The closure of United Arab Emirates airspace has caused significant flight disruptions affecting passengers travelling through South African airports, the Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) confirmed.
The disruptions have mainly affected flights operated by Emirates and Qatar Airways.
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ACSA said in a statement on Sunday that the closure was already impacting scheduled services at several major airports.
“Airports Company South Africa confirms that the current closure of UAE airspace is affecting flights operated by Emirates and Qatar Airways thus far,” the company said.
According to ACSA, flight cancellations have been recorded at major South African airports.
At OR Tambo International Airport, there were eight cancellations — seven outbound flights and one inbound flight.
Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) confirms that the current closure of UAE airspace is affecting flights operated by Emirates and Qatar Airways thus far.
Current Flight Disruptions:
• O.R. Tambo International (JNB): 8 cancellations (7 outbound and 1 inbound).
• Cape Town… pic.twitter.com/qIAcxxky9A— Airports Company SA (@Airports_ZA) March 1, 2026
At Cape Town International Airport, four outbound flights were cancelled, while two outbound flights were cancelled at King Shaka International Airport.
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Passengers were urged to stay in contact with their airlines or diplomatic missions for updated travel information.
“Passengers are strongly advised to contact their airlines or relevant embassies directly for the latest flight schedules and status updates,” ACSA said.
The aviation authority also reassured travellers that safety remains the top priority amid the regional tensions.
“ACSA remains committed to the safety of all travellers, and our thoughts are with those impacted by these disruptions,” the statement read.
The airspace closures follow escalating military tensions in the Middle East, which have led several countries to restrict or suspend flight operations as security concerns mount.
Airspaces are closed Mam. It’s impossible to move in or out of those countries. We are in touch with South Africans using various comms platforms. Our systems do work. Every country’s diplomatic mission have evacuations plans. Various interventions & options are being explored. https://t.co/72ZrfdWvEb
— Clayson Monyela (@ClaysonMonyela) March 1, 2026
US President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that the United States had launched “major combat operations” against Iran, shortly after Israel confirmed it had carried out missile strikes on Iranian targets.
Trump said the US attacks were intended to destroy Iran’s missile capabilities and cripple its navy, following repeated warnings from Washington and Tel Aviv that military action would follow if Tehran continued advancing its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.
Iran responded with retaliatory strikes targeting Israel and US-linked assets across the Middle East, including in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Iraq.
The escalation triggered widespread airspace closures across the region. Iran, Iraq, Israel, Syria, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates announced partial or full shutdowns of their skies, disrupting flights and leaving thousands of travellers — including passengers travelling to and from South Africa — stranded.
Compiled by Betha Madhomu
First published on African Insider
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