Flights were cancelled after airspace closures tied to the Middle East conflict, leaving travellers stranded and uncertain about returns. Yasmin Rufo, reporter, had her Etihad flight from Colombo cancelled and says she faced “radio silence” from the airline and mounting hotel and food costs. Manchester Airport has issued parking and lounge guidance while Etihad Airways moved to a limited commercial schedule and government-chartered repatriation flights began.
Flights and cancellations: the immediate fallout
Airspace restrictions in the Middle East forced airlines to cancel services and reroute operations, producing a sudden squeeze on available seats and stranding passengers in multiple countries. No Etihad services operated on Sunday after the closures, and a 04: 00 UAE flight from Colombo was confirmed cancelled at 02: 00. Passengers left at airports have faced long queues, limited information and a scramble for alternative routes; some indirect options that remained available were cited as costing thousands of pounds per person.
Operators now face both logistical and customer-service pressures: airlines are juggling limited schedules while airports manage arrivals and parked aircraft. Etihad Airways announced it would be resuming a “limited commercial flight schedule” until March 19, including services to and from Abu Dhabi to Heathrow, Manchester and Dublin. Manchester Airport reported a small number of cancellations and advised travellers to check directly with their airline before travelling to the terminal.
Immediate reactions
Yasmin Rufo, reporter, described the passenger experience in stark terms: “I think overall the communication has just been really bad. ” She added: “It is just impossible to get through to anyone on the live chat. There are no lines. ” Rufo said passengers at the airport were “quite stressed and anxious” and uncertain whether extra expenses would be reimbursed, adding that she had been told to keep receipts for later claims.
Manchester Airport posted a statement on its site outlining customer assistance measures: “Owing to the ongoing situation in the Middle East and resulting airspace closures, a small number of flights at Manchester Airport have been cancelled or delayed. If you are arriving on a delayed inbound flight and have a car in one of our car parks, please press the intercom at the exit barrier. A member of our team will raise the barrier for you. No additional parking charges will apply. “
Quick context
The disruptions followed escalation in a war involving the United States and Israel and Iran, described as entering its seventh day, which led to widespread airspace restrictions. Those restrictions have resulted in thousands of cancelled flights and prompted large numbers of British nationals in the region to register for government updates, with significant repatriation planning under way.
What’s next
Repatriation flights have begun: the first government-chartered plane evacuating British nationals arrived at Stansted shortly before 1am on Friday. Travellers should expect ongoing rebookings on a limited commercial schedule while airlines and airports prioritise safety and airspace guidance. Manchester Airport’s operational advice for delayed arrivals — including waived additional parking charges for affected vehicles — will remain in force for now, and Etihad’s limited schedule runs until March 19. Passengers planning onward travel should monitor airline communications closely, keep receipts for emergency expenses, and prepare for continued disruption to flights as the situation evolves.
