Tuesday Mar 03, 2026
Tuesday Mar 03, 2026
Tuesday, 3 March 2026 03:38 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Over 3,400 flights have been cancelled in the first few days of the Middle East conflict according to flight-tracking data, according to Al Jazeera.
It said major regional airports – including Dubai International, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, and Hamad International Airport in Doha – have suspended operations. In total, six or seven major airports across the region were shut down.
Airspace over much of the region remains closed. This has had a major knock-on effect on global air travel, as Middle Eastern hubs serve as critical connectors between Europe, Asia, Africa, and beyond. When these hubs shut down, the disruption spreads worldwide like a domino effect.
Social media is filled with posts from stranded passengers at Hamad International Airport, Dubai International Airport, and Abu Dhabi. Travellers report long queues to rebook flights, secure hotel vouchers, or receive assistance, with many sleeping inside terminals.
Turkiye yesterday cancelled all Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon flights until Friday over attacks in the region, while all planned flights to Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) were cancelled until today (2).
However, Turkish Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu said that flights would resume to Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh, Jeddah, and Medina airports, as well as to Oman.
Etihad Airways announced that all flights to and from Abu Dhabi in the UAE are suspended until 10:00 GMT tomorrow (3). However as per Flight Radar, the flight tracking website, eight passenger flights were able to take off from Abu Dhabi since 2 p.m. local time yesterday.
SriLankan Airlines continued its suspension of 10 flights collectively to and from Dubai, Doha, Dammam, Riyadh, and Kuwait for the third consecutive day.
Dubai-based carrier Emirates yesterday said it began operating a limited number of flights starting last evening.
“We are accommodating customers with earlier bookings as a priority, and those who have been rebooked to travel on these limited flights will be contacted directly by Emirates,” it said in a statement, urging people to “not go to the airport unless you have been notified.” It added: “All other flights remain suspended until further notice.”
Govt. grants free two-week visa extension
Cabinet Spokesperson and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa yesterday said that the Government has decided to grant a two-week visa extension, free of charge, to foreign nationals currently in Sri Lanka.
The 14-day extension will be subject to review depending on further developments.
Dr. Jayatissa added that authorities are examining alternative air travel arrangements to assist those seeking to return to their home countries.
National carrier SriLankan Airlines has cancelled a series of flights scheduled for Sunday following the continued closure of airspace in parts of the Middle East.
The carrier said services between Colombo and several Middle Eastern destinations were suspended due to prevailing restrictions in the region.
The affected flights are:
UL225 – Colombo to Dubai
UL226 – Dubai to Colombo
UL217 – Colombo to Doha
UL218 – Doha to Colombo
UL253 – Colombo to Dammam
UL254 – Dammam to Colombo
UL265 – Colombo to Riyadh
UL266 – Riyadh to Colombo
UL229 – Colombo to Kuwait
UL230 – Kuwait to Colombo
The airline said the decision was taken to ensure passenger safety and wellbeing in light of the evolving situation and associated airspace limitations.
Passengers requiring further details may contact 1979 within Sri Lanka or +94 11 777 1979 for overseas inquiries. Support is also available via WhatsApp on +94 74 444 1979 (chat only), through authorised travel agents, or via the airline’s official website.
