London Airports Face Major Disruption Following Middle East Military Escalation
Heathrow Airport has confirmed multiple flight cancellations and delays in response to US President Donald Trump's announcement of "major combat operations" in Iran. The military action, conducted jointly with Israel in the early hours of Saturday morning, has triggered retaliatory attacks on American bases across the region and prompted immediate airspace closures.
Airline Suspensions and Passenger Warnings
British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Qatar Airways, and Wizz Air have all suspended selected services, with Gatwick Airport warning passengers about expected disruptions to Qatar and Emirates flights. A Heathrow spokesperson stated: "Due to the ongoing situation in the Middle East and resulting airspace closures in the region, a small number of flights at Heathrow have been cancelled or delayed."
Passengers are being strongly advised to check directly with their airlines for the latest flight information, as the situation continues to evolve rapidly. A Gatwick Airport representative emphasized: "This is a fast-moving situation, and we are expecting disruption to our Qatar and Emirates flights."
Specific Flight Cancellations and Route Suspensions
British Airways has suspended flights to Tel Aviv and Bahrain until at least March 3, while cancelling Saturday's service to Amman. The airline confirmed that a Heathrow-to-Doha flight returned to London just three hours after departure overnight.
Virgin Atlantic has cancelled its VS400 service from Heathrow to Dubai on Saturday, citing precautionary measures due to airspace avoidance over Iraq. The airline stated: "The safety and security of our customers and people is always our top priority."
Qatar Airways has temporarily suspended all flights to and from Doha following the closure of Qatari airspace. The airline anticipates further delays once operations resume, noting they are working with authorities to support impacted passengers.
Wizz Air has suspended flights between Luton Airport and Tel Aviv until March 7, with ongoing monitoring of the developing situation.
Foreign Office Travel Advisory Updates
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has updated its travel advice to warn against all travel to Israel and Palestine. British nationals in Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Kuwait are being instructed to "immediately shelter in place."
The official advisory states: "Due to the threat posed by escalation in the region, we recommend against all travel to Israel and Palestine. Remain indoors in a secure location, avoid all travel and follow instructions from local authorities."
British citizens throughout the Middle East are urged to take sensible precautions, including staying away from military facilities and ensuring travel documents remain current.
Ongoing Monitoring and Future Implications
Airlines continue to monitor developments closely, maintaining contact with international authorities and aviation safety agencies. Operational decisions are being reviewed continuously, with flight schedules expected to undergo further adjustments as the geopolitical situation evolves.
The disruption highlights the immediate impact of international conflicts on global aviation networks, particularly affecting major transportation hubs like London's Heathrow and Gatwick airports.
