Middle East Conflict Causes Major Flight Disruption at Birmingham Airport, New Data Shows
New analysis shows the ongoing crisis in the Middle East has sharply disrupted services to and from Birmingham Airport, with dozens of delays and cancellations recorded and specific flights to Doha grounded on Monday.
AirHelp Analysis Shows Spike In Disruptions
Travel technology firm AirHelp found that 96% of flights between Birmingham Airport and key Middle Eastern hubs were disrupted between February 28 and March 8, including both delays and cancellations. That is a marked rise from the same period in 2025, when 24% of flights on the same routes were disrupted.
The analysis also highlighted wider UK impacts: 90% of flights travelling from the Middle East to the UK were disrupted during the period, compared with 8% the prior year. Cancellations rose dramatically in the AirHelp data, increasing from 1% in 2025 to 71% in 2026.
Tomasz Pawliszyn, CEO of AirHelp, said: “Conflict-driven disruption in the Middle East is having a significant impact on UK travellers, with thousands facing sudden delays and cancellations across some of the region’s most popular hubs. ” He added that while conflict-related disruption is classed as an extraordinary circumstance and does not entitle travellers to compensation, understanding passenger rights remains essential.
Flights Cancelled At Birmingham Airport As Gulf Airspace Remains Closed
More Birmingham Airport flights were cancelled on Monday as the Gulf crisis continued. The airport has been forced to ground some services while airspace in the Middle East remains closed, with popular carriers including Emirates and Qatar Airways affected.
Listed cancellations at Birmingham Airport on Monday included:
- 14: 10 Doha Hamad – QR 034, Qatar Airways
- 12: 40 Doha Hamad – QR 033, Qatar Airways
The disruption comes as airlines face restricted airspace and altered operations across the region. The ongoing closures have led to grounded services and route suspensions that continue to affect travellers planning to fly to or from Birmingham.
Broader UK Disruption And Responses From Airlines
Elsewhere in the UK, flights between Manchester Airport and the Middle East were also impacted. Flight-tracking data showed hundreds of cancellations globally on one day and more on the following day, and some carriers have adjusted services amid the airspace restrictions.
Qatar Airways has said it will resume operations once the relevant civil aviation authority announces the safe full reopening of Qatari airspace. Gulf Air has suspended flights to and from Bahrain while that airspace remains closed, with Bahrain Airport stating the measure is in place to ensure the highest level of safety for passengers and employees. Some Emirates and Etihad services were noted as still operating amid the disruption.
As disruption continues, travellers are advised to check with their airline about the status of flights and any assistance available for affected journeys.
