Global Air Travel During Renewed Gulf Strikes: Current Airline and Airspace Status

Global air travel through the Gulf is operating under renewed security pressure rather than a post-war recovery. The April ceasefire no longer describes the current situation: Houthi attacks and emergency alerts have continued to affect southern Saudi Arabia. Saudi airspace remains open overall, but individual flights serving Abha, Jazan and Najran can be cancelled or disrupted at short notice.

There is no blanket closure of commercial airspace across the GCC. Major hubs including Dubai, Doha and Muscat continue to handle flights, but regulators and airlines still warn that routes, timings and individual services can change at short notice.

This guide sets out the current airspace risk, the most specific airline restrictions now published, and the practical choices for affected travellers.

The Current Conflict and What It Means for Air Travel

The US–Iran ceasefire announced in April did not produce lasting normalization. EASA now has separate active conflict-zone bulletins for Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, while Saudi Arabia is covered by a current risk information note.

What Has Changed

• The ceasefire framing is obsolete. Houthi attacks and emergency alerts continue to create elevated risk in southern Saudi Arabia, although the most recent alerts in Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan and Najran have been lifted.
• The broad EASA bulletin was replaced. The earlier bulletin covering the entire Middle East and Persian Gulf was withdrawn in July. The active Persian Gulf bulletin was revised on 31 August and is valid through 30 September 2026 unless reviewed earlier.
• Airports are not uniformly closed. The active EASA bulletin allows operations needed for arrivals and departures at airports in the affected Gulf flight information regions when supported by current risk assessment and monitoring.

What Hasn’t Changed

• Overwater risk remains high. EASA advises affected operators not to fly over Persian Gulf waters within the Bahrain, Kuwait, Doha and Emirates flight information regions except as necessary for airport arrivals and departures.
• The western Gulf of Oman remains restricted in EASA guidance. The agency advises against operations over Gulf of Oman waters west of longitude 58°E within the Muscat flight information region.
• Land operations still require caution. EASA cites missile and drone activity, air-defence operations and falling debris, while Saudi travel advice warns of possible cancellations and periodic airspace closures.

The bottom line: published schedules continue, but a timetable is not proof that a particular flight operated and does not confirm that seats are still available.

Airline Operations Now

Airline responses are route-specific. Home-region carriers continue to publish broad networks, while several European airlines retain suspensions or flexible-booking measures.

Airlines Publishing Substantial Schedules

Emirates does not currently display a blanket Gulf-network suspension on its travel-updates page. Wego’s published timetable lists daily Emirates flight EK5 from Dubai to London Heathrow through 27 September 2026. This is schedule data, not a live departure status or seat-availability check.

Qatar Airways says its updated network covers more than 160 destinations through 15 September, with selected schedule adjustments from 16 September 2026 to 23 March 2027. Wego’s published timetable lists QR1003 from Dubai to Doha daily through 11 October. The airline says schedules remain subject to operational, regulatory, safety and other conditions.

flydubai continues to describe its network as operating on a reduced schedule, with some routes taking longer because of temporary rerouting. Its operational-updates page tells passengers to use the airline’s flight-status tool for their own service.

flynas says flights may change because of airspace closures at some destinations. Its current advisory still offers eligible passengers travelling to or from Kuwait and Bahrain cancellation without a fee up to 48 hours before departure in return for a full credit shell. Wego’s timetable lists nonstop XY233 from Riyadh to Bahrain on Thursdays and Saturdays through 27 September.

Airlines With Current Suspensions or Special Flexibility

KLM says it will not operate flights to Dubai, Riyadh or Dammam through 24 October 2026.

British Airways says some services to and from Abu Dhabi, Amman, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai, Tel Aviv and Riyadh are cancelled or temporarily suspended. Qualifying tickets issued by 1 April for travel between 28 February and 31 October 2026 can be refunded; from 2 June, eligible customers can instead change their journey without a change fee, although a fare difference may apply. Its wider flexibility list also includes Jeddah.

These airline notices do not mean every flight on an affected route is cancelled. Use the carrier’s flight-status page and the status tied to your booking reference.

Airspace and Airport Status Across the Region

The table below summarizes current regulator guidance, not a claim that every airport or route operates normally.

Which Hubs Are Usable Right Now?

Dubai, Doha and Muscat are handling scheduled services, but no hub should be described as universally normal. On 10 September, Muscat Airport’s official board showed completed departures including SalamAir OV761 to Mumbai and several later services still scheduled. Wego timetable data also shows published Dubai–Doha, Dubai–London, Muscat–Dubai and Riyadh–Bahrain services. Live boards and the airline’s booking record remain the stronger evidence for a specific journey.

You can track live flight status for any airport using the Wego flight tracker.

How to Rebook or Plan Travel Now

If your flight is cancelled or materially changed, compare the airline’s rerouting, refund and care options before accepting a voucher.

Current Rebooking and Refund Policies

British Airways: Qualifying regional bookings for travel through 31 October 2026 can be refunded, including when the flight is still scheduled, or changed without a change fee under the airline’s published conditions. Fare differences may apply.

flynas: Eligible Kuwait and Bahrain bookings can be cancelled without a fee up to 48 hours before departure for a full credit shell. This is a voluntary-cancellation offer, not a cash-refund promise.

Qatar Airways: An offer for eligible bookings made by 30 September with Doha as the final destination permits one rebooking-penalty waiver and a refund-penalty waiver for fully unused tickets, subject to the published terms. It does not apply when Doha is only a transit stop.

KLM: The airline says it will automatically rebook passengers whose affected flight is cancelled; passengers may also request a refund under its cancellation process.

Should You Book Now or Wait?

Book only after separating three different signals: a published timetable shows intended service, a fare result shows an offer that may still change, and a live airport or airline status shows whether a specific flight is currently expected to operate. None of these alone guarantees a seat or future operation.

Travel Insurance: What You Need to Know

Coverage for conflict-related disruption depends on the policy, purchase date, exclusions and the exact event that caused the loss. Do not assume every standard policy excludes the claim or that a particular date applies across insurers. Check the policy wording and ask the insurer for a written coverage decision.

What to Expect in the Coming Weeks

The current EASA bulletins are valid through 30 September unless reviewed earlier, while KLM’s Dubai, Riyadh and Dammam suspension runs through 24 October. British Airways’ published flexibility extends to qualifying travel through 31 October. These dates are airline and regulator decision points, not promises that risk will end or every route will resume.

The most likely near-term pattern is continued operation through adjusted corridors, combined with route-level cancellations, rerouting and short-notice changes when military activity intensifies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Dubai and Doha airports open?

They continue to handle scheduled services, but route and airline restrictions remain. flydubai describes a reduced network, Qatar Airways has published revised schedules, and some European airlines retain suspensions. Check the status of the exact flight rather than relying on a city-wide statement.

Does EASA say all Gulf airspace is closed?

No. Its active bulletin advises affected operators to avoid specified overwater airspace, with an exception for operations needed for arrivals and departures at airports in the affected Gulf regions, and to exercise caution over land.

Can I get a refund for a cancelled Middle East flight?

It depends on the airline, ticket and legal regime. British Airways publishes specific refund flexibility for qualifying bookings through 31 October; flynas’ current Kuwait-Bahrain voluntary offer is a credit shell rather than cash. Read the policy that applies to your booking before accepting an alternative.

Does travel insurance cover war-related flight cancellations?

Coverage varies. Policy exclusions, purchase date and the immediate cause of the disruption all matter. Ask the insurer to assess your exact claim in writing.

What do the 9 September attacks mean for Saudi flights?

Saudi airspace and the main hubs remain open, and the most recent emergency alerts in Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan and Najran have been lifted. Houthi attack risk remains elevated, and individual services serving Abha, Jazan and Najran can be cancelled or disrupted at short notice. Follow local emergency instructions and the status for your booked service.

Sources

1. EASA — Airspace of the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, CZIB-2026-07R2
2. EASA — Current Conflict Zone Advisories
3. Saudi Press Agency — Attacks against Khamis Mushait, Abha and Jazan, 9 September 2026
4. UK FCDO — Saudi Arabia Travel Advice
5. flynas — Travel Advisory and Flight Updates
6. flydubai — Operational Updates
7. Qatar Airways — Travel Alerts
8. British Airways — Middle East Operation
9. KLM — Statement on the Situation in the Middle East
10. Emirates — Travel Updates
11. Muscat International Airport — Flight Status

Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.