UAE Airspace Shuts Down Amid U.S-Israel Strike on Iran

The U.S and Israel launched military strikes on Iran over the weekend, killing Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and heightening instability across the Middle East, triggering widespread flight cancellations, airspace closures, and passenger disruption.

Airports across the Middle East — including Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Israel, and other Gulf states — have shut their airspace amid missile threats and retaliatory strikes. Hundreds of thousands of travellers are stranded worldwide as rerouted and cancelled services overwhelm airline customer services.

A statement on Air Canada’s website on Sunday (March 1) says the airline has now has extended its goodwill policy for flights to, from or through Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Tel Aviv, Beirut, Amman, Erbil and Dammam. Under the policy, cancelled flights will receive a full refund changes are allowed, free of charge, to another date between now and March 31, 2026, subject to availability in the cabin originally purchased. Outside of those dates, any fare difference will apply.

Here at home, Global Affairs Canada has expanded travel warnings; Canadians are being advised to avoid all travel to Iran, Israel, and several Gulf and Levant countries due to the unpredictable security situation. Warnings also strongly suggest Canadians already in the region leave if it is safe and feasible. Toronto Pearson Airport and other hubs have issued advisories that schedule changes and cancellations are likely due to changing international airspace controls.

During retaliation attacks by Iran on Saturday, Fairmont’s The Palm hotel on Dubai’s iconic Palm Jumeirah Island was hit by debris from intercepted missiles, sparking a fire. CNN reports the city “was almost unrecognizable; on a winter weekend – peak tourist season – the city’s beaches, malls and hotel brunches would normally be full. Instead, highways were largely empty and the sky was clear of the constant stream of arriving and departing aircraft.”

According to reports, at least 555 people have been killed since Saturday, including 150 schoolgirls during a strike at an elementary school. President Trump said the conflict could last “four weeks or so.”