- Title: Middle East flight suspensions leave Heathrow check‑in desks deserted
- Date: 2nd March 2026
- Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (MARCH 2, 2026) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF EMPTY QATAR AIRWAYS CHECK-IN DESKS VARIOUS OF CANCELLED FLIGHTS ON DEPARTURE BOARD VARIOUS OF ETIHAD AIRWAYS CHECK-IN DESK WITH SIGN ABOUT DISRUPTION EMIRATES CHECK-IN AREA WITH STAFF BUT NO CUSTOMERS EMPTY EMIRATES CHECK IN DESK EMIRATES SIGN FOR TICKET ENQUIRIES CUSTOMERS SPEAKING TO EMIRATES STAFF EMPT
- Embargoed:
- Keywords: Airport Cancelled Flights Heathrow Iran Middle East Travel U.S.
- Location: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM
- City: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM
- Country: UK
- Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace,Europe
- Reuters ID: LVA001009502032026RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Check-in desks of Middle East carriers at London’s Heathrow Airport were deserted on Monday (March 2) after Israeli and U.S. attacks on Iran and Tehran's military response forced the closure of airspace.
On Monday morning, key airport hubs including Dubai and Doha were closed for a third day, stranding tens of thousands of passengers worldwide and disrupting thousands of flights.
British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Emirates, as well as other airlines, had all cancelled their flights from London to Dubai.
Abu Dhabi carrier Etihad Airways resumed some limited flight operations on Monday, the airline told Reuters, as global airlines including Middle East carriers adapt to the disruption caused by the escalating Iranian conflict since Saturday.
The airline's website showed several flights had departed from Abu Dhabi's Zayed International Airport on Monday for destinations that included London, Paris, Moscow, and Amsterdam. It also showed more flights scheduled for Jeddah and Kochi, among others.
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