Airlines Suspend Flights Amid Middle East Airspace Closure
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 28 2026
0mins
Source: CNBC
- Flight Suspensions: Following the U.S. and Israel's military operation in Iran, a large swath of airspace in the Middle East was closed, leading Qatar Airways and Emirates to suspend flights to Tel Aviv, Dubai, and Doha, significantly disrupting travel plans for many passengers.
- Safety First: Emirates stated that the safety of passengers and crew is their highest priority, offering assistance with rebooking, refunds, or alternative travel arrangements for affected customers, highlighting their commitment to customer service amidst crisis.
- Flight Adjustments: Air India and Lufthansa Group also announced the suspension of flights to the Middle East, with Lufthansa planning to reassess its flight operations until March 7, indicating a strong focus on safety in light of the evolving situation.
- Increased Fuel Costs: The airspace closures necessitate longer flight routes for airlines, resulting in higher fuel consumption, which could negatively impact operational costs and potentially lead to increased ticket prices and reduced profitability in the future.
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Analyst Views on UAL
Wall Street analysts forecast UAL stock price to rise
16 Analyst Rating
15 Buy
1 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 95.080
Low
115.00
Averages
139.07
High
156.00
Current: 95.080
Low
115.00
Averages
139.07
High
156.00
About UAL
United Airlines Holdings, Inc. is a holding company. The Company transports people and cargo throughout North America and to destinations in Asia, Europe, Africa, the Pacific, the Middle East and Latin America. The Company, through United Airlines, Inc., and its regional carriers, operates across six continents, with hubs at Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), Denver International Airport (DEN), George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and A.B. Won Pat International Airport (GUM). Its hub and spoke system allow it to transport passengers between a large number of destinations with frequent services. The Company has contractual relationships with various regional carriers to provide regional aircraft service branded as United Express. It provides freight and mail transportation services (Air Cargo).
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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