Middle East Tension Escalation - June 3, 2026

Recent escalations in geopolitical tensions and military activity in the Middle East continue to cause significant disruption across the region. In response, most countries have announced full or partial closures of their airspace, and several have also implemented seaport closures or restrictions. While airspace, airports, and seaports in certain locations may be closed or constrained, Expeditors’ offices in the region remain operational under a work from home posture and continue to support affected customers.

The details in this Operational Impact summarize the latest regional events and information. For more updates, contact your local Expeditors representative.

This is a fluid situation occurring within a war zone, with the potential for rapid change. Accordingly, the charts are intended to provide a high-level summary of the current infrastructure status, government regulations, and operational conditions that may impact Expeditors’ ability to provide services. Additional details can be found in the individual product updates in the sections that follow.

Red = Closed, suspended, or materially restricted operations, no releases, closures, or airport/port shutdowns
Amber = Limited operations, partial restrictions, delays, inspections not occurring, high uncertainty
Green = Operational, but shipments may still experience delays

Product Impact Summary

Air Freight

The situation remains fluid, and planned flight frequencies are subject to change based on ongoing approvals from the relevant authorities.

Etihad Airways is operating an expanded commercial flight schedule serving around 80 destinations worldwide. The schedule remains a phased resumption, with some routes operating on a limited basis and all services subject to regional conditions and operational changes.

Emirates SkyCargo has increased passenger and freighter operations and is operating to 137 destinations in 72 countries, with freighter service to 55 destinations. Customers may continue to book shipments on available flights, subject to capacity. Transit cargo via Dubai (DXB/DWC) is accepted where onward connections are confirmed and operational. Class 1 Dangerous Goods remain restricted to and from the Emirates network.

Following a ceasefire and updated security assessment, Israel’s airspace has reopened with controlled restrictions, and operations are functioning at partial capacity. Expect ongoing daily changes, capacity constraints, and delays.

All permitted movements across the region remain subject to short-notice cancellation or delay.

Navigation issues in the Strait of Hormuz have led to fuel restrictions in some countries. China and Thailand have implemented a suspension of jet fuel exports. As a result, Vietnamese authorities have advised the country’s aviation industry to prepare for possible flight reductions if fuel supply tightens further. Vietnam imports more than two‑thirds of its jet fuel needs, with an estimated 60% sourced from these two markets.

Airspace Status

Note: The fact that a NOTAM or carrier notice has expired does not necessarily mean that the situation has returned to normal.

Airline Status – Middle Eastern Carriers

Airline Status – Other Carriers to the Middle East

Ocean Freight

Most container carriers continue to treat the Strait of Hormuz as non‑navigable for scheduled services.

All Persian Gulf ports are operational but constrained, with some ports experiencing congestion.

Due to congestion in Jeddah, several carriers are limiting or suspending deliveries to the upper Gulf area via land bridge from Jeddah, leaving Khor Fakkan and Fujairah as alternative routing options.

The chart below offers a brief overview of improving operating conditions at various ports in the Gulf region:

Ground (Transcon) Freight

No changes to our report from April 13; activities are progressing as previously communicated below.  

Transcon ground services continue to operate throughout the region, with available solutions supporting ongoing freight movement. Market conditions in the region are driving localized restrictions, as outlined below.

Transcon inbound solutions are available as outlined below

• FTL service continues to be available throughout the region.
• LTL is operating as usual in the region, except in Bahrain, where delays through the free zone are anticipated due to the new appointment process following its reopening.
• Transcon Inland Services to destinations across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) are available via FTL from airports in Saudi Arabia (KSA), Muscat, Oman, and Dubai for dry and temperature-controlled Cargo. LTL is available from Dubai Airport for dry shipments.
• Transcon Inland Services to destinations across the GCC are available via FTL from ocean ports in Jeddah, Sohar/Salalah, and active ports in the UAE for dry and temperature‑controlled shipments. 
  
• UAE Khor Fakkan port solution: Transloading of containers coming through Khor Fakkan port onto trucks to continue through to GCC countries is available; however, close coordination between both port authorities, Khor Fakkan and Jebel Ali, is necessary.
• Multimodal services also continue to be available from ports and airports in Saudi Arabia (KSA) or Oman, with onward trucking to any GCC country or Levant destination.

 Operational Notes

• Ground services in/out of Qatar are experiencing reduced available capacity due to nationality-based driver entry restrictions being implemented.
• The Bahrain free zone has reopened, but is limited to appointments. LTL delays should be anticipated. This does not impact FTL services.
• As ground service providers continue to reposition equipment in the region and freight flows change, we continue to see increased rate pressure in all areas.
• Transcon services are available in Israel with no restrictions; however, delays may occur unexpectedly if the situation changes. Jordan River / Sheikh Hussein border crossing is currently operating between 08:30 – 17:00 local time.

Warehousing & Distribution

No changes to our report from April 14; activities are progressing as previously communicated below.   

Expeditors’ warehouse operations across the Middle East are as follows:

Customs Brokerage

No changes to our report from April 7; activities are progressing as previously communicated below.

Customs and port operations across the Middle East remain disrupted and inconsistent, with several markets operating at varying levels of restriction.  While some locations are stabilizing, clearance timelines and shipment flow continue to be impacted by airport closures, port limitations, inspection delays, and reduced customs authority capacity. 

• Experiencing Significant Constraints  

  Bahrain has shown improvement, with airport operations now running within limited, time-bound windows and partial seaport activity resumed; customs entries are accepted, though release and inspection activity remains constrained. Operations at Khor Fakkan Port in the United Arab Emirates have resumed following a brief service suspension. While customs systems are fully functional, delays continue—particularly involving Sharjah Customs—and processing timelines remain extended. Abu Dhabi is prioritizing pharmaceutical and military shipments, and export shipments are not being accepted at terminals. Kuwait remains constrained by reduced customs authority staffing, a closed airport, limited border activity, and delays of up to one day.

• Operating with Constraints 

  Lebanon, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia remain operational with varying constraints: Lebanon continues to experience delays due to customs authority staffing shortages. Qatar and Saudi Arabia remain stable, with Hamad Seaport and Saudi customs operations functioning normally; however, air arrivals into Qatar and new arrivals at Dammam Seaport remain paused without resulting backlogs.

• Operating

  Oman, Jordan, and Egypt continue to operate, with minimal to no clearance delays currently reported.

   

Shipments may experience delays beyond standard clearance timelines or may be unable to clear until conditions stabilize.

All Expeditors locations remain operational at this time. For additional insight into current service offerings and capabilities, please contact your local Expeditors representative.

Expeditors provides Operational Impact updates from time to time as a complimentary service for our customers seeking general information to help them navigate supply chain disruptions. We draw from publicly available sources that we believe to be reliable. That said, supply chain disruption events are inherently fluid and complex. Operational Impact information may be incomplete or inaccurate, or may differ for your supply chain. Please contact your local Expeditors representative for the latest cargo status and routing updates for your supply chain circumstances.