Flights between the UK and the Middle East continue to face disruption as the Iran war impacts global air travel, with several Manchester Airport flights cancelled on Friday (6 March).
At least 14 flights were cancelled at Manchester Airport, affecting routes to major hubs including Dubai, Doha, Bahrain and Abu Dhabi. The disruption follows escalating conflict in Iran that has forced airlines to reroute or suspend services across the region.
Airport officials and airlines have urged passengers to check their flight status before travelling, as both arrivals and departures remain uncertain.
The cancellations also come as more than 140,000 Britons currently in the Middle East have registered with the UK government for travel updates.
Why are Manchester Airport flights cancelled due to the Iran war?
Airlines cancelled several flights because the conflict around Iran has disrupted safe air corridors across parts of the Middle East. Aviation authorities and airlines have introduced safety restrictions and route changes, which have reduced available flight capacity.
These restrictions affect long-haul routes connecting the UK to Gulf hubs, which normally serve as key transit points for international travel.
Security experts say airlines must avoid certain airspace when geopolitical tensions rise. This forces aircraft to take longer routes or cancel flights altogether.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: “More than 4,000 people have now arrived back in the United Kingdom on commercial flights from the UAE, including vulnerable Brits identified by our teams.
A further seven flights are due to leave the UAE for the UK today… and our first charter flight from Oman has just taken off. We will lay on additional charter flights in the coming days. This is a huge undertaking.”
Which Manchester Airport flights were cancelled on 6 March?
Airlines cancelled six inbound flights and eight departures at Manchester Airport on Friday.
Cancelled inbound flights
| Route | Flight Number | Airline | Scheduled Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bahrain → Manchester | GF005 | Gulf Air | 6:35am |
| Doha → Manchester | QR025 | Qatar Airways | 7:05am |
| Dubai → Manchester | EK017 | Emirates | 11:15am |
| Doha → Manchester | QR027 | Qatar Airways | 12:20pm |
| Abu Dhabi → Manchester | EY075 | Etihad Airways | 5:55pm |
| Doha → Manchester | QR023 | Qatar Airways | 7:40pm |
Cancelled departures
| Route | Flight Number | Airline | Scheduled Departure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester → Doha | QR022 | Qatar Airways | 7:45am |
| Manchester → Abu Dhabi | EY078 | Etihad Airways | 8:25am |
| Manchester → Doha | QR026 | Qatar Airways | 8:50am |
| Manchester → Bahrain | GF004 | Gulf Air | 10:15am |
| Manchester → Dubai | EK018 | Emirates | 1:15pm |
| Manchester → Doha | QR028 | Qatar Airways | 2:05pm |
| Manchester → Abu Dhabi | EY076 | Etihad Airways | 7:55pm |
| Manchester → Doha | QR024 | Qatar Airways | 9:30pm |
Airport authorities said eight flights were already cancelled on Thursday, meaning the disruption has continued for a second consecutive day.
Are airlines resuming any flights between the UK and the Middle East?
Some airlines are gradually restoring limited services. Etihad Airways announced it will resume a restricted commercial flight schedule until 19 March, including routes between Abu Dhabi and Manchester, Dublin, and London Heathrow.
However, the airline warned that operational limitations and airspace restrictions may still cause delays or cancellations.
Airlines across the region are closely monitoring the security situation before restoring normal operations.
How is the UK government helping Britons stranded in the Middle East?
The UK government has begun organising evacuation and assisted flights for British nationals affected by the crisis.
Officials confirmed:
- Over 4,000 Britons have returned to the UK on commercial flights from the UAE
- More than 140,000 British citizens in the region have registered for travel updates
- The first government-chartered evacuation flight landed at Stansted Airport shortly before 1am on Friday
- Additional charter flights from Oman and nearby countries are expected
The Foreign Office says it will continue working with airlines such as British Airways to increase evacuation capacity.
What should passengers travelling from Manchester Airport do?
Travel experts advise passengers with Middle East routes to take several precautions:
- Check flight status directly with the airline before leaving home
- Monitor airline apps and email alerts for schedule changes
- Arrive early if flights are operating due to possible security checks
- Keep travel insurance documents accessible
Manchester Airport also recommends passengers follow official airline guidance rather than relying solely on airport departure boards.
