Global air travel remains in turmoil with Manchester Airport flights affected

07:55, 06 Mar 2026Updated 08:01, 06 Mar 2026

Passengers arrive at Manchester Airport earlier this week following clashes with the United States, Israel and Iran(Image: MEN)

As the war in Iran enters its seventh day, global air travel remains in turmoil. Thousands of flights have been cancelled – including some in Manchester Airport – leaving hundreds of thousands of passengers stranded in the Middle East.

More than 140,000 Britons in the region have registered for updates from the UK government. Shortly before 1am today (Friday) the first Government-chartered plane evacuating British nationals touched down at Stansted.

In an update yesterday, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the flight took off from Muscat International Airport in Oman on Thursday afternoon. He said: He said: “More than 4,000 people have now arrived back in the United Kingdom on commercial flights from the UAE, including vulnerable Brits identified by our teams.

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“A further seven flights are due to leave the UAE for the UK today, and I can report that our first charter flight from Oman took off a few minutes ago. We will lay on additional charter flights in the coming days.

“British Airways is putting on daily flights from Oman, and we will keep working with all of our partners to increase the speed and capacity of this airlift. I want to be very clear, this is a huge undertaking.”

Etihad Airways announced on Friday it would be resuming a ‘limited commercial flight schedule’ until March 19, including flights to and from Abu Dhabi to Heathrow, Manchester and Dublin.

Manchester Airport continues to feel the impact, with 14 flights cancelled today following eight cancellations yesterday. Travellers are advised to check their flight status directly with airlines before heading to the terminal.

Here are all the Manchester Airport flights cancelled today:

Arrivals

6.35am, Bahrain, GF005, Gulf Air7.05am, Doha, QR025, Qatar Airways11.15am, Dubai, EK017, Emirates12.20pm Doha, QR027, Qatar Airways5.55pm, Abu Dhabi, EY075, Etihad Airways7.40pm, Doha, QR023, Qatar Airways

Departures

7.45am, Doha, QR022, Qatar Airways8.25, Abu Dhabi, EY078, Etihad Airways8.50am, Doha, QR026, Qatar Airways10.15am, Bahrain, GF004, Gulf Air1.15pm, Dubai, EK018, Emirates2.05pm, Doha, QR028, Qatar Airways7.55pm, Abu Dhabi, EY076, Etihad Airways9.30pm, Doha, QR024, Qatar Airways