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.

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

As of March 5, a limited number of cargo, repositioning, and repatriation flights continue to operate from Abu Dhabi (AUH) and Dubai (DXB/DWC) under strict regulatory approvals and controlled airspace corridors. These operations are primarily focused on clearing backlog cargo, supporting essential supply chains, and repositioning aircraft.

•    Emirates SkyCargo plans to activate a limited freighter schedule from March 7
•    Etihad Cargo plans to activate a limited freighter schedule from March 9

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

Israeli airspace remains closed to routine civil aviation. However, selected freighter and repatriation flights are operating into and out of Tel Aviv (TLV) with prior government and security approvals. These flights are limited in frequency and capacity and are primarily supporting essential cargo movements and national repatriation requirements.

Qatari airspace remains closed, and all scheduled commercial passenger and cargo flights to and from Doha (DOH) remain suspended. Qatar Airways continues to halt regular operations pending clearance from the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority. Only very limited, exceptional repatriation or government‑approved movements may operate.  No regular cargo schedules are available, and acceptance of new freight remains suspended until further notice.

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

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

As of March 5, the Strait of Hormuz remains completely closed to commercial shipping. In response, all carriers have suspended services to and from the Gulf, and in some instances, to the Red Sea as well. Two carriers - MSC (across their operations) and CMA (for a specific vessel) - have invoked their “End of Voyage” clauses, as outlined in their Bills of Lading. 

Carriers have now begun discharging containers at various Middle East and Indian Subcontinent ports and are directing customers to take deliveries across the region.
 
The terminals at Jebel Ali are operational under enhanced security, with priority given to vessel berthing, discharging, and pushing out for deliveries. All other ports are operational, except Bahrain. 
 
Delays at all Middle Eastern ports continue to intensify, with the increased detention and demurrage. 

Additionally, we see some impact in the Indian Subcontinent, with Middle East cargo and bookings going on hold. A large inventory of containers sitting at Mundra is unable to ship or even withdraw from the port. 

Ground (Transcon) Freight

From Dubai to all Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, Jordan, and Egypt:
•    As ground service providers begin to reposition equipment in the region, we are starting to see increased rate pressures for ground services from providers.  
•    FTL service is fully available  
•    LTL is operating as usual with previously planned departures
•    Multimodal services – From any port in KSA or Oman with onward trucking to any GCC or Levant destination are available
•    Limited operations within Israel

From all GCC countries, Egypt, and Jordan to the UAE and other GCC destinations:
•    Services remain available and can be arranged 

LTL to Bahrain is temporarily closed as the GLS (free zone) is not operational. Note that FTL service into Bahrain is available.  

Warehousing & Distribution

Expeditors warehouse operations across the Middle East are as follows: 

Customs Brokerage

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 remains highly constrained, with airport suspension, limited seaport activity, halted inspections, and no cargo releases. Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) show incremental improvement, though constraints persist – Kuwait faces reduced customs authority staffing and a closed airport, while the UAE has open terminals and functional clearance but export suspensions and extended delays in Abu Dhabi, with priority to pharma and military goods.  

• 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 has stabilized, with seaport operations resumed and restrictions now limited to air arrivals only; and Saudi Arabia remains stable, though new arrivals at Dammam seaport are paused. 

• 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 complementary service for our customers who seek 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.