The US and Iran have been trading strikes for the past 11 days, as both countries continue to violate the terms of the ceasefire and memorandum of understanding signed in June. The US has been striking military targets in Iran for 11 consecutive nights, while Iran has targeted US bases across the region, with Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan intercepting several attacks in recent days. Earlier this week, a power generator and a water desalination plant in Kuwait were damaged, while three US soldiers were killed in Jordan.
Since the ceasefire agreement fell apart last month, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain have all faced missile and drone fire, as well as Jordan. Several ships in the Strait of Hormuz have also been struck, with reports of two oil tankers exploding on Sunday night.
It is the worst flare-up in the region since the Memorandum of Understanding to end the conflict was signed by the US and Iran on 17 June. Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump told reporters as he arrived in Turkey ahead of the Nato summit that the ceasefire was “over”, although he added that negotiators on both sides could continue talking, with regional mediators Qatar and Pakistan ramping up diplomatic efforts.
Despite several Gulf countries being impacted by the latest spate of attacks, air travel in the region has remained largely stable, with limited cancellations and disruption. Flights to and from Kuwait City have faced some disruption over the past week, as the country deals with incoming missile and drone fire from Iran. Several international airlines have extended their route cancellations to the Middle East after the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) issued a conflict zone advisory for the Gulf, urging airlines to avoid airspace over the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar until Wednesday, 29 July.
As a result of the developing situation, those travelling from, to or through the region should remain vigilant to possible flight disruptions, especially as it coincides with the summer travel rush, with many families leaving the region for the summer to escape the harsh temperatures.
Emirates issued a special advisory for families travelling during this period, warning them to ensure they arrive at the airport at least three hours before their scheduled departure time, clear security with 90 minutes to spare, and be at their gate one hour before departure time. And with many international airlines still not flying from the region, those travelling on regional airlines can expect key routes into Europe, the US and Asia to be busier than usual.
Here’s what travellers with flights booked across the Middle East need to know right now.
This article was updated with the latest information on Wednesday, 22 July 2026
Which airlines are operating in the Middle East?
All airlines with flights into airports with restricted airspace are currently operating with reduced and limited schedules, including routes headed for Dubai International Airport, Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport, Bahrain International Airport, Doha’s Hamad International Airport, Kuwait International Airport, Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport and Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport.