Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain Highlights: Airspace closed, Emirates says do not go to airport unless…

All updates on this live blog have ended. Follow Our Live Coverage, for the latest developments, including live updates on Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha explosions.

Indian airlines, including IndiGo, Air India, Air India Express and SpiceJet, are operating over 12 special flights to various cities in Saudi Arabia and the UAE to bring back passengers stranded due to the escalating Middle East conflict.

Besides, the airlines would operate some special flights to the Middle East on Wednesday.

U.S. lawmakers slammed the State Department on Tuesday for urging U.S. citizens in the Middle East to evacuate three days after the U.S.-Israeli air war against Iran started and when air travel is severely disrupted, saying it was a sign of lack of proper planning.

On Monday, the Department urged Americans across 16 countries in the Middle East to immediately depart the region using "available commercial transportation" without offering any U.S.-government-vouched means.

The Karnataka government on Tuesday said 18 of the 283 people from Karnataka stranded in conflict-hit West Asian countries returned home on Tuesday morning.

Details of all those people from the state stranded in the Gulf region have been forwarded to the MEA and Karnataka Bhavan for necessary coordination and assistance, they said.

Amid escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East following military strikes involving the US, Israel, and Iran, the situation remains tense as major hubs like Hamad International (Doha) and Dubai International (DXB) operate under severe restrictions.

As of March 3, 2026, the closure of airspaces over Qatar, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia has left an estimated 8,000 passengers stranded in Qatar alone, with tens of thousands more affected across the Gulf, news agency ANI reported.

Qatar's Foreign Ministry on Tuesday informed that nearly 8,000 people are stranded in transit in the country, Al Jazeera reported.

Air India on Tuesday announced that it is operating two special relief flights to Jeddah and Dubai amid the conflict. The airline will also be operating a special relief flight to Dubai from Mumbai on March 4.

In a statement, Air India said it was deploying wide-body aircraft with higher capacity on its services to Jeddah and Dubai from Mumbai on March 3 and 4 to facilitate the return of passengers impacted by the ongoing situation in the Middle East.

The United States on Tuesday said it was pulling out non-essential personnel from several U.S. missions across the Middle East and advised American citizens to immediately leave the region, even as air travel remains severely disrupted due to the U.S.-Israeli military operation against Iran.

IndiGo's Bhubaneswar to Dubai flight for Wednesday was cancelled due to the conflict in West Asia, an airport official said here.

Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) Director Prasanna Pradhan on Tuesday said IndiGo's flight to Dubai scheduled for Wednesday was cancelled by the airline, and passengers were informed in advance.

Expressing concern over the ongoing conflict situation in West Asia, Himachal Pradesh Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh on Tuesday said the state government is prioritising the safety of around 45,000 Himachalis living in the Middle-East.

During an interaction with media at Rampur in Shimla district, Singh said the tense situation between Iran, Israel and the United States is a matter of concern.

As many as 80 international flights were cancelled at the Delhi airport on Tuesday due to operational disruptions for airlines amid the escalating Middle East conflict.

Some airlines, including Emirates, have partially started operations to and from the Middle East.

An official said 36 departures and 44 arrivals were cancelled at the Delhi airport.

As the US-Iran conflict enters its fourth day, here's a list of airlines that have cancelled flights:

Aegean Airlines

Air Baltic

Air Canada

Air Europa

Air France

Air India

Cathay Pacific Airways

Delta

El Al Israel Airlines

Emirates

Etihad Airways

Finnair

Iberia Express

IndiGo

ITA Airways

Japan Airlines

KLM

LOT Polish Airlines

Lufthansa

Malaysia Airlines

Norwegian Air

Pegasus

Qatar Airways

Scoot

Singapore Airlines

Tarom

Turkish Airlines

TUS Airways

Virgin Atlantic

Wizz Air

The West Indies cricket team's departure from India after its exit from the T20 World Cup has been delayed owing to international airspace restrictions triggered by the US and Israeli strikes on Iran.

Cricket West Indies said it is working closely with the ICC and relevant government authorities to ensure the safe travel of the players. Flight operations in the Gulf region are currently suspended, with damage also reported at the Dubai International Airport, which is one of the busiest in the world.

Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced that two special flights have been urgently arranged to safely bring back 164 tourists and citizens from Maharashtra who are stranded in Dubai.

Tens of thousands of people, from Romanian religious pilgrims to tourists and diplomats' family members, are stranded across the Middle East as the Iran war spreads throughout the region, AP reported.

Major airlines have canceled flights to and from the region, and airspace across the Gulf is closed. Some of those who are stuck have been forced to seek shelter amid airstrikes, while others are stuck on cruise ships that currently cannot sail through the Strait of Hormuz.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Sultan Haitham bin Tarik of Oman, Crown Prince of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah and Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Tuesday, and expressed concern over attacks on their countries during the ongoing conflict in West Asia, officials said.

According to a Bloomberg report, the disruptions since Iran’s first retaliatory strike are spreading across the region, leading to more than 12,300 flights being canceled, including at major transfer hubs such as Dubai and Doha, according to Flightradar24.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday (local time) said that he spoke with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, adding that the two sides discussed Iranian attacks on civilian infrastructure.

"We discussed how we can help in this situation and support the protection of lives. It was agreed that our teams will work on this," Zelenskyy said on X.

The intensifying Middle East conflict has exposed the extent to which global aviation depends on a small number of key transit hubs, notably Dubai, home to the world’s busiest international airport, as the closure of Gulf airspace sent swift disruptions through airline networks across the globe, Reuters reported.

A group of 23 tourists landed back in Mumbai on Tuesday, days after a drone attack was carried out near their hotel in Dubai. The tourists said they landed in Mumbai via an Etihad Airways flight.

Low-cost airline Norwegian said Tuesday it was extending its suspension of flights to and from Dubai until March 10 because of the war in the Middle East, AFP reported.

Nordic carrier Norwegian Air on Tuesday announced its plans to fly to Tel Aviv in Israel and Beirut in Lebanon from June 15, instead of April 1 and April 4, respectively, as it had earlier planned, Reuters reported.

According to a Hindustan Times report, here's a list of repatriation flights that will arrive in Mumbai on Wednesday:

Royal Jordanian - RJ190 (AMM - BOM), STA 01:40

Gulf Air GF2064 (DMM - BOM), STA 05:50

Spice Jet SG9031 (FJR - BOM), STA 04:00

Spice Jet SG 9014 (FJR - BOM), STA 06:25

At least five repatriation flights from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will reach Mumbai Airport today. Here's a list:

-Emirates - EK8506 (DXB - BOM), STA 13:55

-Star Air S58503 (FJR - BOM), STA 19:30

-Star Air S58302 (FJR - BOM), STA 21:00

-Indigo 6E8636 (JED - BOM), STA 23:55

-Indigo 6E8595 (JED - BOM), STA 23:30

On Tuesday, Iranian army said that its forces have launched attacks on Israel and a US military base in Qatar, as the war raged on for a fourth day, AFP reported.

"The destructive combat drones of the army's ground, air, and naval forces... targeted the military areas of the Zionist regime in the occupied territories and the bases of American forces in Al-Udeid, Qatar," said the army in a statement carried by Shargh daily.

The Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi issued an advisory to Indian nationals in the UAE, assuring them of full support amid heightened regional tensions in West Asia.

In a post on X, the Indian Embassy in the UAE, Ambassador Deepak Mittal addressed the Indian community, urging them to remain cautious.

On Tuesday, Iran targeted the US embassy in Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh with drone while the US and Israel pounded Tehran with airstrikes in what US President Donald Trump suggested was just the beginning of a relentless campaign.

Etihad Airways has issued an airport advisory asking passengers and members of the public not to travel to the airport unless they have been directly contacted by the airline and provided with confirmed ticket details.

In a post on X, the Abu Dhabi-based carrier said access to the airport will be restricted for those without confirmed travel documentation.

“Guests and members of the public are advised not to travel to the airport unless they have been contacted directly by Etihad and provided with confirmed ticket details,” the airline said, adding that others should check their flight status on its official website and await further communication.

The airline emphasised that safety remains its highest priority and thanked passengers for their cooperation.

Travellers scheduled to fly with Etihad in the coming days are advised to monitor official updates and avoid heading to the airport without verified booking confirmation to prevent inconvenience.

Oman Air has announced the cancellation of multiple international flights due to ongoing regional airspace closures, impacting travel across the Gulf and parts of Europe.

In a post on X, the airline said that all flights scheduled on 4 March, 5 March and 6 March 2026 to and from Amman (AMM), Dubai (DXB), Bahrain (BAH), Doha (DOH), Dammam (DMM), Kuwait (KWI), Copenhagen (CPH), Baghdad (BGW) and Khasab (KHS) have been cancelled.

The affected destinations include key regional hubs such as Dubai, Doha and Amman, as well as Copenhagen in Europe.

“All other flights are operating as scheduled; however, some delays may be expected,” the airline said, adding that the safety and well-being of passengers and crew remain its highest priority.

Oman Air said it is closely monitoring developments in coordination with relevant authorities and will continue to share updates via its official channels and website.

Passengers travelling to or from the affected destinations during this period are advised to check their flight status before heading to the airport and contact the airline for rebooking or refund options.

SpiceJet is operating special flights from Fujairah to Delhi, Mumbai and Kochi to support Indian nationals travelling home.

Oman Air posted: Wednesday, 4 March, Thursday, 5 March and Friday, 6 March 2026: All flights to and from Amman (AMM), Dubai (DXB), Bahrain (BAH), Doha (DOH), Dammam (DMM), Kuwait (KWI), Copenhagen (CPH), Baghdad (BGW), and Khasab (KHS).

US State Department orders 'non-emergency' staff to leave Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, Iraq as US embassy in Riyadh confirms attack, closes temporarily

The US says: “Do not travel to Iraq due to terrorism, kidnapping, armed conflict, civil unrest, and the U.S. government’s limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Iraq. Do not travel to Iraq for any reason. Leave now if you are there.”

Air Arabia flights to and from the UAE are temporarily suspended until 15:00 (UAE time), Wednesday, 04 March 2026. Flights to Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, and Iraq are suspended until 05 March 2026.

In an advisory for its citizens in Watar, the US Embassy said:

>Americans who wish to depart should take advantage of commercial transportation options.

>If you choose to remain in Qatar, be prepared to shelter in place should the situation deteriorate.

>Have a plan to depart in an emergency that does not depend on U.S. government help. Review our information on Crisis and Evacuations .

>Visit our website for information on Travel to High-Risk Areas .

>Monitor local media for breaking events and be prepared to adjust your plans.

>Develop a communication plan with family, your employer, or host organization. Plan together how and when you’ll confirm you are safe (text or call)

>Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to get important updates and alerts from the U.S. embassy or consulate. Enrolling helps the U.S. embassy or consulate contact you or your emergency contact in an emergency.

>Review the Country Security Report

>Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for the latest Travel Health Information for Qatar.

A passenger who arrived at IGI Airport from Dubai says, "The situation is quite normal, there's not much tension, but due to flight cancellations and other things, people are facing financial impacts. Staying there is very expensive... Air India guided us completely. The government there is providing as much help as it can."

The US Embassy in Riyadh has cancelled all consular services across its missions in Saudi Arabia, including Jeddah, Riyadh, and Dhahran, following an attack on the embassy, several reports claimed.

Both routine and emergency appointments for Tuesday are cancelled, and a “shelter in place” order is in effect. The embassy urged Americans to avoid its premises and maintain a personal safety plan until further notice.

Qatar Airways flight operations remain temporarily suspended due to the closure of Qatari airspace.

Qatar Airways will resume operations once the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority announces the safe reopening of Qatari airspace. A further update will be provided on 04 March by 09:00 Doha time (06:00 UTC).

Qatar Airways tweeted: "All passengers are advised to monitor the latest flight information via http://qatarairways.com or the Qatar Airways mobile app.

For passengers currently in Doha, or for booking assistance, please visit our official updates page: http://qatarairways.com/travelalerts."

A stranded passenger says, "I am from Palestine originally, have a residency permit in Qatar. I came here for 6 days, on a business trip on February 22nd. I was supposed to fly back to Qatar, but due to the situation in the Gulf countries and the Middle East, my flight was cancelled and I am stuck in India... My family is in Qatar right now and I need to fly back..."

Five Emirates aircraft departed Dubai this morning — all A380s — bound for Jeddah, Manchester, Paris, London, and Frankfurt, Flightradar reported.

Following a comprehensive safety review, Akasa Air is operating select flights to and from Jeddah on March 03 and March 04, 2026:

March 03, 2026

• QP 561 Mumbai – Jeddah I ETD - 19:20

• QP 562 Jeddah – Mumbai I ETD - 23:55

Akasa Air flights shared latest update, saying, "We are closely monitoring the evolving situation in the Middle East. Akasa Air flights to and from Abu Dhabi, Doha, Jeddah, Kuwait and Riyadh remain suspended for March 03, 2026. Flight status for these destinations will be updated based on the prevailing situation.

For all bookings made to or from these cities until March 07, 2026, passengers may opt for a full refund or reschedule their travel at no additional cost. Eligible refunds will be credited to your original source of payment within 7 days. We request you to check with your travel partner if your booking has been made through one.

Our teams continue to closely monitor the safety and security environment and will proactively adjust our operations as required.

Passengers are requested to check their flight status at http://bit.ly/qpfltsts before commencing travel to the airport. For further assistance, please contact our 24x7 Akasa Care Centre at +91 9606112131.

We remain committed to maintaining the highest standards of safety for our passengers and crew. Our teams are extending all necessary support to affected passengers.

We thank you for your patience and appreciate your understanding during this time.

Our next travel update will be shared by 12:00 IST on March 03, 2026."

Customers who have been rebooked to travel on these limited flights will be contacted directly by Emirates.

Please do not go to the airport unless you have been notified.

Saudi defence ministry says 8 drones intercepted near Riyadh, Al-Kharj

According to CBS News, Qatar’s Ministry of Defense said as of Monday it has successfully intercepted 90 ballistic missiles, 24 drones, three cruise missiles and two Su-24 fighter jets since the start of the US-Iran conflict.

UAE President, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the Dubai Crown Prince, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum visited the Dubai Mall amid conflict with Iran, that claimed the lives of three.

Dubai Media Office posted a video of them in the mall and captioned it as, “Close to the people. Steady in leadership.”

AirBaltic flight BT9802 from Dubai is operating without passengers due to current EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency) safety and regulatory restrictions that allow the aircraft with AirBaltic crew to be repositioned, but do not permit commercial passenger transport.

“We continue to monitor the situation, and we are working towards resuming passenger services as soon as conditions allow,” AirBaltic said.

Bahrain's Munistry of Interior posted on X, “The alarm siren has been activated. Citizens and residents are requested to remain calm, head to the nearest safe location, and follow updates through official channels.”

The US Mission to Saudi Arabia has issued a shelter in place notification for Jeddah, Riyadh and Dhahran and are limiting non-essential travel to any military installations in the region – we recommend American citizens in the Kingdom to shelter in place immediately and avoid the Embassy until further notice due to an attack on the facility.

According to the Associated Press, the limited flights out of Dubai and Abu Dhabi took place as the US State Department urged its own citizens in 13 countries, including UAE, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Lebanon and Oman, to "depart now via commercial means due to serious safety risks."

Sweeping airspace closures and flight cancellations across the region left many fewer options for heeding the advice.