direct bookings, contact your airline's refund portal: Emirates (emirates.com/refund), Etihad (etihad.com/manage), Qatar Airways (qatarairways.com/refund), British Airways (ba.com/refunds), Lufthansa (lufthansa.com/refund). For bookings through travel agents or OTAs like Expedia, Booking.com, or Skyscanner, contact the platform where you booked.
Important: Airlines are offering both refunds AND free rebooking. If you plan to travel later, rebooking may be preferable as prices could increase. Keep all booking confirmations and communication. If your airline denies a refund, file a complaint with your national aviation authority or use your credit card's chargeback protection.
Etihad Airways announced suspension of all departures and arrivals until 14:00 UAE time on March 1, joining Emirates and other carriers in grounding operations.
An Iranian drone struck Kuwait International Airport, damaging the terminal building and injuring several workers. Kuwait closed its airspace and activated all defense systems.
Dubai International Airport and Dubai World Central have suspended all flight operations following multiple waves of Iranian ballistic missiles targeting UAE territory. Thousands of passengers stranded across terminals.
Airports across the region have halted operations including Dubai DXB, Dubai DWC, Doha DOH, Bahrain BAH, Kuwait KWI, Tel Aviv TLV, Tehran IKA, and Isfahan IFN. Airlines rerouting hundreds of flights.
Kuwait shut down all civilian aviation and activated its Patriot missile defense systems after Iran's IRGC issued threats against nations hosting US military forces. Kuwait International Airport operations suspended.
The three major Gulf carriers announced indefinite suspension of all operations. Emirates diverted 47 aircraft currently en route. Tens of thousands of passengers stranded globally.
Qatar's Hamad International Airport suspended all operations as the Qatari Air Force scrambled F-15 fighters. Al Udeid Air Base reportedly on high alert following IRGC threats.
Airlines worldwide are scrambling to reroute flights as airspace closures now span from the eastern Mediterranean to the Persian Gulf. Eurocontrol issued warnings for all flights routing through the region.
EU leaders announced an emergency summit for Saturday as the bloc activated its Integrated Political Crisis Response mechanism. European airlines rerouting all Middle East-bound flights.
The State Department issued Level 4 Do Not Travel advisories for Iran, Iraq, and the entire Persian Gulf region. An estimated 50,000 American citizens are currently in the affected area.
European flag carriers including British Airways, Lufthansa, Air France, and KLM suspended all services to the Middle East through at least March 7. Passengers offered full refunds or rebooking.
Bahrain International Airport ceased all operations as the island nation braced for further Iranian attacks. The US Fifth Fleet headquarters activated all defensive systems and moved ships to sea.
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