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 7, Emirates and Etihad Airways resumed operating a reduced passenger flight schedule.  

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.  

Qatar Cargo plans to operate the freighter network, currently positioned outside of Doha, from March 11, subject to final approval. 

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 7, all Middle Eastern ports are operational, except Bahrain, with priority given to vessel berthing, discharging, and pushing out for deliveries.

The Strait of Hormuz remains completely closed to commercial shipping, resulting in suspension of carrier services to and from the Gulf area.

Frequent changes to vessel schedules and port rotations are becoming a regular occurrence.

Several carriers have either given notices or announced on their websites the rerouting or termination of the bill of lading at an alternative port, using the “Liberties” clause on the back of their bill of lading.

Containers are being discharged at various Middle East and Indian Subcontinent ports, and customers are directed to take deliveries across the region.

Ground (Transcon) Freight

No changes to our report from March 6; activities are progressing as previously communicated below.

Ground services are readily available in the region and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, Jordan, and Egypt:

•    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 to or within Israel
•    As ground service providers begin to reposition equipment in the region, we are starting to see increased rate pressure on ground services

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

No changes to our report from March 6; 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 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 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.