4:48
- travel
- March 4, 2026
Travel updates for Americans in the Middle East
Officials say over 17,000 U.S. citizens have returned from the Middle East.
4:48
Travelers should be sure to check the State Department Travel Information Page for details and entry requirements and enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, or STEP, for safety updates and information on how to get help in an emergency from the embassy or consulate.
As of Tuesday morning local time, Kuwait and Qatar have been designated as level 3 advisories to \"reconsider travel.\"
Bahrain has upgraded from a level 2, which means \"exercise increased caution,\" to a level 3.
Israel remains at a level 3, but the authorized departure of non-emergency employees and ongoing shelter-in-place orders for embassy staffers mean resources for Americans may be reduced.
Per the State Department's Worldwide Caution alert issued Feb. 28, Americans \"may experience travel disruptions due to periodic airspace closures\" in the Middle East.
In a security alert for Iran released Monday, the State Department advised Americans to shelter-in-place, but also said that \"if safe to do so, Americans should leave Iran now by land.\"
![\"PHOTO:](\"http://a.abcnews.com/images/GMA/iraq-airport-gty-gmh-260302_1772479748688_hpEmbed_3x2_384.jpg\")
\"Be aware the Iranian government may restrict or prevent departures from Iran. U.S.-Iranian dual nationals must exit Iran on Iranian passports,\" the alert stated.
The State Department also provided information on the current status of various border crossings, directing American nationals to a crossing into Armenia and various Turkish land crossings.
The confirmed disruptions across multiple countries and major travel corridors have set the stage for continued delays and complications for travelers and carriers throughout the region.
El Al announced Tuesday on X that as the airspace and Ben Gurion Airport gradually reopens, the carrier will begin operations to return customers to Israel.
Delta has paused flights between John F. Kennedy Airport in New York and Tel Aviv through March 22 \"in response to the ongoing conflict in the region,\" the airline said.
Dubai-based Emirates announced that it would begin operating a limited number of flights on Monday evening.
Dubai-based Emirates announced Wednesday that flights to and from Dubai will remain suspended through 23:59 hrs UAE time, 2:59 p.m. ET on March 7, due to airspace closures across the region. The airline is operating a limited number of passenger repatriation and freighter flights on Wednesday.
Emirates will begin operating a limited number of flights commencing on the evening of 2 March.
— Emirates Support (@EmiratesSupport) March 2, 2026
We are accommodating customers with earlier bookings as a priority, and those who have been rebooked to travel on these limited flights will be contacted directly by Emirates.
Please… pic.twitter.com/YATNz5gSdh
\"We are accommodating customers with earlier bookings as a priority on these limited flights. Customers transiting in Dubai will only be accepted for travel if their connecting flight is operating,\" the airline stated. \"Please do not go to the airport unless you have been notified. All other flights remain suspended until further notice.\"
Updates will be published on the Emirates website and its official social media channels.
American Airlines expects to resume flights from Philadelphia to Doha, Qatar on March 10, the airline confirmed to ABC News. Doha return flights to Philadelphia will be scheduled to leave two days later and the airline extended its travel waiver through March 15.
Etihad Airways was the first commercial flight from Abu Dhabi to take off on Monday morning, traveling to London after airlines previously suspended operations over the weekend.
An advisory was initially in place that warned pilots in the United Arab Emirates to exercise caution due to \"escalated security action\" and adhere to air traffic controllers' instructions.
Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi partially resumed operations on Monday and said in a post on X that \"Passengers are advised to check with their airlines for updates on flight schedules prior to traveling to the airport.\"
Sharjah Airport in the UAE resumed partial operations on Monday night, the Sharjah Airport Authority (SAA) announced the limited resumption of flight operations under a \"defined operational schedule and in close coordination with airlines and the relevant authorities.\"
![\"PHOTO:](\"http://a.abcnews.com/images/GMA/jfk-rt-gmh-260302_1772480169015_hpEmbed_3x2_384.jpg\")
Qatar Airways said in an update on Wednesday that flight operations remain temporarily suspended due to the closure of Qatari airspace.
The carrier said it will \"resume operations once the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority announces the safe reopening of Qatari airspace,\" noting that a further update will be provided on Tuesday.
ABC News confirmed that United Airlines has canceled flights departing the U.S. to Tel Aviv and Dubai through March 11, as well as their corresponding returns.
United has issued a travel waiver to customers with travel in the affected region so passengers can change their itineraries without cost.
Some airspace closures have been extended through the following dates and times and it is likely that these will continue to be extended, ABC News confirmed.
Airspace was closed in Israel, Iran, Iraq, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Syria and Jordan as of Wednesday afternoon, according to the FAA.
ABC News' Ayesha Ali, Clara McMichael, and Shannon Kingston contributed to this report.
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