Global air routes across the Middle East remain heavily disrupted due to airspace closures and safety concerns linked to the ongoing war in Iran.
Manchester Airport is among those affected, with long‑haul connections to Gulf hubs bearing the brunt of today’s cancellations.
More than 140,000 Britons in the wider region have registered for updates with the UK government as they attempt to return home via increasingly limited routes.
Etihad Airways has announced it is restarting a limited commercial schedule from today, March 6, including services between Abu Dhabi and Manchester, Heathrow and Dublin, but stresses that all operations remain subject to airspace approvals and can change at short notice.
Officials and airlines are urging passengers not to travel to the airport unless they have a confirmed booking and have received direct communication from their carrier.
Cancelled arrivals at Manchester today
Manchester Airport has confirmed that six inbound flights from Gulf and nearby hubs are cancelled today. These are:
- 6.35am – Bahrain – flight GF005 – Gulf Air – cancelled.
- 7.05am – Doha – flight QR025 – Qatar Airways – cancelled.
- 11.15am – Dubai – flight EK017 – Emirates – cancelled.
- 12.20pm – Doha – flight QR027 – Qatar Airways – cancelled.
- 5.55pm – Abu Dhabi – flight EY075 – Etihad Airways – cancelled.
- 7.40pm – Doha – flight QR023 – Qatar Airways – cancelled.
These cancellations reflect the ongoing grounding or curtailment of services from major Gulf carriers as they navigate conflict‑affected airspace.
Cancelled departures from Manchester today
A further eight outbound flights from Manchester to the Middle East are cancelled today. The full list is:
- 7.45am – Doha – flight QR022 – Qatar Airways – cancelled.
- 8.25am – Abu Dhabi – flight EY078 – Etihad Airways – cancelled.
- 8.50am – Doha – flight QR026 – Qatar Airways – cancelled.
- 10.15am – Bahrain – flight GF004 – Gulf Air – cancelled.
- 1.15pm – Dubai – flight EK018 – Emirates – cancelled.
- 2.05pm – Doha – flight QR028 – Qatar Airways – cancelled.
- 7.55pm – Abu Dhabi – flight EY076 – Etihad Airways – cancelled.
- 9.30pm – Doha – flight QR024 – Qatar Airways – cancelled.
Together, these amount to 14 cancellations, mirroring patterns seen earlier in the week as Manchester‑Middle East links continue to be cut back day by day.
What airlines and government are saying
The UK government has begun operating charter flights alongside commercial services to bring British nationals home from the wider region.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said more than 4,000 people have already flown back on commercial services from the UAE, with further government‑chartered flights and extra British Airways services planned in the coming days to speed up the airlift.
Etihad says it will run a reduced schedule from Abu Dhabi to selected cities, including Manchester, between March 6 and March 19, but warns that not all destinations will operate daily and that flights may still be adjusted if airspace rules change. Emirates, Qatar Airways and other Gulf carriers have also been cancelling and rerouting services to and from UK airports, including Manchester, as they respond to regional restrictions.
Advice for travellers using Manchester Airport
Passengers due to fly to or via the Middle East are being urged to check their flight status directly with their airline or tour operator before setting off for the airport. Many carriers are asking customers not to turn up at the terminal unless they hold a confirmed booking on an operating service and have been contacted about their flight.
If your flight is cancelled, you may be entitled to rebooking, a refund or support under airline policies and, in some cases, UK compensation rules depending on the circumstances.
Travellers are also being advised to review travel insurance, keep receipts for any extra costs, and monitor Foreign Office and airline channels for rapid changes to the situation.