Airspace closed, flights canceled across Middle East after attacks on Iran

The joint U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran, launched Saturday, Feb. 28, has led to a stoppage of air travel throughout significant portions of the Middle East.

Dubai International, the world's largest airport for international travel, and and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International were shut down about 7 a.m. ET Saturday, according to a statement from Dubai Airports in the United Arab Emirates. All flight operations at the airports were suspended until further notice, the agency said.

"Passengers are advised not to travel to the airport at this time and to contact their respective airlines directly for the latest updates regarding their flights," the statement said.

Delta issued an alert advising travelers about cancelations of flights to Tel Aviv and Dubai. United Airlines, too, alerted travelers about possible flight cancelations to Tel Aviv. American Airlines alerted fliers that flights through Doha International Airport in Qatar would be affected.

Civilian travel cancellations were prompted after the U.S. and Israel launched military strikes about 2 a.m. ET. Iran retaliated with strikes targeting U.S. military bases in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Jordan.

US, Israel strikes: Joint strikes on Iran. What we know so far

Flights cancelled in Dubai, Abu Dhabi

As a result of the attacks, flight maps showed airspace over Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Israel and Bahrain virtually empty Saturday, Reuters reported. Israel, Iran, Iraq, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Jordan closed their airspace following the attacks and a map of the region on Flightradar24 showed planes avoiding these areas.

Etihad Airways, which serves 110 destinations from its hub at Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi, said "all our flights have been cancelled until 2pm on 01 March UAE local time," in a post on X.

"Due to multiple regional airspace closures, Emirates has temporarily suspended operations to and from Dubai," the Dubai Airports said. Dubai International handled nearly 100 million passengers last year.

Travel advisories issued across Middle East

U.S. citizens across the Middle East are being advised to shelter in place until further notice and U.S. embassies and consulates have issued alerts for countries in the region including Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem stopped short of a general shelter-in-place recommendation, but urged embassy personnel and their families to do so, while advising U.S. citizens to exercise increased caution in Israel, West Bank, Gaza. The U.S. State Department has set up a task force to assist U.S. citizens and support diplomatic efforts, Reuters reported.

The Israeli National Security Council was "calling on Israeli citizens abroad to take increased precaution at all destinations around the world."