Mar. 3 at 7:42 PM
Americans in the Middle East are being urged to return home using commercial flights, but widespread cancellations are complicating travel plans.
Since Feb. 28, when the U.S. launched strikes on Iran, more than 19,000 flights — about 55% of scheduled departures and arrivals in the region — have been canceled, according to Cirium. Over 80% of flights from the UAE, Qatar, Iran, Israel, Iraq, and Bahrain have been scrapped.
U.S. carriers have extended disruptions. Delta Air Lines has canceled Tel Aviv–New York JFK flights through March 9. United Airlines suspended service to and from Dubai and Tel Aviv through March 8 and warned of broader disruptions through March 31. American Airlines issued travel alerts for several Middle Eastern hubs.
Airline stocks have fallen, with the sector pressured more by rising oil prices than by flight cuts. Meanwhile, European governments are organizing evacuations.
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