Overview
- Major Gulf airlines began cancelling and suspending routes on Monday, with Kuwait and Bahrain the worst hit and some services to Saudi Arabia also affected.
- Etihad extended cancellations of AUH–KWI flights EY653 and EY654 through July 24 and Emirates cancelled multiple Dubai–Kuwait services while several other carriers adjusted schedules.
- Kuwait International Airport temporarily halted take‑offs and landings after its air defences intercepted hostile drones and Bahrain activated warning sirens, though limited operations have been resuming.
- The U.S. State Department issued a worldwide travel advisory and the EU Aviation Safety Agency reinstated guidance advising airlines to avoid parts of Gulf airspace because of missile, drone and military activity.
- Passengers should expect short‑notice changes, use rebooking or refund options, keep contact details current, and monitor airline and embassy alerts as the months‑long regional crisis keeps aviation recovery fragile.