MIDDLE EAST CRISIS
Last updated: 4 March 2026, 16:00 UTC
Following the recent escalation in the Middle East, Horizon Logistics is closely monitoring the evolving situation and is supporting both passenger and cargo charter requests to and from the region.
As of 12:20 UAE time we have tracked only 42 passenger flights departing Dubai and Abu Dhabi during the departure windows and have estimated the maximum number of passengers on board these flights as around 14,000 in total.
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.
HORIZON LOGISTICS ACTIVITY
Horizon Logistics 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 Horizon Logistics 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 recurrent missile and drone activity across the country. Some locations have sustained damage, but government response teams have acted swiftly to manage the situation. Its airspace is currently open but aircraft could be re-routed at any point. Major airports in the UAE have begun reopening, permitting a restricted number of flights operated by select carriers to facilitate passenger departures under specific routing constraints. Muscat in Oman is being used by a number of Horizon logistics clients for evacuations, being reached via the land border at Hatta. Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport in Saudi Arabia is also an option for those able to reach it by land, with the necessary visas. It remains fully operational. | 4 March 26 16:00 UTC |
| Saudi Arabia | Open | Saudi Arabia is on high military alert after intercepting multiple Iranian missiles and drones. 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, and the primary north-south transit routes are experiencing extreme congestion. |
4 March 26 16:00 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. |
4 March 26 6:00 UTC |
| Oman | Open | Muscat remains open and is a critical hub for land-to-air evacuations. Oman has placed its military on high alert due to strikes in the South and on shipping. | 4 March 26 16:00 UTC |
| Kuwait | Closed | National airspace remains totally closed following a wave of over 200 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. |
4 March 26 16:00 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 until at least 6 March. Limited operations (humanitarian or state flights) may occur but no normal passenger service. Officials are assessing the damage and planning repairs with the goal of resuming operations as soon as it's safe. Leaving Qatar currently requires traveling by land to Saudi Arabia. |
4 March 26 16:00 UTC |
| Jordan | Open | Jordan is on maximum military alert after its air defences 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.. |
4 March 26 16:00 UTC |
| Lebanon | Open | Beirut airport is operating on a skeletal schedule due to intensive nearby bombardment. The Port of Beirut and sea routes to Cyprus are the primary exit gateways for foreign nationals. |
4 March 26 16:00 UTC |
| Bahrain | Closed | Bahrain is on high military alert after successfully intercepting missile and drone attacks. Airspace remains officially closed to commercial passenger traffic. 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. |
4 March 26 16:00 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. | 4 March 26 16:00 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. |
4 March 26 16:00 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. |
4 March 26 16:00 UTC |
| Iran | Closed | Iran is under full-scale military assault with airstrikes targeting nuclear sites and Tehran, prompting the regime to launch hundreds of retaliatory missiles at Gulf nations and total closure of all civilian airspace until at least March 7. Land borders remain under heavy guard, with Turkey and Iraq emerging as the primary exit routes for those able to reach them. | 4 March 26 16:00 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. |
4 March 26 16:00 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. |
4 March 26 16:00 UTC |
Last updated: 4 March 2026, 16:00 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 | Border crossing is open but operating under heightened security protocols due to regional tension. | 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 | Significant congestion has been reported. Entry Requirement: Proof of onward travel and hotel booking are being strictly checked due to the influx of stranded travelers. 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 | Open | Border traffic is reported as very slow due to a surge in travellers following UAE airspace closures. Authorities advise against travel without confirmed onward flight tickets from Oman. | 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 | 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 | Despite ongoing regional tensions and reports of a drone strike near Manama on 3 March, the causeway is currently operational. 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. | 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-Nuwaiseeb - Al-Khafji | Open | High congestion reported due to regional airspace closures. A new dedicated lane for "Joint Operations" employees has recently opened to help streamline logistical and staff movement. | 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. |
Last updated: 4 March 2026, 15:30 UTC
AIRCRAFT INFORMATION
The following aircraft are available to support operations.
| Aircraft | Type | Passenger No. |
|---|---|---|
| Airbus A320 | Passenger | 180Y |
| Boeing B738 | Passenger | 189Y |
| Airbus A319 | Passenger | 150Y |
| Boeing B733 | Passenger | 144Y |
| Airbus A321 | Passenger | 220Y |
| Boeing B737 VIP | Passenger | 56C |
| Airbus A330-200 | Passenger | 292 (17C, 275Y) |
| Boeing B767-300ER | Passenger | 309Y |
| Gulfstream G-IV | Passenger | 13-16 |
| Bombardier Global Express | Passenger | 10 |
| Gulfstream G450 | Passenger | 13 |
| Embraer Legacy 650 | Passenger | 14 |
| Cessna Citation Sovereign | Passenger | 9 |
| Bombardier Global Express XRS | Passenger | 13 |
| Bombardier Global Express | Passenger | 13 |
| Bombardier Global 6000 | Passenger | 13 |