Iran conflict snarls air travel: Americans urged to exercise caution
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Stranded passengers wait at the Velana International Airport in Malé, the capital of the Maldives, on Sunday after the cancelation of several flights destined for the Middle East. Photo: Mohamed Afrah/AFP via Getty Images
The fallout from U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran has disrupted air travel and prompted the State Department to issue a worldwide caution for Americans in addition to warnings against visiting several countries in the Middle East.
The big picture: Thousands of flights have been canceled, major airports in the region have shut, and the State Department on Monday urged Americans to "DEPART NOW" from 14 countries and two Palestinian territories via commercial transportation "due to serious safety risks," per a post to X by Mora Namdar, assistant secretary of state for consular affairs.
State of play: The State Department in its weekend security alert urged Americans worldwide to exercise increased caution.
- "Following the launch of U.S. combat operations in Iran, Americans worldwide and especially in the Middle East should follow the guidance in the latest security alerts issued by the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate," per the travel advisory.
- As U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran and counterstrikes from Tehran and its allies continued over the weekend, the State Department raised its travel advisories to Level 3: "Reconsider Travel due to safety risks" for Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain.
Zoom in: Among the major airports to shut into Monday are travel hubs in Qatar, Dubai and Abu Dhabi — with casualties reported at the latter two as Iran retaliated with strikes on U.S. allies throughout the region over the weekend.
- Abu Dhabi's airport reported falling debris from an intercepted drone killed one person and wounded seven others on Saturday, when Kuwait's airport said a drone strike at its airport the same day had resulted in injuries and Dubai's airport was also hit.
- Dubai airport authorities said only that four staff sustained injuries in an "incident" that damaged a concourse.
Meanwhile, major airlines have paused flights to and from Middle East destinations.
- United Airlines canceled flights from the U.S. to Dubai through Wednesday and those to Tel Aviv until Friday.
- Delta Airlines suspended its service to Tel Aviv through Sunday and flights from the city until March 8.
- Other airlines to announce service suspensions in the region include Air France, Air India, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, KLM, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines.
Go deeper: U.S. cities step up security amid Iran tensions
Editor's note: This article has been updated with further comment from Mora Namdar, assistant secretary of state for consular affairs, more details on flight cancelations and airport closures.
