Umrah Flights Face Delays and Cancellations Amid US-Iran Attacks
Key Takeaways
- Major airlines including Emirates, Qatar Airways, Saudia, and Air India have canceled or suspended flights following the attack.
- Key transit hubs in Doha, Dubai, and Bahrain face widespread disruptions, impacting pilgrims connecting to Jeddah.
- Hundreds of Umrah pilgrims remain stranded at airports, with airlines working to reaccommodate passengers.
February 28, 2026 – Thousands of Umrah pilgrims face severe travel disruptions following the joint US and Israel attack on Iran, which triggered widespread airspace closures across the Middle East.
Major airlines have canceled, suspended, or rerouted flights, leaving pilgrims stranded at key transit hubs in Doha, Dubai, and Bahrain.
Gulf and Regional Carriers Hit Hard
The region’s largest airlines have confirmed significant operational disruptions:
- Emirates — Multiple flights disrupted due to UAE airspace closure. Passengers have been told to check their flight status, with confirmed cancellations reported.
- Etihad Airways — The Abu Dhabi-based carrier confirmed “some flights have been cancelled and others subject to delay.”
- flydubai — Reported flights being “rerouted, returning to stand, or cancelled” as Dubai airspace faced restrictions.
- Qatar Airways — Temporarily suspended operations due to Qatar’s air traffic movement closure in Doha, a major transit hub for pilgrims from Asia, Europe, and Africa.
- Saudia (Saudi Arabian Airlines) — Confirmed “a number” of flights canceled, affecting pilgrims already en route to the Kingdom.
International Carriers Cancel and Suspend Routes
Global airlines have also pulled back from the region:
- KLM — Suspending flights to and from Tel Aviv starting Sunday, with broader regional implications.
- Virgin Atlantic — Canceled at least its London–Dubai flight and is rerouting other services to avoid affected airspace, causing knock-on delays.
- Turkish Airlines — Announced suspensions across multiple regional destinations through the weekend, affecting connections through Istanbul.
- Air India — Suspended all flights to Middle East destinations, leaving hundreds of pilgrims from the subcontinent stranded.
Aircraft Turned Back Mid-Flight
In some cases, flights already airborne were forced to turn around:
- American Airlines — A Philadelphia–Doha flight was shown turning back mid-route as airspace closed.
- Air Canada — A Toronto–Dubai flight U-turned over the Atlantic, returning to Canada after airspace restrictions were announced.
These incidents highlight the fluid and unpredictable nature of the situation, with airlines making real-time decisions to ensure passenger safety.
Pilgrims Stranded at Transit Hubs
The disruption has hit hardest at key Gulf transit airports that thousands of Umrah pilgrims rely on daily to reach Jeddah and Madinah. Hamad International Airport in Doha, Dubai International Airport, and Bahrain International Airport have all reported significant delays and cancellations, leaving pilgrims stranded mid-journey.
Many pilgrims from South Asia, Southeast Asia, Europe, and Africa book flights with layovers in these Gulf hubs before continuing to Saudi Arabia. With flights in and out of Qatar, the UAE, and Bahrain affected, thousands are now stuck at these airports or unable to board their initial flights.
Another pilgrim stranded in Dubai told reporters, “More than 60 percent of Umrah pilgrims from my country transit through Dubai. Right now, everyone is stuck—sitting on airport floors, hoping for news.”
Travel Operators Working to Reaccommodate Pilgrims
Umrah tour operators and travel agencies are currently coordinating with airlines to rebook affected passengers. Some pilgrims have been placed on later flights, while others are awaiting confirmation of alternative arrangements.
Industry representatives say such disruptions, while challenging, are typically temporary and dependent on evolving security assessments. They advised affected pilgrims to maintain contact with their operators and document all changes for potential insurance claims.
Saudi authorities have confirmed that Umrah rituals themselves remain unaffected, and entry into the Kingdom continues normally for those who arrive. The Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah remain open and fully operational for all pilgrims.
Looking Ahead
Aviation experts note that flight schedules may continue to fluctuate as airlines monitor the regional situation.
The UAE, Qatar, and other nations have begun reopening airspace, but carriers are proceeding cautiously, with residual delays expected for days.
