Timeline
March 1, 2026 — March 4, 2026
World
Timeline: How the US-Israeli Attack on Iran Disrupted Global Aviation Over 4 Days
This timeline chronicles the escalating crisis from March 1-4, 2026, when a joint US-Israeli military attack on Iran—killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei—triggered massive airspace closures, flight cancellations, and Iranian retaliatory strikes. The conflict created one of the worst disruptions to global air travel since COVID-19, stranding hundreds of thousands of passengers worldwide and sending shockwaves through financial markets.
18 events · 3 days · 30 source articles
Sun, Mar 1, 2026
Major
US and Israel Launch Joint Attack on Iran
The United States and Israel initiated a major military operation against Iran, striking multiple targets across the country. The attack would soon be confirmed to have killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, marking a dramatic escalation in Middle Eastern tensions. Airlines immediately began suspending flights to the region as airspace closures were announced.
Sun, Mar 1, 2026
Major
At Least 27 Flights from Hong Kong Disrupted, Passengers Stranded
Hundreds of passengers packed Hong Kong International Airport as airlines cancelled or delayed at least 27 flights to Middle Eastern destinations including Riyadh, Doha, and Dubai. Cathay Pacific Airways suspended all passenger and cargo flights to and from the Middle East following airspace closures. Travellers like 45-year-old Shanghai software architect Luo Kui were stranded overnight after cancelled flights.
Sun, Mar 1, 2026
Major
Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei Confirmed Killed; Hong Kong Braces for Economic Impact
Iranian state media confirmed that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the attacks. Hong Kong Financial Secretary Paul Chan warned of 'significant global uncertainty' and expected increased volatility in financial markets, faster capital flows, and shifting commodity prices. The government prepared for greater market volatility and risks.
Sun, Mar 1, 2026
Major
Iran Launches Retaliatory Strikes Across Gulf States
Iran began retaliating with missile and drone attacks targeting multiple Gulf countries. Plumes of smoke were seen rising from Dubai's Jebel Ali Port after it was hit by debris from an intercepted missile. One person was killed and 11 injured at Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports as falling debris from intercepted Iranian drones and missiles caused widespread damage across the region.
Sun, Mar 1, 2026
Major
Dubai and Abu Dhabi Airports Hit; One Dead, 11 Injured
Dubai International Airport (DXB)—the world's busiest by passenger traffic—was damaged in an incident that injured four staff. At Abu Dhabi's Zayed International Airport, falling debris from an intercepted drone killed one person and injured seven. The attacks marked one of the most serious disruptions to global travel since COVID-19, with thousands of flights grounded.
Sun, Mar 1, 2026
Moderate
Hong Kong Airmail Services to 24 Countries Suspended
Hongkong Post suspended airmail services to Saudi Arabia and the UAE with immediate effect, also affecting transit services to 24 countries across the Middle East, Africa, and Central Asia. The affected countries included 11 African nations and six countries in Eurasia and Central Asia, illustrating the far-reaching impact of the airspace closures.
Sun, Mar 1, 2026
Major
UAE Closes Stock Markets to Prevent Financial Meltdown
The United Arab Emirates announced its two key stock exchanges in Abu Dhabi and Dubai would close for the first two days of the week to avoid a possible market meltdown after the country was repeatedly hit during Iran's retaliatory attacks. The closure reflected fears of severe economic fallout from the escalating conflict.
Mon, Mar 2, 2026
Moderate
Cathay Pacific Extends Suspensions; 37 Hong Kong Flights Disrupted
Cathay Pacific announced it would suspend Dubai flights until Thursday and Riyadh flights until Tuesday, bringing the total number of disrupted flights between Hong Kong and the Middle East to at least 37. The airline offered rebooking flexibility with waived fees, though passengers criticized compensation policies.
Mon, Mar 2, 2026
Moderate
Indian Carriers Emerge as Hardest Hit Outside Middle East
Indian carriers were identified as the hardest hit outside the Middle East as airspace closures across the region forced widespread cancellations and diversions. The disruption highlighted the global reach of the conflict's impact on aviation, with routes to and from South Asia severely affected.
Mon, Mar 2, 2026
Major
Travel Chaos Intensifies on Third Day; Major Hubs Remain Closed
Major transit hubs including Dubai and Doha remained shut or operating at reduced capacity for a third straight day, upending Europe-Asia connections that depend heavily on Gulf airspace. Airlines faced higher operating costs as oil prices surged to their highest levels in months. Analysts warned of a 'domino effect' threatening Asia's fragile tourism and aviation recovery.
Mon, Mar 2, 2026
Moderate
At Least 30,000 German Tourists Stranded
The German Travel Association reported that approximately 30,000 tourists on trips organized by German travel agencies were unable to fly home. German flagship carrier Lufthansa announced it would avoid airspace over multiple Middle Eastern countries until at least March 8. The crisis was affecting hundreds of thousands of travelers globally.
Mon, Mar 2, 2026
Moderate
Limited Flights Resume but Hundreds of Thousands Still Stranded
Limited flights out of the Middle East resumed on Monday evening, but hundreds of thousands of travelers remained stranded at major aviation hubs across the region. About 13,000 of roughly 32,000 scheduled flights had been cancelled since Saturday. Tourists and business travelers hunkered down in hotels and airports awaiting news of when full operations would resume.
Tue, Mar 3, 2026
Moderate
432 Hongkongers Stranded; Calls for More Government Help
At least 432 Hong Kong residents were stranded in the Middle East, with many calling for greater help from the Chinese embassy and Hong Kong government. Some reported being unable to contact the Chinese embassy in Dubai by phone and were considering driving to the embassy or traveling by road to another city to fly home.
Tue, Mar 3, 2026
Moderate
54 Hong Kong-Middle East Flights Disrupted; Airfares Surge
The number of disrupted flights between Hong Kong and the Middle East reached 54, with ongoing airspace closures forcing Gulf tour suspensions until at least the following week. Analysts warned that travellers faced sharply higher costs as many were forced to opt for more expensive direct routes to Europe, with surging demand triggering a spike in airfares.
Tue, Mar 3, 2026
Moderate
UAE Announces Stock Markets Will Reopen March 4
The United Arab Emirates announced that its two key stock markets would reopen for trading on March 4 after two days of closure due to the conflict. The announcement provided some hope for economic stability, though uncertainty remained high with US President Donald Trump stating military operations could last for weeks.
Tue, Mar 3, 2026
Major
Over 21,000 Flights Cancelled at Major Airports in Four Days
According to Flightradar24, approximately 21,300 flights had been cancelled at seven major airports including Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi since the strikes started. Major Gulf hubs remained closed or severely restricted for a fourth day, with governments rushing to bring stranded travellers home. The airline and tourism industries scrambled to deal with the escalating crisis.
Wed, Mar 4, 2026
Moderate
585 Hong Kong Residents Report Being Stranded; Frustration Mounts
At least 585 Hong Kong residents had filed inquiries with immigration authorities, though only four had managed to leave the region. Stranded residents voiced frustration over repeated flight cancellations, rising hotel costs, and dwindling phone data as they navigated rapidly changing emergency policies. Some questioned whether the government would wait 'until someone gets hurt' before providing more substantial assistance.
Wed, Mar 4, 2026
Moderate
UAE Stocks Tumble as Trading Resumes After Two-Day Closure
Equities in the United Arab Emirates tumbled as trading resumed on Wednesday following the two-day closure. The market slide reflected investor concerns about the ongoing conflict and its economic impact. Meanwhile, airfares on direct Asia-Europe routes surged dramatically, with some Beijing-Paris economy tickets costing triple the usual price as travelers sought to bypass the paralyzed Gulf hubs.
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