Middle East conflict continues to disrupt air travel across Gulf

Air travel across the Persian Gulf remains under strain as the ongoing conflict involving Iran continues to disrupt regional aviation, with two major incidents reported over the past two days.

According to US media, the latest disruptions highlight the growing risks to air traffic in the region. On Monday, operations at Dubai International Airport were temporarily suspended after a drone struck a fuel tank, triggering a large fire. Dramatic flames were seen rising above the airport before emergency services brought the blaze under control. No injuries were reported.

The incident caused significant disruption to flight schedules. Several flights were cancelled, while others were delayed or diverted to alternative airports. Data from Flightradar24 showed that flights departing from the United Kingdom, Ireland, India, and Pakistan were forced to return to their points of origin.

Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest hub for international passenger traffic, handles close to 100 million travellers annually and serves as the main base for Emirates, one of the largest global carriers.

A second серьезный incident occurred on Tuesday evening, further underscoring the volatility of the situation. The UAE Civil Aviation Authority temporarily closed part of the country’s airspace as an “exceptional precautionary measure” after the United Arab Emirates said it was responding to missile and drone attacks originating from Iran.

The airspace closure lasted for approximately two hours before normal operations resumed. The UAE is home to two major regional aviation hubs — Dubai and Abu Dhabi, where Etihad Airways is based.

Despite the security risks, major carriers, including Emirates and Etihad, have increased flight volumes through their hubs. However, the incidents of the past two days demonstrate that the угрозa posed by regional conflict remains acute and continues to affect aviation operations.

At the same time, the impact is being felt globally. Airfares on routes avoiding Middle Eastern airspace are rising as the conflict persists. This trend is being driven by sharply increasing oil prices, with airlines warning that higher fuel costs are likely to translate into more expensive tickets in the near future.

By Tamilla Hasanova