How the Iran War is Affecting Global Travel

A coordinated US-Israeli military offensive dubbed "Operation Epic Fury" struck Iran on February 28, killing the country's ruler Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The conflict has rapidly escalated, affecting at least 14 nations and prompting unprecedented travel disruptions across the Middle East and beyond.

The retaliation has been both swift and geographically extensive. Iranian counter-strikes have targeted not only expected locations like Israel but also economic hubs previously considered safe havens, including Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the UAE and Doha in Qatar. Dubai International Airport, the world's busiest for international travel, sustained damage from drone debris and was forced to close for three consecutive days, stranding hundreds of thousands of passengers. A projectile strike on Dubai's Fairmont The Palm hotel, captured on social media, underscored the conflict's reach into civilian areas.

Dr. John Rose, Chief Risk Advisor at ALTOUR, noted that the UAE attacks "surprised me and a lot of others," given Dubai's status as a major tourist destination attracting nearly 20 million visitors in 2025. The US State Department has issued sweeping directives for American nationals to "depart now" from 14 Middle Eastern countries, while the UK has begun organizing evacuation flights from Oman and the UAE. Airspace closures, shelter-in-place orders, and the highest-level travel advisories are now in effect across much of the region, with the situation evolving hourly.