US , Israel attacks Iran : Travel chaos continues as flights from Australia to Middle East scrapped

9news.com.au · Mar 1, 2026 · Collected from GDELT

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A ustralians are among thousands of travellers left stranded at airports in the Middle East amid the continued fighting.Closed airspace across the Middle East has plunged travel plans into chaos around Australia and the world.Early today, at least 1200 flights have been cancelled out of Dubai International Airport - a major travel hub for Australians flying to Europe.A plume of smoke caused by an Iranian strike is seen at Dubai International Airport in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri) (AP)Australian traveller Penny Milton has been left stuck in Qatar. (Weekend Today)The hardest-hit carriers are Emirates followed by Etihad Qatar.There are five cancellations in and out of Sydney which were bound for Dubai or Qatar, and seven from Melbourne.There are also three inbound and outbound flights at Adelaide, and one in and out of Perth.Airlines stress those numbers will change through today as some flights are cancelled or pushed back to another day.The federal government today warned Australians overseas to expect travel disruptions over the coming days.Stranded travellers wait at Ngurah Rai International Airport in Kuta, Bali, Indonesia, on Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Firdia Lisnawati) (AP)The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade says its priority is the safety and security of citizens."Many Australians in the Middle East are unable to leave due to airspace closures, including around major transit hubs. Road and land border closures may also restrict movement."Even if you are not travelling in or through the Middle East, your plans may still be affected."Smartraveller now advises Australians do not travel to most destinations in the Middle East. This includes Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Kuwait, Lebanon, Palestine, Qatar, Syria, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen.Australians should reconsider the need to travel to Jordan, Oman and Saudi Arabia. Iran, Iraq, Israel, Syria, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates closed their skies hours after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran which resulted in numerous flight cancellations.Australian travellers across the nation and abroad have been left stranded as a result.The United Arab Emirates (UAE), home to both the long-haul carriers Emirates and Etihad, closed their airspace on Saturday.Dubai airport was targeted by Iranian retaliatory air strikes yesterday as Tehran targeted travel hubs in pro-western Gulf countries. - With CNN NEVER MISS A STORY: Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.Download the 9NEWS App here via Apple and Google PlayMake 9News your preferred source on Google by ticking this box hereSign up to our breaking newsletter here