Johannesburg – The Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has advised travellers scheduled to depart from South Africa for the Middle East and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) “not to proceed to the airport”.
In a terse statement on Sunday, 1 March 2026, ACSA said it notes ongoing global flight disruptions due to the evolving situation in the Middle East and the continued closure of UAE airspace.
The escalating conflict in the Middle East, triggered by U.S. and Israeli military strikes on Iran that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has caused widespread flight disruptions across the region as multiple countries—including Iran, Israel, Iraq, Jordan, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates—closed their airspace.
Major aviation hubs such as Dubai International, Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International, and Doha’s Hamad International remain shut or severely restricted, leading to thousands of cancellations on Sunday.
“Travellers scheduled to depart from South African airports to the Middle East and UAE are advised not to proceed to airport precincts until they have confirmed their flight status with their respective airline,” the statement said.
ACSA said South African citizens stranded in affected areas should contact the Department
of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) or the nearest South African
mission:
Tel: +27 12 351 1000
Email: CICC@dirco.gov.za
Or contact the nearest South African mission
For rebooking and assistance, customers may contact:
• Emirates – www.emirates.com | +971 600 555 555
• Qatar Airways – www.qatarairways.com | +974 4144 5555 or +44 3309
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