Timeline
March 1, 2026 — March 4, 2026
World
Timeline: How US-Israel Strikes on Iran Disrupted Global Aviation Over 4 Days
Following US and Israeli military strikes on Iran on February 28, 2026, widespread airspace closures across the Middle East triggered a massive disruption to global aviation. Hundreds of flights were cancelled daily, stranding thousands of passengers worldwide and forcing airlines to suspend operations to the region for weeks.
13 events · 4 days · 28 source articles
Sat, Feb 28, 2026
Major
US and Israel Launch Strikes on Iran, Triggering Airspace Closures
The United States and Israel conducted military strikes against Iran, leading to immediate closure of Iranian airspace and restrictions across multiple Middle Eastern countries. The strikes reportedly killed Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei, his daughter, and grandchild. Several countries in the region closed their airspace due to missile activity, making air travel and evacuations impossible.
Sat, Feb 28, 2026
Major
410 Indian Domestic Carrier Flights Cancelled on First Day
Indian airlines cancelled 410 flights on February 28 due to airspace restrictions over Iran and parts of the Middle East. The Ministry of Civil Aviation reported that domestic carriers were significantly affected by the regional restrictions. Gulf carriers Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad, which handle approximately 90,000 transit passengers daily, were among the hardest hit.
Sun, Mar 1, 2026
Major
444 More Indian Flights Expected to be Cancelled
The Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation announced that 444 flights were expected to be cancelled on March 1, continuing the disruption from the previous day. Air India specifically cancelled flights on key international routes to Europe and North America, including Delhi-London, Delhi-New York, and Delhi-Toronto services, citing safety concerns.
Sun, Mar 1, 2026
Moderate
Delhi Airport Cancels Over 100 International Flights
Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport cancelled at least 100 international flights, including 60 departures and 40 arrivals, as airlines struggled with operational challenges from the ongoing airspace restrictions. The airport issued advisories warning passengers of potential disruptions to westbound international flights and urging travelers to verify flight status before heading to the airport.
Sun, Mar 1, 2026
Moderate
India Establishes 24/7 Passenger Assistance Control Room
The Ministry of Civil Aviation set up a 24/7 Passenger Assistance Control Room to review preparedness and help stranded travelers. Amritsar Airport witnessed widespread disruptions with passengers reporting cancelled flights to destinations like Milan, expressing helplessness as airlines prioritized safety over scheduled travel.
Sun, Mar 1, 2026
Major
43% of Heathrow-Middle East Flights Cancelled
London Heathrow Airport cancelled 24 of 56 flights to Middle East destinations, representing 43% of departures to the region. All three flights to Israel and two to Bahrain were cancelled. Flights to Qatar (8 of 9) and UAE (9 of 17) were heavily affected, while flights to Egypt, Oman, and Turkey remained largely unaffected.
Sun, Mar 1, 2026
Moderate
Belgium and Switzerland Issue Travel Warnings
Belgium's Foreign Affairs Minister confirmed evacuations were not yet being organized but would be coordinated with European partners if necessary. Belgium advised against travel to Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Israel, with citizens in the region told to avoid non-essential movements. Switzerland reported over 4,000 Swiss tourists stranded in the Middle East.
Mon, Mar 2, 2026
Moderate
Aviation and Tourism Stocks Plummet on Monday
Shares of aviation and tourism companies experienced sharp sell-offs. IndiGo fell as much as 7.5%, SpiceJet declined over 7%, Ixigo plunged 13.5%, and Easy Trip Planners dropped up to 9% as the market reacted to the prolonged disruption and suspension of Middle East operations.
Mon, Mar 2, 2026
Major
All UK Flights to Middle East Grounded for Days
The United Kingdom grounded all flights to and from the Middle East for an extended period, creating travel chaos for British travelers. The situation continued to affect holiday plans and business travel across Europe.
Mon, Mar 2, 2026
Major
Air Canada Suspends Tel Aviv and Dubai Flights Until March 23
Air Canada announced the cancellation of all flights to and from Dubai and Tel Aviv, with operations suspended until March 23, 2026. The airline advised customers in these regions not to go to the airport and offered fee-free rebooking options, citing the military situation in the Middle East as the reason for the extended suspension.
Tue, Mar 3, 2026
Moderate
Limited Middle East Operations Resume with Relief Flights
Some airlines began limited Middle East operations with relief flights for stranded passengers. First flights carrying stranded Indian passengers from Abu Dhabi and Dubai landed in India on Monday night. However, Delhi airport still saw 80 international flight cancellations on Tuesday as operations slowly resumed on select routes.
Tue, Mar 3, 2026
Minor
Swiss Airlines Cancels Dubai Flights
Swiss International Air Lines announced cancellation of its flights to Dubai, joining the growing list of European carriers suspending Middle East operations. The airline followed similar decisions by other European carriers in response to the ongoing regional instability.
Wed, Mar 4, 2026
Moderate
At Least 5,200 Swiss Citizens Stranded in Middle East
Switzerland reported that at least 5,200 Swiss citizens were stranded in the Middle East, up from the initial estimate of 4,000. Canadian flights also continued to experience disruptions as the aviation crisis extended into its sixth day with no clear resolution in sight.
Share this story