MIDDLE EAST CRISIS

Last updated: 5 March 2026, 16:00 UTC

Following the recent escalation in the Middle East, Salog 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.

SPECIAL CHARTER FLIGHT FROM MUSCAT TO ATHENS
DEPARTING SUNDAY 8 MARCH

SALOG 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.

SALOG ACTIVITY

Salog 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 Salog account manager for the latest information as the situation is evolving rapidly.

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 intercepted a drone and missile barrage this morning, as per news reports (SALOG personnel in UAE didn’t hear anything throughout the day). Major airports in the UAE have begun reopening for limited time windows. Partial opening of UAE airspace has allowed many charter operators to start offering availability from Dubai and Abu Dhabi mainly. Fujairah is also now an option. Muscat in Oman is being used by a number of SALOG clients for evacuations. 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.	5 March 26 11:00 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. 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.	5 March 26 1 :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.	5 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.	5 March 26 11:00 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.	5 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 until at least 6 March. Relief flights are starting today (5 March) but are operating from Muscat, Oman and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia rather than Doha. Leaving Qatar currently requires traveling by land to Saudi Arabia.	5 March 26 11:00 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..	5 March 26 11:00 UTC
Lebanon	Open	Beirut airport is operating on a skeletal schedule due to intensive nearby bombardment. Limited commercial flights are still appearing on schedules but are subject to immediate cancellation. The Port of Beirut and sea routes to Cyprus are the primary exit gateways for foreign nationals.	5 March 26 11:00 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.	5 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.	5 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.	5 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.	5 March 26 11:00 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.	5 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.	5 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.	4 March 26 16:00 UTC
Azerbaijan	Partially closed	Azerbaijan's southern sector is currently partially closed. Its "East-West" transit corridor remains critical for international carriers avoiding the closed airspaces of Iran and the wider Middle East. On 5 March, an Iranian drone reportedly struck the terminal building at Nakhchivan International Airport, injuring two civilians. The military is on combat alert, with additional troops and air defences deployed to the southern border with Iran.	5 March 26 11:00 UTC

Last updated: 5 March 2026, 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	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. It has been reported that Omani taxis are currently required for certain cross-border transits as some private vehicles and UAE-based taxis are being restricted from crossing. 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: 5 March 2026, 14:00 UTC

AIRCRAFT INFORMATION

The following aircraft are available to support operations.