Emergency Response The Middle East

Middle East Crisis

Following the recent escalation of events in the Middle East, ACS is closely monitoring the evolving situation and is supporting both passenger and cargo charter requests to and from the region.

On 4 March we tracked 87 passenger flights departing Dubai during the departure windows and have estimated the maximum number of passengers on board these flights as around 27,000 in total. This is a small number of the passengers currently stranded.

For customers looking to exit the UAE, the best location for charter evacuation flights is currently Muscat in Oman. Although the situation is evolving rapidly. Riyadh is also an option for those with the necessary visa to enter the country via the land border, although it is further.

For the latest regional airspace status updates and details on aircraft available to support operations along with information regarding border crossings, please see below.

MIDDLE EAST CRISIS EVACUATION FLIGHT

ACS has personnel on the ground in Muscat and is arranging a dedicated evacuation flight from the region to Athens. Passengers will have access to onward travel assistance provided by a dedicated travel specialist to ensure a smooth and supported journey.

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ACS ACTIVITY

ACS has been coordinating multiple evacuation and emergency response flights across the Middle East for commercial, private, and governmental clients. Our teams are actively monitoring regional airspace closures, NOTAMs, and airport operational restrictions to ensure rapid, compliant routing as the situation evolves.

Despite the airspace closures there are options to move cargo into the surrounding region and we are exploring overland transport to cover the last miles to destination (or first miles from origin).

Please find the latest regional airspace updates and aircraft availability outlined below along with border crossing information. This information is reviewed continuously and updated as new information becomes available, but please check with your ACS account manager for the latest information as the situation is evolving rapidly.

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AIRSPACE UPDATES

Below is an overview of regional airspaces and their current status.

Country: Airspace Status: Additional Info: Updated
United Arab Emirates Open The UAE is currently on heightened alert amid reports of missile and drone activity in the wider region. Authorities remain vigilant and response teams are prepared to manage any potential developments. UAE airspace remains open, with flights operating through designated waypoint corridors. However, aircraft may be re-routed at short notice depending on security and air traffic control requirements.
The partial opening of UAE airspace has allowed many charter operators to begin offering availability, primarily from Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Fujairah is also emerging as an alternative option.
It has been reported that Dubai International Airport experienced a temporary 30-minute operational halt on March 7 due to security concerns.		 7 March 26 11:00 UTC
Saudi Arabia Open Saudi Arabia is on high military alert after intercepting multiple Iranian missiles and drones. Three drones were intercepted east of Riyadh on March 6. Riyadh Airport was temporarily closed due to an attack early in March 4, however it has now reopened. Two drones struck the US Embassy in Riyadh on March 3 and air defence systems reportedly destroyed several others.
Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam airports remain open but short notice airspace restrictions or closures are possible if similar attacks persist.
Saudi airspace is currently the only major North-South corridor open in the region, leading to extreme congestion and rerouting of almost all Europe-Asia traffic.		 7 March 26 11:00 UTC
Egypt Open Normal operations continuing but Egypt has raised its military readiness and put airports on high alert, while reinforcing borders in the Sinai and along the Sudan frontier to prevent the spillover of regional conflict.
Its airspace remains a primary southern bypass for international traffic avoiding conflict zones.		 7 March 26 11:00 UTC
Israel Closed There are reports that missiles hit Ben Gurion airport on 6 March. While the Israeli military has not detailed the damage, media reports indicate the airport was a direct target.
Israel is currently engaged in a multi-front war, conducting deep airstrikes across Iran while simultaneously bombing Beirut to counter a major retaliatory rocket and drone offensive from Hezbollah.
Although its airspace remains closed to commercial traffic, Ben Gurion Airport had re-opened for inbound repatriation flights only (1-2 per hour), but it is unclear whether these are continuing following 6 March attacks.
Outgoing passengers must currently use land borders with Jordan and Egypt.		 7 March 26 11:00 UTC
Oman Open Muscat remains open and is the primary regional hub for relief and evacuation flights for the entire Middle East.
Oman has placed its military on high alert due to strikes in the South and on shipping.		 7 March 26 11:00 UTC
Kuwait Closed National airspace remains totally closed following a wave of drone strikes targeting Ali Al-Salem Air Base and Camp Arifjan on the morning of 4 March.
The Al-Nuwaiseeb - Al-Khafji and Al-Salmi - Ar-Ruqi land crossings into Saudi Arabia remain open.		 7 March 26 11:00 UTC
Qatar Closed Qatar remains on high military alert, after its Ministry of Defence successfully intercepted ballistic missiles while strikes hit Al Udeid Air Base and Ras Laffan, resulting in a closure of national airspace to all commercial and non-essential flights.
Hamad International Airport has suspended all commercial operations. Relief flights started on 5 March but are operating from Muscat, Oman and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia rather than Doha. It is reported that limited repatriation flight traffic is being permitted via designated navigational contingency routes as of March 7, though scheduled commercial services remain largely suspended.
Leaving Qatar currently requires traveling by land to Saudi Arabia.		 7 March 26 11:00 UTC
Jordan Open Jordan is on maximum military alert after its air defenses intercepted multiple Iranian missiles violating its airspace, however its airspace has now returned to normal operations.
The Jordanian government has reinforced its borders and is providing emergency assistance to transit passengers stranded by the recent flight cancellations and airspace closures.		 7 March 26 11:00 UTC
Lebanon Open Beirut airport has been operating on a skeletal schedule, however due to nearby bombardment in the southern suburbs on 5-6 March, most commercial flights are being suspended.
The Port of Beirut and sea routes to Cyprus are the primary exit gateways for foreign nationals.		 7 March 26 11:00 UTC
Bahrain Closed Fresh attacks on the morning of 6 March have led to the continued suspension of all aircraft movements. The King Fahd Causeway to Saudi Arabia is fully operational and serves as the primary exit gateway for those seeking to reach Riyadh by land. 7 March 26 11:00 UTC
Iraq Closed All civilian operations at Baghdad, Erbil, and Basra are suspended following strikes on U.S. bases.
The Turkey border at Ibrahim Khalil remains the only open land exit. Iran and Kuwait borders are closed.		 7 March 26 11:00 UTC
Syria Closed Syrian airspace remains closed to all commercial traffic, and operations at all major airports remain suspended following the major regional escalation.
The Syrian government has placed all military units on maximum alert and is coordinating with Iranian-backed militias to bolster defences against further incursions.
Land borders to Lebanon and Jordan are restricted and dangerous due to strikes on crossing points.		 7 March 26 11:00 UTC
Turkiye Open Turkiye has reinforced its southern military presence following the 4 March interception of an Iranian ballistic missile targeted at Turkish airspace.
Its airspace remains fully open and operational. Due to airspace closures in multiple neighbouring countries, more traffic is pushing through routes over Turkiye.
The Turkish government is currently hosting thousands of transit passengers stranded by regional cancellations.
Land borders with Iran and Iraq have emerged as critical exit gateways for foreign nationals escaping the escalation, with Turkish authorities increasing patrols to manage the influx of arrivals from the east.		 7 March 26 11:00 UTC
Iran Closed Iran is under full-scale military assault with major domestic hubs like Mehrabad Airport in Tehran hit by a new wave of airstrikes on the morning of March 7.
Land borders remain under heavy guard, with Turkey and Iraq emerging as the primary exit routes for those able to reach them.		 7 March 26 11:00 UTC
Cyprus Open Heightened security protocols are in place following a drone strike on RAF Akrotiri on 2 March.
Larnaca and Paphos airports are operational but facing major backlogs and cancellations.
Larnaca Port is the critical entry point for sea evacuations from Lebanon.		 7 March 26 11:00 UTC
Yemen Restricted Yemen is facing airstrikes targeting Houthi missile sites in Sana’a and Hodeidah after the group launched a wave of drones and missiles at Israel and Red Sea shipping.
Commercial airports in Houthi-controlled areas have suspended all operations; Red Sea ports are under extreme security alerts with maritime traffic severely disrupted.
Land borders with Saudi Arabia and Oman have emerged as the only restricted exit routes for those able to reach them, though travel remains highly dangerous due to ongoing airstrikes and internal conflict.		 7 March 26 11:00 UTC
Azerbaijan Partially closed A temporary 12-hour closure of southern Azerbaijani airspace was enacted on 5 March following drone incursions; however, current data shows planes are safely utilising northern corridors.
Its "East-West" transit corridor remains critical for international carriers avoiding the closed airspaces of Iran and the wider Middle East.
The military is on combat alert, with additional troops and air defences deployed to the southern border with Iran.		 7 March 26 11:00 UTC

Information current as of 7 March 26 11:00 UTC

BORDER CROSSINGS

Below is an overview of regional land border crossings and their current status.

Border Crossing Crossing location Current Status Intel Reported Visa Information
UAE -
Saudi Arabia		 Al Ghuwaifat -
Al Batha		 Open This is now the highest-volume crossing in the region. Wait times for non-GCC nationals are exceeding 6-8 hours.
Saudi authorities have deployed mobile processing units to handle the influx of travelers seeking flights from Dammam and Riyadh.		 Visitors generally need a pre-approved eVisa (available to citizens of over 60 countries and certain visa/residency holders), and mandatory medical insurance, which can be obtained through the official Saudi eVisa Portal.
No Visa on Arrival at land border.
UAE - Oman Al Ain - Al Buraimi Open Wait times have increased to 3-4 hours. Proof of onward travel and hotel booking are being strictly checked due to the influx of stranded travelers.
It is reported that Omani taxis remain mandatory for the "no-man's-land" transit and that animals are not allowed to cross without microchip and pet passport.
Sharjah have laid on buses to Muscat for people with confirmed Oman air or Salam air flight tickets.
Specific crossing points:
Meyzad (Hafeet): Open; used for all nationalities.
Khatm Al Shikla: Reported as open for both GCC and non-GCC passport holders.
Al Rawdah: Also operational to help relieve pressure on other points.		 Citizens of over 100 countries can enter visa-free for up to 14 days all others or those staying longer must apply for an eVisa through the official Royal Oman Police Portal.
UAE - Oman Hatta - Al Wajajah Restricted Daytime border traffic is reported as very slow due to a surge in travellers following UAE airspace closures. Best time to cross is at around 6am.
As of today, the "Confirmed Flight Only" rule is being enforced with zero exceptions. Omani authorities have established a pre-check buffer zone 5km before the border. If you do not have a printed or digital boarding pass for a flight within 24 hours (shortened from 48), you are turned back immediately to prevent overcrowding at Muscat Airport. Animals are not allowed to cross without microchip and pet passport.
Sharjah have laid on buses to Muscat for people with confirmed Oman air or Salam air flight tickets.		 Citizens of over 100 countries can enter visa-free for up to 14 days all others or those staying longer must apply for an eVisa through the official Royal Oman Police Portal.
UAE - Oman Khatmat Malaha (Kalba, Sharjah) Open This 24/7 crossing is currently open for both passengers and road freight.
Travellers report smooth transit with fewer queues than Hatta, though extra security checks are in place. Animals are not allowed to cross without microchip and pet passport.		 Citizens of over 100 countries can enter visa-free for up to 14 days all others or those staying longer must apply for an eVisa through the official Royal Oman Police Portal.
Bahrain - Saudi Arabia GCC Crossing / King Fahd Causeway Open The causeway is currently operational with increased military presence following 6 March strikes. Traffic is moving normally, however, airspace closures at Bahrain International Airport have increased reliance on this land link. Visitors generally need a pre-approved eVisa (available to citizens of over 60 countries and certain visa/residency holders), and mandatory medical insurance, which can be obtained through the official Saudi eVisa Portal.
No Visa on Arrival at land border.
Qatar - Saudi Arabia Abu Samra - Salwa Open Travel is currently advised only for those with valid documents and confirmed onward plans in Saudi Arabia. Short wait times are reported, but this could change with strikes increasing and nearing Doha.
Journey between Doha and Deman takes 4-4.5 hours.		 Visitors generally need a pre-approved eVisa (available to citizens of over 60 countries and certain visa/residency holders), and mandatory medical insurance, which can be obtained through the official Saudi eVisa Portal.
Israel - Jordan King Hussein (Allenby) Bridge Restricted Jordan has placed all borders on Maximum Military Alert following the interception of multiple missiles over its airspace on 6 March.
This crossing is currently experiencing frequent indefinite closures. Most international travellers are being redirected to the Northern or Southern crossings.
When open, operating hours are reported as 09:00 - 16:00.
Israeli passport holders are strictly prohibited from using this crossing.		 All visitors must obtain a pre-approved visa or Jordan Pass (for eligible nationalities) prior to arrival at the bridge.
No Visa on Arrival at land border.
Israel - Jordan Jordan River (Sheikh Hussein) - Northern Crossing Open Jordan has placed all borders on Maximum Military Alert following the interception of multiple missiles over its airspace on 6 March.
Unlike Allenby, this crossing is open to Israeli passport holders and international tourists.
Currently serving as a relief point for Allenby congestion.		 Visa on Arrival available for non-restricted nationalities and Jordan Pass is accepted for eligible nationalities
Israel - Jordan Yitzhak Rabin (Wadi Araba) - Southern Crossing Open Jordan has placed all borders on Maximum Military Alert following the interception of multiple missiles over its airspace on 6 March.
Currently used as a primary exit route from Eilat due to Israeli airspace closures. Last passenger acceptance is strictly at 19:00.
Heightened security alerts are in place; travelers must monitor the Home Front Command for real-time instructions.		 Visa on Arrival available for non-restricted nationalities and Jordan Pass is accepted for eligible nationalities.
Israel - Egypt Taba Border Crossing Open Currently the sole land gateway to Egypt from Eilat. Following the Shabbat curfew expiry and the continued closure of Ben Gurion Airport, a massive influx of travelers is reported.
Egypt has temporarily suspended the E-visa requirement for those transiting directly to Cairo/Sharm El Sheikh airports to clear the Sinai corridor, but physical processing is slow.		 Most nationalities can get a Sinai-Only Visa (15 days) at the border.
For travel beyond Sinai, a full Tourist Visa must be pre-approved via the Egypt eVisa Portal.
Israel - Egypt Rafah crossing Closed No civilian movement is currently permitted. N/A
Israel - Egypt Kerem Shalom (Karem Abu Salem) Restricted Currently designated strictly for humanitarian aid and commercial goods only. Closed to civilians Entry/exit for international aid workers requires pre-coordinated military permits and COGAT authorisation.
Kuwait - Saudi Arabia Al-Nuwaiseeb -
Al-Khafji		 Open Heavy traffic reported as Kuwaiti nationals and expats use the land bridge to reach Saudi airports due to the total closure of Kuwaiti airspace. Visitors generally need a pre-approved eVisa (available to citizens of over 60 countries and certain visa/residency holders), and mandatory medical insurance, which can be obtained through the official Saudi eVisa Portal.
Kuwait - Saudi Arabia Al-Salmi - Ar-Ruqi Open Serving as the primary alternative to the congested coastal Nuwaiseeb crossing.
Primarily used for transit to Riyadh and Western Saudi Arabia.
Operating 24/7 despite regional alerts.		 Visitors generally need a pre-approved eVisa (available to citizens of over 60 countries and certain visa/residency holders), and mandatory medical insurance, which can be obtained through the official Saudi eVisa Portal.

Information current as of 7 March 26 11:00 UTC

Aircraft Information

The following aircraft are available to support operations.

Aircraft: Type: Passenger No.: Tonnage Volume
Airbus A320 Passenger 180Y N/A N/A
Boeing B738 Passenger 189Y N/A N/A
Airbus A319 Passenger 150Y N/A N/A
Boeing B733 Passenger 144Y N/A N/A
Airbus A321 Passenger 220Y N/A N/A
Boeing B737 VIP Passenger 56C N/A N/A
Airbus A330-200 Passenger 292 (17C, 275Y) N/A N/A
Boeing B767-300ER Passenger 309Y N/A N/A
Gulfstream G-IV Passenger 13-16 N/A N/A
Bombardier Global Express Passenger 10 N/A N/A
Gulfstream G450 Passenger 13 N/A N/A
Embraer Legacy 650 Passenger 14 N/A N/A
Cessna Citation Sovereign Passenger 9 N/A N/A
Bombardier Global Express XRS Passenger 13 N/A N/A
Bombardier Global Express Passenger 13 N/A N/A
Bombardier Global 6000 Passenger 13 N/A N/A
Boeing 747-400F Cargo N/A 120,000 750cbm
Boeing B777-200F Cargo N/A 103,000 550cbm
Airbus A330-200F Cargo N/A 65,000 428cbm
Boeing B767-300F Cargo N/A 55,000 451cbm
Airbus A300-600 Cargo N/A 47,000 380cbm

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