Timeline
February 28, 2026 — March 3, 2026
World
Timeline: How US-Israeli Strikes on Iran Disrupted Global Air Travel Over Five Days
Between February 28 and March 3, 2026, joint US-Israeli military strikes on Iran triggered massive retaliatory attacks across the Middle East, forcing at least eight countries to close their airspace and causing one of the worst disruptions to global air travel since the COVID-19 pandemic. This timeline tracks how the conflict escalated from initial strikes to widespread travel chaos affecting hundreds of thousands of passengers worldwide.
13 events · 3 days · 30 source articles
Sat, Feb 28, 2026
Major
US and Israel Launch Major Strikes on Iran; Multiple Countries Close Airspace
The United States and Israel launched extensive air strikes on targets across Iran in what appeared to be one of the most direct and expansive attacks on the country in years. Within hours, at least eight countries including Iran, Israel, Iraq, Jordan, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and the UAE declared their airspace closed. Syria also closed part of its southern airspace along its border with Israel for 12 hours.
Sat, Feb 28, 2026
Major
Iran Launches Retaliatory Missile and Drone Strikes Across Gulf Region
Iran began launching retaliatory attacks across the Middle East in response to the US-Israeli strikes. Iranian missiles hit capital cities around the wealthy Gulf region, killing at least one person. Witnesses reported seeing warplanes and projectiles streaking through the skies. Dubai's defense systems repelled Iranian drones and missiles as explosions and plumes of black smoke rose from the city.
Sat, Feb 28, 2026
Major
Major Airlines Begin Widespread Flight Cancellations
Carriers including Air France, Air India, Turkish Airlines, Norwegian, Air Algérie, and Lufthansa announced widespread cancellations as airspace closures took effect. Qatar Airways temporarily canceled flights to and from Doha as Qatari airspace closed. Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific suspended all passenger and cargo flights to and from the Middle East, with at least nine flights from Hong Kong cancelled or delayed.
Sun, Mar 1, 2026
Major
Dubai International Airport Hit; World's Busiest Hub Effectively Shut Down
Dubai International Airport, the world's busiest aviation hub by passenger traffic, was effectively shut down after being hit by a suspected aerial strike. One person was killed and 11 injured at airports in Dubai and Abu Dhabi due to falling debris from intercepted Iranian drones and missiles. Authorities confirmed a drone targeting Abu Dhabi's Zayed International Airport was intercepted, with debris killing one and injuring seven.
Sun, Mar 1, 2026
Major
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Confirmed Dead in Strikes
Iranian state media confirmed that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the US-Israeli attacks. Hong Kong's Financial Secretary Paul Chan stated the conflict created 'significant global uncertainty' in the world economy and expected increased volatility in financial markets. Dubai's Jebel Ali Port was hit, with plumes of smoke rising from the main shipping facility.
Sun, Mar 1, 2026
Moderate
Hundreds of Passengers Stranded Worldwide as Flight Disruptions Mount
At least 27 flights from Hong Kong to Middle East destinations were disrupted on Sunday, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded at Hong Kong International Airport. Hong Kong authorities received 131 inquiries from residents stranded in the Middle East, with all confirmed to be in safe locations. Major transit hubs in Dubai and Doha remained shut or operating at reduced capacity.
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 meltdown after the Gulf country was repeatedly hit during Iran's retaliatory attacks. The closure reflected authorities' concerns about market stability amid the escalating conflict.
Mon, Mar 2, 2026
Moderate
Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific Extends Suspensions; 37 Flights Grounded
Cathay Pacific announced it would suspend Dubai flights until Thursday and Riyadh flights until Tuesday, bringing the total number of grounded flights between Hong Kong and the Middle East to at least 37. Hongkong Post suspended airmail services to Saudi Arabia and the UAE, affecting 24 countries across the Middle East, Africa, and Central Asia that relied on transit through these hubs.
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 faced higher operating costs as oil prices surged to their highest levels in months with Middle East shipments disrupted. Major transit hubs remained closed for a third straight day, upending Europe-Asia connections dependent on Gulf airspace.
Mon, Mar 2, 2026
Moderate
Travel Costs Surge as Passengers Scramble for Alternative Routes
Analysts warned that the conflict would drive up travel costs for Hong Kong passengers forced to opt for more expensive direct routes to Europe. The suspension of major transit hubs in Dubai and Doha left travellers scrambling for seats on direct flights or 'conflict-free' paths, with surging demand triggering spikes in airfares. Lufthansa announced it would avoid regional airspace until at least March 8.
Mon, Mar 2, 2026
Major
Global Disruption Reaches Worst Levels Since COVID-19 Pandemic
Global air travel chaos intensified as airports in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha remained closed after being directly hit by Iranian strikes. France 24 reported this was the worst disruption to air travel since the COVID-19 pandemic. Thousands of flights were cancelled worldwide, with travelers stranded across Australia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and throughout the Middle East region.
Mon, Mar 2, 2026
Moderate
Limited Flight Resumption as Hundreds of Thousands Remain Stranded
Some 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. Tourists and business travelers hunkered down in hotels and airports awaiting word on when airports would fully reopen. About 13,000 of roughly 32,000 flights scheduled to operate into and out of the Middle East had been cancelled since the previous Saturday.
Tue, Mar 3, 2026
Moderate
Stranded Hongkongers Call for More Official Help; 432 Residents Affected
At least 432 Hong Kong residents remained stranded in the Middle East as of Monday, according to immigration authorities. Some stranded Hongkongers called for greater help from the Chinese embassy and Hong Kong government, reporting difficulties contacting the Chinese embassy in Dubai by phone. The total 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.
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