Gulf flights disrupted as Dubai and Abu Dhabi services are diverted or turned back

On Sunday, July 12, as the UAE intercepted Iranian missiles and drones over airspace near the Strait of Hormuz, a number of inbound flights to Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports were placed in holding patterns, and some were diverted or turned back to their origin.

Airspace restrictions over Iran, Iraq and Lebanon have disrupted international routes, forcing major carriers including Emirates, flydubai, Etihad and Qatar Airways to reroute, temporarily suspend, or gradually restore flights. Qatar's airspace and Doha airport reopened to overflights after a brief pause.

The wide disruption to regional air travel raises the cost and duration of West Asia's trade and passenger routes and weighs on economic activity in the Persian Gulf states.