Emirates (EK), Etihad Airways (EY), Qatar Airways (QR), El Al (LY), and Saudia (SV) have 33 widebody aircraft stranded across 13 airports in the United States and Canada due to sweeping Middle East airspace closures.

Key transit hubs, including Dubai International Airport (DXB), Hamad International Airport, Doha (DOH), and Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH), have suspended operations.

The disruption follows US and Israeli air and missile strikes on Iran, triggering the closure of airspace over Iran, Iraq, Israel, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Syria. As a result, aircraft operating long-haul routes between North America and the Gulf region remain grounded, with passengers and crew awaiting clearance.

33 Widebody Jets Stranded Across North America

A total of 33 aircraft are currently unable to depart from 13 airports across the United States and Canada. These aircraft primarily belong to the three largest Gulf carriers, Emirates (EK), Etihad Airways (EY), and Qatar Airways (QR). El Al (LY) and Saudia (SV) also have aircraft affected, Simple Flying reported.

The grounded fleet includes Airbus A380s, Airbus A350 variants, Boeing 777 models including passenger and freighter versions, Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, and a Qatar Executive Gulfstream G700. These aircraft were operating scheduled transatlantic and transpacific services to Gulf hubs when airspace closures took effect.

Qatar Airways (QR) accounts for the largest share of grounded aircraft, including multiple Boeing 777-300ERs, 777-200LRs, and Airbus A350 variants. Emirates (EK) has several Airbus A380-861 aircraft and Boeing 777-300ERs positioned at major US gateways such as JFK, LAX, IAD, BOS, MCO, YUL, and YYZ. Etihad Airways (EY) has both Boeing 787-9 and Airbus A350-1000 aircraft grounded.

El Al (LY) has four Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners awaiting approval to depart from Newark (EWR), New York (JFK), and Los Angeles (LAX). Saudia (SV) has one Boeing 787-9 positioned at Toronto Pearson (YYZ). Qatar Cargo (QR) and Qatar Executive (QE) also have aircraft stranded in Houston (IAH) and San Francisco (SFO), respectively.

Regional Airspace Closures Disrupt Global Transit

Airspace is closed over Iran, Iraq, Israel, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Syria. Major Gulf hubs, including Dubai (DXB), Doha (DOH), Abu Dhabi (AUH), and Tel Aviv (TLV), have suspended operations until further notice.

Drone and missile strikes were reported near Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) and Dubai International Airport (DXB). Casualties and injuries were confirmed locally. In response, civil aviation authorities halted departures and arrivals across the affected region.

Between Saturday and Sunday alone, more than 3,200 flights to and from the region were canceled. Gulf connections remain unavailable, leaving thousands of passengers stranded at transit hubs worldwide, including Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) and London Heathrow Airport (LHR).

Operational Impact on Long Haul Networks

Widebody aircraft operating routes between North America and the Gulf typically rely on Middle East hubs for onward connections to South Asia, Southeast Asia, Africa, and Australasia. With transit airports closed, inbound aircraft have no approved routings back to base.

Some carriers with sufficient range capability are rerouting flights via southern or northern corridors to avoid restricted airspace. These detours add an estimated one to three hours to flight times, increasing fuel burn and crew duty considerations. However, not all aircraft can be repositioned immediately due to airspace and regulatory constraints.

Cargo operations are also affected. Qatar Cargo’s Boeing 777F at Houston (IAH) remains grounded pending clearance. Business aviation movements, including Qatar Executive’s Gulfstream G700 at San Francisco (SFO), face similar restrictions.

Source: aviationa2z