Published on
March 17, 2026
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Thousands of Travellers stranded across the Middle East signals a widening aviation disruption that is rapidly affecting regional mobility. As Gulf Air, Saudia, Emirates, FlyDubai, IndiGo, EgyptAir and more face 558 flight cancellations and multiple delays, operations across key hubs are under severe strain. Consequently, passengers are experiencing missed connections, extended layovers and operational uncertainty. These disruptions are impacting major routes in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, Qatar and beyond, highlighting the interconnected fragility of the region’s air travel network. Airlines are adjusting schedules, while airport systems attempt to absorb the surge in delays. Meanwhile, ground services are stretched and passenger volumes continue to build. Therefore, the scale of cancellations and delays is not isolated but systemic, affecting both domestic and international corridors. This evolving situation underscores how quickly disruptions can escalate across the Middle East aviation landscape, leaving travellers navigating an increasingly unpredictable travel environment.
Affected Cities and Airports
The disruption spans several major aviation hubs across the Middle East, connecting key cities and their primary airports. In Manama, operations at Bahrain International Airport have been significantly affected, while in Riyadh, King Khalid International Airport is witnessing substantial airline disruptions. Similarly, Dammam’s King Fahd International Airport is facing notable cancellations. The situation intensifies in the UAE, where Dubai International Airport in Dubai is experiencing high volumes of cancellations and delays. In North Africa, Cairo International Airport continues to be impacted in Cairo, while Hamad International Airport in Doha reflects disruptions in Qatar’s primary hub. Additionally, Queen Alia International Airport in Amman and Kuwait International Airport in Kuwait City are also part of the wider network experiencing operational strain, collectively highlighting a region-wide aviation disruption across interconnected global routes.
Flight Cancellations
Bahrain International Airport
| Airline | Cancelled (# / %) | Delayed (# / %) |
|---|---|---|
| Gulf Air | 139 / 97% | 0 / 0% |
| Egypt Air | 1 / 50% | 0 / 0% |
King Khalid International Airport
| Airline | Cancelled (# / %) | Delayed (# / %) |
|---|---|---|
| Gulf Air | 10 / 100% | 0 / 0% |
| Saudia | 7 / 2% | 89 / 32% |
| Emirates | 4 / 57% | 1 / 14% |
| Air India | 3 / 100% | 1 / 33% |
| KLM | 2 / 100% | 0 / 0% |
| ACT Havayollari | 2 / 100% | 0 / 0% |
| Pegasus Airlines | 1 / 50% | 0 / 0% |
| Qatar Airways | 1 / 8% | 0 / 0% |
| FlyDubai | 1 / 10% | 2 / 20% |
| Egypt Air | 1 / 16% | 2 / 33% |
King Fahd International Airport
| Airline | Cancelled (# / %) | Delayed (# / %) |
|---|---|---|
| Gulf Air | 8 / 100% | 0 / 0% |
| Saudia | 5 / 10% | 12 / 24% |
| FlyDubai | 4 / 44% | 0 / 0% |
| Egypt Air | 3 / 37% | 0 / 0% |
| KLM | 2 / 100% | 0 / 0% |
| Emirates | 2 / 25% | 0 / 0% |
| Royal Jordanian | 1 / 25% | 0 / 0% |
Dubai International Airport
| Airline | Cancelled (# / %) | Delayed (# / %) |
|---|---|---|
| Emirates | 123 / 25% | 111 / 22% |
| FlyDubai | 61 / 20% | 47 / 15% |
| IndiGo | 10 / 34% | 0 / 0% |
| Gulf Air | 9 / 90% | 0 / 0% |
| Airblue | 6 / 50% | 0 / 0% |
| Egypt Air | 6 / 75% | 0 / 0% |
| Royal Jordanian | 5 / 83% | 0 / 0% |
| Air India | 4 / 13% | 0 / 0% |
| Air France | 3 / 50% | 0 / 0% |
| US-Bangla Airlines | 3 / 50% | 0 / 0% |
| SpiceJet | 2 / 6% | 0 / 0% |
| Oman Air | 2 / 33% | 0 / 0% |
| SriLankan Airlines | 2 / 40% | 0 / 0% |
| Uzbekistan Airways | 2 / 100% | 0 / 0% |
| Virgin Atlantic | 2 / 100% | 0 / 0% |
| SunExpress | 1 / 50% | 0 / 0% |
| Saudia | 1 / 2% | 0 / 0% |
| Royal Air Maroc | 1 / 100% | 0 / 0% |
Cairo International Airport
| Airline | Cancelled (# / %) | Delayed (# / %) |
|---|---|---|
| Egypt Air | 38 / 16% | 45 / 19% |
| Emirates | 6 / 66% | 3 / 33% |
| Gulf Air | 4 / 100% | 0 / 0% |
| Iraqi Airways | 1 / 50% | 0 / 0% |
Hamad International Airport
| Airline | Cancelled (# / %) | Delayed (# / %) |
|---|---|---|
| Qatar Airways | 10 / 1% | 6 / 1% |
| Gulf Air | 7 / 87% | 0 / 0% |
| Malaysia Airlines | 4 / 66% | 0 / 0% |
| Egypt Air | 3 / 75% | 0 / 0% |
| Kam Air | 2 / 100% | 0 / 0% |
| US-Bangla Airlines | 2 / 100% | 0 / 0% |
| XiamenAir | 1 / 50% | 0 / 0% |
| Royal Air Maroc | 1 / 50% | 0 / 0% |
Queen Alia International Airport
| Airline | Cancelled (# / %) | Delayed (# / %) |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Jordanian | 10 / 8% | 17 / 14% |
| Egypt Air | 6 / 75% | 0 / 0% |
| Gulf Air | 3 / 75% | 0 / 0% |
| Emirates | 2 / 33% | 0 / 0% |
Kuwait International Airport
| Airline | Cancelled (# / %) | Delayed (# / %) |
|---|---|---|
| Gulf Air | 8 / 100% | 0 / 0% |
| Egypt Air | 5 / 83% | 0 / 0% |
| Kuwait Airways Corporation | 2 / 2% | 0 / 0% |
| Kam Air | 2 / 100% | 0 / 0% |
| Pakistan International Airlines | 1 / 100% | 0 / 0% |
Overview of Flight Cancellations
Flight cancellations across the Middle East reveal a highly uneven but severe disruption pattern, led overwhelmingly by Gulf Air, which recorded 139 cancellations (97%) at Bahrain International Airport, alongside additional full-scale cancellations at King Khalid International Airport (10, 100%), King Fahd International Airport (8, 100%), Kuwait International Airport (8, 100%), and Hamad International Airport (7, 87%), indicating a near-total operational breakdown across multiple hubs. Emirates also shows significant impact, particularly at Dubai International Airport with 123 cancellations (25%), supplemented by disruptions in Riyadh (4, 57%), Cairo (6, 66%), and Amman (2, 33%). FlyDubai and IndiGo contribute notably, with 61 cancellations (20%) and 10 cancellations (34%) respectively at Dubai, while EgyptAir demonstrates widespread disruption across multiple airports, including 38 cancellations (16%) in Cairo, alongside high cancellation ratios in Doha (75%), Kuwait (83%), and Dubai (75%). Meanwhile, Saudia shows a mixed profile, with relatively low cancellation rates but broader operational strain, including 7 cancellations (2%) in Riyadh and 5 (10%) in Dammam. Smaller carriers such as KLM, Kam Air, US-Bangla Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, and Royal Air Maroc report 100% cancellation rates in specific instances, underscoring targeted but complete service suspensions. Overall, the data highlights a concentrated crisis driven by specific carriers and hubs, with Gulf Air and Dubai-based operations at the epicentre of the disruption landscape.
What to Do if Your Flight Gets Cancelled: A Quick Guide
Flight cancellations can be frustrating, but knowing the right steps to take can help minimize stress. Here’s what you can do if you find yourself in this situation:
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Stay Updated
Monitor your email, phone, and the airline’s app for rebooking confirmation or further announcements.
Stay Calm and Check for Updates
As soon as you learn your flight is canceled, stay calm and check for updates. Many airlines will notify you via text, email, or their app. Visit the airline’s website for real-time updates on the situation.
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Contact the Airline
Reach out to the airline’s customer service either in person at the airport or over the phone. If you’re at the airport, head to the service desk. If you’re not, try calling or using the airline’s online chat system to avoid waiting in long queues.
Know Your Rights
Familiarize yourself with the airline’s policies regarding cancellations. Many airlines offer rebooking options or compensation, especially if the cancellation is within their control. In the EU, for example, passengers are entitled to compensation under certain conditions.
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Consider Alternative Flights
Ask the airline about the next available flight. If you can’t find a suitable option, consider booking a new flight through another airline, or check for other forms of transport like trains or buses.
The data underscores a widespread and multi-layered aviation disruption across the Middle East, with cancellations concentrated among key carriers and strategic hubs. Gulf Air emerges as the most severely affected airline, while Dubai, Riyadh and Cairo remain critical pressure points in the network. Although some airlines show limited cancellation volumes, high percentage rates indicate complete service suspensions on specific routes. Consequently, the disruption is both broad and uneven, impacting regional and international connectivity. As operations remain volatile, airlines and airports face mounting pressure to stabilise schedules, while travellers must navigate continued uncertainty across major aviation corridors in the region.
Source: FlightAware
