New data from AirHelp shows Middle Eastern conflict sparks major UK travel disruption

Worsening conflict in Middle Eastern countries has dominated global news since its outbreak nearly two weeks ago, with its effect on air travel causing wide-scale cancellations and delays for UK travellers.
New data from AirHelp has revealed which key airports have some of the most affected flights since the conflict began, including some of the most popular destinations in the region, when compared to the same time period in 2025.
Between 28 February and 8 March 2026, 90% of the flights travelling to the UK from the six key hubs highlighted in the data were disrupted, which includes flights both delayed and cancelled.
When compared to the same period from 2025, just 8% of flights were disrupted. An 82% increase in 2026. When focusing on cancelled flights alone, the jump is just as significant, from 1% to 71%.
These increases can also be seen in the below table, which highlights individual airport performance:
Disruption % of key Middle Eastern airports (28/02 – 08/03, 2025 vs. 2026)
Rank
Airport
Flight Disruption % (2025)
Flight Disruption % (2026)
1
Bahrain International Airport
6%
94%
2
Muscat International Airport
0%
90%
3
Doha Hamad International Airport
2%
92%
4
Dubai International Airport
12%
91%
5
Queen Alia International Airport
14%
83%
6
King Khalid International Airport
6%
80%

The airports highlighted in the data across the Middle East are some of the more popular business and pleasure travel routes for passengers from the UK, making the high levels of disruption a problem for many.
For those flights that were departing from the UK and heading to these key hubs, travel was equally challenging. In 2025, during the same time period, 25% of flights faced disruption, with 2026 shooting up to 90% disruption to these key hubs.
These challenges were shared between many of the key UK airports and regions, with disruption rising on average 67% per the six airports highlighted in the data:
Disruption % of key UK airports to Middle Eastern destinations (28/02 – 08/03, 2025 vs. 2026)
Rank
Airport
Flight Disruption % (2025)
Flight Disruption % (2026)
1
London Heathrow Airport
24%
89%
2
Manchester International Airport
27%
90%
3
London Gatwick Airport
36%
94%
4
Birmingham International Airport
24%
96%
5
London Stansted Airport
15%
91%
6
Edinburgh Airport
26%
96%

Although conflict-related disruptions are not eligible for compensation under EC 261 and UK 261 passenger rights regulations, airlines still have a duty of care to support affected travellers. AirHelp, a leading flight compensation and passenger rights organisation, continues to analyse historical and real-time flight data to highlight disruptions and provide passengers with timely information.
Tomasz Pawliszyn, AirHelp CEO, said: “Conflict-driven disruption in the Middle East is having a significant impact on UK travellers, with thousands facing sudden delays and cancellations across some of the region’s most popular hubs.
“While conflict-related disruption is classed as an extraordinary circumstance and does not entitle travellers to compensation, understanding your rights remains essential. At AirHelp, we aim to make this information clearer so travellers can stay informed about their options. .”