Turkish Airlines suspends Middle East flights amid regional airspace closures

2026-02-28 - 11:12

Turkish Airlines, Türkiye's flagship carrier, has suspended flight services to several Middle Eastern countries as regional airspace closures take effect following the joint US-Israeli military operation against Iran. Yahya Ustun, the airline's senior vice president for communications, announced on the social media platform X that flights to Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran and Jordan will remain canceled until March 2, 2026. The decision reflects growing concerns over aviation safety as military activity intensifies across the region. Saturday services affected Ustun further confirmed that flights scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 28, to Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Oman have also been called off. The airline is closely monitoring airspace developments in real time, with officials warning that additional cancellations may follow depending on how the security situation progresses. Passengers holding tickets for affected routes have been advised to verify their flight status through the carrier's official website before heading to airports. Regional aviation paralyzed The Turkish Airlines cancellations mirror a broader disruption gripping Middle Eastern air travel. The United Arab Emirates has temporarily closed its airspace to all aircraft and passenger traffic, while Qatar has suspended air operations entirely. Kuwait has halted all flights to Iran until further notice, joining a growing list of nations implementing emergency measures. Syria has temporarily suspended flights through its southern air corridors, and Iraq has closed its airspace after clearing all airborne aircraft from its skies. Wider implications for travel The widespread aviation shutdowns represent one of the most significant regional airspace closures in recent years, stranding travelers and disrupting cargo movements. For Türkiye, which serves as a major transit hub between Europe, Asia and the Middle East, the cancellations create logistical challenges for connecting passengers and freight operations. As the conflict between US-Israeli forces and Iran continues to unfold, neighboring countries remain on high alert, with aviation authorities prioritizing safety over schedule regularity. Regional observers note that the duration of these closures will likely depend on whether the military confrontation remains contained or expands further.