Experts say global air travel disruption could last months amid Gulf airport shutdowns

Airports in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha have closed due to conflict in the Middle East, causing widespread cancellations and diversions. More than 23,000 flights have been canceled so far, with airlines rerouting via hubs such as Singapore, Hong Kong and Istanbul. Qantas’s Perth–London service is now operating via Singapore. Experts say recovery will be slow and could take months. Passengers in Australia are urged to wait for airline-initiated changes to retain refund and rebooking rights. Repatriation flights, including Dubai–Sydney, have begun.

Global air travel is currently experiencing significant disruption following airspace closures and airport shutdowns in the Middle East. Major airports in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha have been closed in recent days due to the ongoing conflict, leaving thousands of passengers stranded and grounding both passenger and cargo services, including time-sensitive shipments such as medical supplies, food and flowers.

Flight-tracking data indicates that more than 23,000 flights have been canceled since the crisis began. While some emergency corridors have reopened, airlines are rerouting to avoid restricted airspace, using narrower northern or southern paths. This has increased flight times and compressed available routes, complicating network recovery. Specialists note that such disruptions break pre-planned schedules, making restoration of normal operations a slow process that could take months.

Operational complexity is rising as carriers must account for altered routings, jet streams, aircraft spacing and limited open airspace. Fuel costs are also increasing as detours lengthen flight paths. Routing patterns have shifted, with airlines that typically use Gulf hubs diverting via Singapore, Hong Kong, Istanbul and other alternatives. Qantas’s nonstop Perth–London service is currently operating through Singapore to avoid Gulf airspace.

Financial pressures are expected to mount due to higher fuel costs, reduced capacity and operational inefficiencies, and fares may rise if the situation persists. Passengers in Australia are being advised not to cancel bookings preemptively; instead, they should wait for airlines to initiate cancellations to preserve eligibility for refunds or rebooking options. Repatriation flights, including services from Dubai to Sydney, have started operating, but industry officials caution that recovery will be protracted and the disruption to global schedules and supply chains will likely take months to resolve.

Travelers booked on affected routes should monitor airline communications and be prepared for cancellations, delays, and diversions as rerouted flights continue to navigate constrained corridors around closed airspace.