Regional airspace closures trigger diversions and cancellations across major airlines
Heightened tensions in the Middle East have disrupted regional air travel, with Singapore Airlines and Scoot cancelling multiple flights following US and Israeli strikes on Iran.
SIA and Scoot Cancel Six Flights
Singapore Airlines (SIA) cancelled four flights between Singapore and Dubai on Feb 28 and March 1. The affected services were SQ494 (Singapore–Dubai) and SQ495 (Dubai–Singapore) on both days.
Scoot, SIA’s low-cost subsidiary, also cancelled two flights on Feb 28 — TR596 (Singapore–Jeddah) and TR597 (Jeddah–Singapore). The airline advised passengers to update their contact details via the Manage Booking function to receive timely notifications.
Airlines Monitoring Regional Risks
SIA said it will continue to monitor developments in the Middle East and adjust flight paths where necessary. Singapore embassies in the region have also advised Singaporeans to exercise caution amid rising tensions.
The cancellations came as several countries, including Israel, Iran, Iraq and Jordan, reportedly closed their airspace following the strikes, prompting aircraft to reroute away from affected zones.
Malaysia Airlines Diverts Flights
Malaysia Airlines diverted two Middle East-bound flights from Kuala Lumpur on Feb 27 after receiving mid-flight advisories about heightened airspace risks. Flight MH160 to Doha turned back to Kuala Lumpur.
Flight MH156 to Jeddah was diverted to Chennai before eventually returning safely to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). The airline said the actions were taken in line with established conflict-area diversion protocols.
Passenger Assistance and Safety Measures
Malaysia Airlines confirmed that affected passengers were assisted with alternative flight arrangements and hotel accommodation where necessary. Both flights landed safely back at KLIA without incident.
Flight tracking data showed aircraft avoiding affected Middle Eastern airspace, reflecting broader safety precautions across global aviation networks.
Wider Global Impact on Aviation
Other international carriers, including Lufthansa and Air France, have also suspended or cancelled services to parts of the Middle East. The disruptions follow a fresh wave of US-Israel strikes on Iran.
The latest escalation comes after a 12-day air war in June 2025 between Israel and Iran, with Washington previously warning of further action if Tehran advanced its nuclear and missile programmes.
The flight cancellations underscore how quickly geopolitical tensions can disrupt global aviation. As airlines reassess risk exposure in Middle Eastern airspace, travellers may continue to face delays and rerouting in the coming days.
Sources: Mothership (2026) , Straits Times (2026)
Keywords: SIA Dubai Cancellation, Scoot Jeddah Flight, Malaysia Airlines Diversion, Iran Airspace Risk, Global Airline Suspensions
