Airspace Closures Widen as Regional Conflict Escalates, Etihad Grounds Flights

Etihad Airways has suspended all flights to and from its Abu Dhabi hub until at least 2:00 AM local time on Monday, March 2, 2026. The airline announced the grounding on social media, citing the ongoing closure of regional airspace.

The move comes amid a sharp escalation in military action across the Middle East. The initial strikes were launched by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) against targets in Tehran late Saturday. Iranian state media reported at least five explosions in the capital, with projectiles hitting the Daneshgah and Jomhouri areas. Video from the scene showed plumes of smoke rising over the city as civilians ran for shelter.

An anonymous Israeli defense official stated the operation, codenamed "Lion's Roar," had been planned for months and targeted several ministry buildings in southern Tehran. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps confirmed military and administrative sites in Tehran and other cities were struck.

In response, U.S. President Donald Trump announced Washington had begun a large-scale operation against Tehran, dubbed "Epic Fury." Iranian forces then launched retaliatory missile strikes at four U.S. bases in the region, located in Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE, and Bahrain. A statement from Tehran vowed to continue its counter-attacks until achieving what it termed the "complete defeat" of the U.S. and Israel.

The rapidly expanding conflict has thrown regional travel into disarray, with Etihad becoming the latest major carrier to halt operations. No timeline for a resumption of services has been provided.