At the 2025 International Air Transport Association (IATA) summit in New Delhi, Emirates Airline President Tim Clark highlighted a “greater degree of determination” from Boeing’s new leadership in tackling the manufacturer’s longstanding production and delivery challenges.

 Clark acknowledged meaningful progress in stabilizing Boeing’s production lines, a critical factor for Emirates given its massive order of 205 Boeing 777X aircraft.

Originally, Emirates expected deliveries of the 777X years earlier, but Clark confirmed the airline now anticipates receiving its first aircraft between late 2026 and early 2027. This revised timeline reflects ongoing delays caused by complex certification processes, manufacturing issues, and heightened regulatory scrutiny following safety concerns with Boeing’s previous models.

 Despite these setbacks, Clark expressed cautious optimism, noting a “more positive tone” from Boeing regarding the wide-body program’s future.

Clark also used the IATA platform to call on aircraft manufacturers, including Boeing and Airbus, to take full accountability for persistent supply chain disruptions. He criticized the industry’s tendency to blame external supply chain issues, stating bluntly, “You are the supply chain,” urging OEMs to ensure their suppliers meet delivery commitments.

His remarks underscore growing frustration within the airline industry over chronic delays that hinder fleet modernization and sustainability goals.

Emirates is meanwhile investing heavily in retrofitting its existing fleet, including Airbus A380s and Boeing 777-300ERs, to maintain service quality while awaiting the 777X deliveries. The airline plans to retrofit 90% of its fleet, reinforcing its position as a leader in premium economy offerings during this interim period.

In summary, while Boeing’s 777X program faces significant delays—pushing first deliveries to late 2026 or early 2027—Emirates remains cautiously hopeful about the aircraft’s eventual introduction.

At the same time, the airline demands greater transparency and responsibility from manufacturers to resolve ongoing supply chain and production challenges that impact the global aviation industry.

The United States has quietly withdrawn nearly 40 military aircraft from Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, its largest airbase in the Middle East, amid escalating fears of potential Iranian strikes as tensions rise between Iran and Israel.

Satellite images from Planet Labs PBC, analyzed by multiple news agencies, show that between June 5 and June 19, the previously crowded tarmac—home to C-130 Hercules transport planes and advanced reconnaissance jets—was largely emptied, with only three aircraft visible by June 19.

The move is widely seen as a preemptive measure to protect US military assets from possible Iranian attacks, especially as Washington weighs whether to support Israel’s ongoing military operations against Iran.

US officials, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the aircraft were removed due to their vulnerability to potential Iranian missile or drone strikes, given the base’s proximity to Iran. In addition to the aircraft, some US naval vessels have also been repositioned from the region as a precaution.

The US Embassy in Qatar has responded by restricting access to the base, citing “an abundance of caution and in light of ongoing regional hostilities,” and has urged personnel to exercise increased vigilance.

Meanwhile, public flight tracking data shows that at least 27 US military refueling aircraft, such as the KC-46A Pegasus and KC-135 Stratotanker, were redeployed from the US to Europe between June 15 and 18, with most remaining in Europe as of June 19—an indication that the US could be preparing for extended operations or repositioning assets for greater security.

Al Udeid Air Base, located near Doha and established in 1996, houses around 10,000 US troops and serves as the forward headquarters for US Central Command (CENTCOM). It has played a pivotal role in US operations across Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan.

The current redeployment comes as US forces across the Middle East are placed on high alert, with military families offered voluntary evacuation from bases in the region due to the heightened risk of Iranian retaliation.

President Donald Trump has not yet decided whether the US will join Israel’s campaign against Iran’s military and nuclear infrastructure, but a decision is expected within the next two weeks, according to White House officials. Iran has warned that any US involvement in the conflict would trigger direct attacks on American bases in the region

Oman has intensified its efforts to repatriate citizens from northern regions of Iran, as part of a wider response to ongoing regional tensions. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in coordination with the Omani Embassy in Tehran, has launched a multi-phase evacuation plan utilizing key land border crossings with Turkey, Iraq, and Turkmenistan.

These routes include the Razi-Kapiköy crossing into Turkey, the Shalamcheh-Basra crossing into Iraq, and the Bagiran-Ashgabat route for those near Mashhad heading into Turkmenistan.

In the latest phase of this operation, 123 Omani nationals were safely returned home via Bandar Abbas following careful coordination with relevant authorities. Ten coaches were dispatched to transport citizens from northern Iran to the Turkish border, while three coaches were sent towards the Shalamcheh crossing with Iraq, reflecting the Ministry’s commitment to secure and orderly travel arrangements.

The Ministry has established assembly points in Shiraz and Bandar Abbas and urges all citizens in Iran to remain in their current locations, cooperate with embassy field teams, and await instructions regarding departure schedules. Omani authorities have expressed gratitude to Iranian officials for their cooperation and reaffirmed their round-the-clock efforts to ensure the safety of all citizens.

These repatriation measures come amid heightened regional instability, with Oman also intensifying diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions, particularly following Israeli military actions against Iran. His Majesty and senior officials have emphasized the importance of dialogue, international law, and peaceful negotiation as the only viable path to lasting regional security and stability.
To date, more than 300 Omani citizens have been repatriated from Iran under this coordinated operation, and the Ministry continues to call on all nationals in affected areas to maintain contact with Omani representatives and register their details for support.

Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 and FlightAware reveals a sharp increase in flight cancellations to Dubai International Airport (DXB), affecting routes far beyond the immediate Middle East conflict zone. The surge follows widespread airspace closures over Iran, Iraq, Jordan, and Israel due to the Iran–Israel crisis that began on June 13, causing significant ripple effects across global aviation networks.

On routes from Pakistan and India, cancellation rates have jumped fourfold from a pre-crisis average of 5% to about 20%. Flights from Karachi, Lahore, and Multan have been particularly affected, with many services scrubbed around June 7 as the crisis escalated. European connections, while less severely impacted, are also under strain.

 Routes from Istanbul and other major hubs now face cancellation rates of 5–10%, up from the usual 1–3%, indicating a broadening disruption across international air traffic networks.

The closure of critical air corridors has left airlines with difficult operational choices: reroute flights via much longer paths, adding hours to travel time, or cancel services entirely to prevent cascading disruptions to aircraft rotations and crew schedules. These detours not only increase fuel costs and logistical complexity but also reduce overall fleet flexibility, leading to more cancellations even on routes not directly affected by the closed airspaces.

The operational impact has been substantial. As of June 16, more than 700 flights across the region had been cancelled, including services from Dubai International (DXB), Dubai World Central (DWC), Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International, and Sharjah International Airport. On June 16 alone, 6% of flights from DXB were cancelled and 34% delayed. Low-cost carriers like Flydubai and Air Arabia have seen cancellation rates as high as 13% and 12%, respectively, with delays affecting up to 38% of flights on some days.

Major UAE airlines Emirates, Etihad, Flydubai, Wizz Air, and Air Arabia have all extended suspensions and cancellations to destinations including Iran, Iraq, Israel, Lebanon, and Jordan, with some routes suspended until June 30. Emirates has also confirmed that passengers with connecting flights to these destinations will not be accepted for travel until further notice. Flydubai and Air Arabia have similarly adjusted their timelines, with ongoing suspensions and gradual resumptions for certain routes.

The UAE authorities have responded by launching an emergency airport response plan to ensure passenger safety and manage the increased disruption. Travelers are being advised to check flight status regularly, allow extra time for airport procedures, and be flexible with travel plans. Dubai Airports has issued advisories about ongoing delays and cancellations, emphasizing efforts to minimize inconvenience.

Beyond the Middle East, secondary routes to destinations such as Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Uzbekistan have also been affected, with flights either cancelled or delayed due to rerouting around closed airspaces. The situation remains fluid, and airlines continue to prioritize long-haul and high-demand routes, leaving some secondary services more vulnerable to disruption.

Passengers are urged to stay updated through official airline channels and to expect continued delays and cancellations as the crisis evolves.

A Saudia Airlines flight carrying 442 Hajj pilgrims was diverted in Indonesian airspace on Tuesday after a bomb threat was received via email. The aircraft, a Boeing 777 operating as Flight SV 5276 from Jeddah to Jakarta, was carrying 207 men and 235 women on their pilgrimage journey when the threat was reported at around 7:30 am local time. The message, sent by an unidentified individual, threatened to "blow up" the plane while it was en route to Jakarta International Airport.

In response to the security alert, the pilot diverted the flight to Kualanamu International Airport in Medan, North Sumatra, landing safely just after 10:00 am. Upon arrival, all passengers and crew were immediately evacuated without incident. Indonesian authorities, including a joint team from the police bomb disposal unit, military, and airport security, thoroughly searched the aircraft, baggage, and cargo compartments. The sweep concluded at 6:47 pm and found no evidence of explosives or other threats.

During the inspection, the aircraft was moved to an isolated area of the airport to ensure normal operations continued at Kualanamu. Passengers and crew were accommodated in nearby hotels while the investigation proceeded. After the aircraft was cleared and declared safe, it was allowed to continue its journey to Jakarta with its original passengers and crew on Wednesday morning.

Saudia Airlines emphasized that the safety and well-being of its guests and crew remain the highest priority. The airline provided full care and support to all onboard and arranged onward travel. Indonesian authorities praised the swift and coordinated response of the airline, airport security, and local government for maintaining calm and ensuring passenger safety throughout the incident.

The Directorate General of Indonesian Civil Aviation confirmed that the bomb threat was a hoax, and no one was harmed during the incident. The quick action prevented any disruption to other airport activities, and the situation was resolved without further incident.

The recent escalation of the Israel-Iran conflict has resulted in over 500 flights being cancelled or delayed across key international airports in Israel, the UAE, Qatar, and Turkey. This turmoil, characterized by missile attacks and extensive airspace disruptions, has forced airlines such as Delta, Air India, United, Emirates, Saudia, and Qatar Airways to alter their operations drastically.

As regional tensions rise, major airports—including Ben Gurion, Dubai International, Hamad International, and Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen—have become focal points of aviation chaos, impacting countless travelers as they approach the busy summer season.

Ben Gurion Airport, Israel: 53 Flights Cancelled

In Israel, Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv faced significant disruptions, with 53 flights cancelled on Saturday alone. This surge in cancellations was largely due to safety concerns following Iran's missile retaliation against Israeli airstrikes that targeted prominent Iranian officials and nuclear scientists. While there were no reported delays, multiple airlines opted to suspend operations altogether.

United Airlines cancelled five flights, effectively halting their operations for the day. Similarly, Delta Air Lines and KLM cancelled all their scheduled flights. FlyDubai reported 10 cancellations, affecting over 60% of its daily operations. Other regional carriers, including Israir, El Al, and Cyprus Airways, also faced total cancellations on some routes.

Dubai International and Sharjah Airports, UAE: 362 Disruptions Combined

The UAE's aviation sector was hit particularly hard, with Dubai International Airport reporting a staggering 85 cancellations and 184 delays, summing up to 269 disruptions—the highest for any single airport in the region. Sharjah International Airport added to this chaos with 34 cancellations and 23 delays, bringing the national total to 362 flight disruptions.

FlyDubai, based in Dubai, suffered significantly, cancelling 62 flights and delaying 57 more, which impacted nearly one in five of its operations. Emirates, the UAE's flagship airline, experienced 16 cancellations and 86 delays. This ripple effect extended to other carriers such as Air India, Air India Express, SpiceJet, and Royal Jordanian, showcasing the widespread impact on airlines not directly operating in Israel.

Hamad International Airport, Qatar: 105 Disruptions

In Qatar, Hamad International Airport experienced a wave of complications, with 22 cancellations and 83 delays, totaling 105 impacted flights. Qatar Airways, the national carrier, was responsible for the majority of these disruptions, cancelling 22 flights and delaying 74, which accounted for roughly 12% of its daily schedule. Other airlines, such as Finnair, China Southern, and Jazeera Airways, also reported minor delays.

Despite Qatar's neutral position in the Israel-Iran conflict, the escalating regional instability and the risks associated with overflight prompted many airlines to reroute or suspend their operations through Qatari airspace.

Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, Turkey: 68 Flights Affected

Turkey's Sabiha Gökçen Airport in Istanbul reported 15 cancellations and 53 delays, primarily driven by regional carriers. Pegasus Airlines was particularly affected, leading the disruption count with 34 delays and 15 cancellations. Turkish Airlines, while reporting 10 delays, managed to avoid cancellations.

Although Turkey is geographically distanced from the immediate conflict zones, the substantial number of connecting flights through its airports resulted in cascading effects on operations. Factors like repositioning of flight crews and regulatory detours contributed to the delays.

Understanding the Flight Disruptions

The extensive wave of flight cancellations and delays across Israel, the UAE, Qatar, and Turkey is a direct consequence of the rapidly escalating military tensions between Israel and Iran. The conflict began with Israel launching a significant air offensive aimed at Iranian nuclear facilities, military leaders, and scientists, which reportedly resulted in considerable damage and loss of life.

In retaliation, Iran launched approximately 200 ballistic missiles and drones toward Israel in successive waves, prompting air raid sirens and emergency shelter protocols in cities such as Tel Aviv. The ensuing chaos not only led to civilian casualties but also created a perilous environment for air traffic, forcing Ben Gurion Airport to suspend or limit its operations.

The conflict's repercussions quickly spread across the region, impacting airlines operating in Dubai, Doha, Sharjah, and Istanbul. Increased risks of airspace intrusions and the potential for misidentification by military radar created significant pressure for airlines to cancel or reroute flights. Countries like Qatar, Turkey, and the UAE, while not directly involved in the conflict, found themselves vulnerable due to their proximity and status as major aviation hubs.

In addition to physical threats, airspace closures and logistical challenges—including the repositioning of aircraft and crew shortages—compounded the operational impact. Airlines such as Emirates, Qatar Airways, FlyDubai, United, Delta, and Saudia had no choice but to preemptively cancel flights or implement major delays to safeguard passengers and crew members.

Aviation regulators and defense agencies issued warnings and no-fly advisories for certain air corridors, further diminishing safe routing options. Consequently, what began as a localized military conflict evolved into one of the most significant aviation disruptions in the region this year, leaving many passengers stranded and airline operations fractured.

With tensions remaining high and both nations signaling potential further military action, these disruptions are likely to persist or even escalate in the coming days.

Conflict Fallout and Airspace Concerns

The current flight disruptions are unfolding amid one of the most dangerous escalations in the Middle East in recent history. Israel's military actions targeted Iranian nuclear capabilities, while Iran's response involved a concerted missile assault. Air raid sirens rang out across multiple Israeli cities, prompting a temporary grounding of civilian flights.

U.S. military forces have assisted Israel in intercepting some missile threats, yet the situation has compelled precautionary measures from aviation authorities throughout the region. Airlines have rerouted flights away from potential conflict zones, leading to widespread scheduling chaos.

Carriers operating through major regional hubs like Dubai, Doha, and Istanbul have faced severe disruptions to long-haul connections, particularly those connecting to Asia, Europe, and North America. Airlines, including Delta, United, Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Saudia, either paused services or made significant network adjustments over the weekend.

Economic Impact: Oil Prices and Tourism Concerns

In conjunction with the aviation disruptions, oil prices surged by 7% in global markets, driven by concerns that the conflict could extend into the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil transit artery. The situation has raised alarms within the global tourism sector, especially with the summer travel season in full swing.

With over 500 flights cancelled or delayed, travelers across the Middle East are now bracing for ripple effects that may linger for days or even weeks. Airlines are striving to rebook passengers and redirect aircraft, but ongoing security uncertainties could lead to additional suspensions or timetable adjustments.

Airlines and Airports Affected

Here’s a detailed overview of the airlines impacted across the region:

Ben Gurion International Airport (Israel)

• Total Flights Cancelled: 53
• Total Flights Delayed: 0
• Airlines Affected:
  • FlyDubai: 10 cancellations (62% of flights)
  • Aegean Airlines: 8 cancellations (50%)
  • Israir: 7 cancellations
  • United Airlines: 5 cancellations
  • KLM: All flights cancelled
  • Delta Air Lines: All flights cancelled
  • El Al: Total cancellations on select routes
  • Cyprus Airways: Total cancellations on select routes

Dubai International Airport (UAE)

• Total Flights Cancelled: 85
• Total Flights Delayed: 184
• Airlines Affected:
  • FlyDubai: 62 cancellations, 57 delays
  • Emirates: 16 cancellations, 86 delays
  • Air India: Various delays
  • Air India Express: Various delays
  • SpiceJet: Various delays
  • Royal Jordanian: Various delays
  • Mahan Air: 2 cancellations
  • Syrian Arab Airlines: 1 cancellation

Hamad International Airport (Qatar)

• Total Flights Cancelled: 22
• Total Flights Delayed: 83
• Airlines Affected:
  • Qatar Airways: 22 cancellations, 74 delays
  • Finnair: Minor delays
  • China Southern Airlines: Minor delays
  • Jazeera Airways: Minor delays
  • Royal Jordanian: Minor delays

Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (Turkey)

• Total Flights Cancelled: 15
• Total Flights Delayed: 53
• Airlines Affected:
  • Pegasus Airlines: 15 cancellations, 34 delays
  • Turkish Airlines: 10 delays
  • Smart Lynx: 1 delay
  • Flynas: 1 delay

Summary of Disruptions

• Dubai International (UAE): 269 disruptions
• Hamad International (Qatar): 105 disruptions
• Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen (Turkey): 68 disruptions
• Sharjah International (UAE): 57 disruptions
• Ben Gurion (Israel): 53 cancellations

In summary, the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran has led to a significant surge in flight cancellations and delays, with over 552 flights affected across the Middle East. Travelers now face a volatile environment for air travel, as major airlines scramble to adjust their schedules amid escalating tensions. International aviation authorities are closely monitoring the situation, anticipating further disruptions as military operations continue.