Timeline
February 28, 2026 — March 3, 2026
World
Timeline: How US-Israeli Strikes on Iran Disrupted Global Air Travel Over 4 Days
On February 28, 2026, the United States and Israel launched a massive joint military attack on Iran, triggering immediate retaliation and plunging the Middle East into conflict. The resulting airspace closures across at least eight countries created one of the worst disruptions to global air travel since the COVID-19 pandemic, stranding hundreds of thousands of travelers worldwide and forcing the cancellation of tens of thousands of flights.
13 events · 3 days · 30 source articles
Sat, Feb 28, 2026
Major
US and Israel Launch Major Strikes on Iran; Regional Airspace Shuts Down
The United States and Israel launched extensive air strikes on targets across Iran in one of the most direct and expansive attacks on the country in years. At least eight countries immediately closed their airspace, including Iran, Israel, Iraq, Jordan, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and the UAE. Syria also closed part of its southern airspace along the Israeli border. Airlines including Air France, Turkish Airlines, Lufthansa, and Air India began announcing widespread flight cancellations.
Sat, Feb 28, 2026
Major
Iran Launches Retaliatory Strikes Across Gulf Region
Iran began retaliatory attacks targeting capital cities around the wealthy Gulf region. Dubai's defense systems repelled Iranian drones and missiles, with random explosions and plumes of black smoke visible in the city's most celebrated neighborhoods. Iranian missiles hit multiple locations across the Gulf, killing at least one person. The conflict escalated rapidly as witnesses reported seeing warplanes and projectiles streaking through the skies.
Sun, Mar 1, 2026
Major
Dubai International Airport Hit; Thousands of Flights Disrupted
Dubai International Airport, the world's busiest aviation hub, was effectively shut down after being hit by a suspected aerial strike. The extent of the damage forced one of the most serious disruptions to global travel since the COVID-19 pandemic. Thousands of flights were grounded across the Middle East, with major transit hubs including Dubai and Doha completely closed or operating at severely reduced capacity.
Sun, Mar 1, 2026
Major
Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei Confirmed Killed in Attacks
Iranian state media confirmed that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the US-Israeli attacks. Hong Kong's Financial Secretary Paul Chan warned of significant global uncertainty in the world economy, expecting increased volatility in financial markets and faster capital flows. The death of Iran's supreme leader marked a dramatic escalation with far-reaching geopolitical implications.
Sun, Mar 1, 2026
Major
Dubai and Abu Dhabi Airports Report Casualties from Falling Debris
One person was killed and 11 injured at airports in Dubai and Abu Dhabi as falling debris from intercepted Iranian drones and missiles caused widespread damage. In Abu Dhabi, a drone targeting Zayed International Airport was intercepted, with debris killing one and injuring seven. Dubai International Airport reported four staff injured in an incident. Smoke was also seen rising from Dubai's Jebel Ali Port, the region's main shipping hub.
Sun, Mar 1, 2026
Moderate
Hong Kong Reports 131 Residents Stranded; Airmail Services Suspended
Hong Kong authorities received 131 inquiries from residents stranded in the Middle East, all confirmed to be in safe locations. Hongkong Post suspended airmail services to 24 countries, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, as well as transit services affecting 11 African nations and several Central Asian countries. Flag carrier Cathay Pacific suspended all passenger and cargo flights to the Middle East.
Sun, Mar 1, 2026
Moderate
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. The decision came after the Gulf country was repeatedly hit by Iranian retaliatory strikes, reflecting the severity of the economic impact and uncertainty caused by the escalating conflict.
Mon, Mar 2, 2026
Moderate
Travel Chaos Extends Into Third Day; Major Hubs Remain Closed
Travel disruptions continued through the Middle East and beyond as carriers across the Persian Gulf extended blanket flight suspensions into a third day. Major transit hubs including Dubai and Doha remained shut or operating at reduced capacity, upending Europe-Asia connections that depend heavily on Gulf airspace. Cathay Pacific extended its Dubai suspension until Thursday and Riyadh suspension until Tuesday.
Mon, Mar 2, 2026
Moderate
Indian Carriers Emerge as Hardest Hit Outside Middle East
Indian carriers emerged as the hardest hit outside the Middle East as airspace closures across the region forced widespread cancellations and diversions. Airlines globally began bracing for higher operating costs as oil prices surged to their highest levels in months with shipments from the Middle East disrupted. The conflict threatened to derail the fragile recovery in Asia's tourism and aviation sectors.
Mon, Mar 2, 2026
Moderate
Airfares Surge as Travelers Scramble for Alternative Routes
Analysts warned that Hong Kong travelers would face significantly higher airfares as the suspension of major transit hubs in Dubai and Doha forced passengers to scramble for seats on direct flights or conflict-free paths to Europe. Surging demand for alternative routes triggered spikes in ticket prices. German tour operators reported at least 30,000 customers stranded, while Lufthansa announced it would avoid Middle Eastern airspace until at least March 8.
Mon, Mar 2, 2026
Major
Global Disruption Declared Worst Since COVID Pandemic
Aviation authorities and media outlets declared the crisis the worst disruption to global air travel since the COVID-19 pandemic. Airports in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha—critical hubs for travel between Europe, Africa, and Asia—remained closed after being directly hit by Iranian strikes. Travelers across Australia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and other Asian nations remained stranded, with cancellations spreading 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, but hundreds of thousands of travelers remained stranded at major aviation hubs across the region. Tourists and business travelers hunkered down in hotels and airports, awaiting word on when full operations would resume. About 13,000 of roughly 32,000 scheduled flights into and out of the Middle East had been cancelled since the conflict began.
Tue, Mar 3, 2026
Minor
Stranded Hong Kong Residents Call for Greater Government Assistance
At least 432 Hong Kong residents remained stranded in the Middle East as of Monday, with some calling for greater help from the Chinese embassy and Hong Kong government. Residents reported difficulty contacting the Chinese embassy in Dubai by phone and were considering driving to the embassy or traveling overland to other cities to find flights home. The total number of disrupted flights between Hong Kong and the Middle East reached 54.
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