Attack on Iran triggers global flight disruptions, impacts Canadian travellers
Global News
Flights in Canada and across the globe are being disrupted or cancelled, as tensions in the Middle East soar following an attack by U.S and Israel on Iran and surrounding regions.
The U.S. and Israel’s attack on Iran is disrupting flights across the Middle East and beyond, as regional airspaces began closing, leaving thousands of travellers across the globe stranded.
Disruptions are already being felt in Canada as Air Canada cancelled a flight to Dubai earlier Saturday, hours after strikes in Iran and surrounding countries like Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates.
In a statement on social media, the airline stated that “due to the military situation in the Middle East, we have canceled today’s flights to and from Dubai.”
Air Canada added it is monitoring the situation and flights will be adjusted accordingly. “No flight was planned to or from Tel Aviv today. We are monitoring the situation and will adjust our schedule accordingly.”
The airline noted that customers with upcoming flights can visit its website for updates.
Other flights leaving Canada could also be seeing delays due to ongoing tensions in the Gulf region.
Toronto Pearson International Airport, Canada’s largest airport, said some flights are being impacted Saturday.
“Airlines are adjusting routes and schedules in response, which may lead to delays or cancellations,” the airport said in a statement.
The U.S. Central Command said the crash followed an unspecified incident involving two aircraft in “friendly airspace,” and that the other plane landed safely.
Water treatment centres in the Persian Gulf region are under threat amid the Iran war, with desalination plants in areas like Bahrain taking damage from strikes.
John Gradek said that the price of jet fuel is up about 30 per cent and the cost of fuel represents about 30 per cent of an airline's operating costs.
Iran's unrelenting attacks on shipping traffic and energy infrastructure in the Persian Gulf pushed oil back above $100 a barrel on Thursday.
Concerns were raised in a document sent to British Prime Minster Keir Starmer in December 2024 when he was considering appointing Peter Mandelson.
Canada and a group of dozens of other countries have agreed to release 400 million barrels of oil from their strategic reserves as the Iran war threatens the global supply.
Iran's military command said on Wednesday the world should be prepared for oil to hit US$200 a barrel, as three more ships came under attack in the blockaded Gulf.
Iran launched new attacks against Israel and Gulf Arab countries, while Israel carried out airstrikes on Iran and Lebanon, where it is battling Hezbollah militants.
The department said it is also seeing fewer Canadians take government-assisted travel options as flights gradually resume in certain parts of the region.
The war has sent oil prices surging, upending global travel, pushing airline tickets on some routes sky-high, and sparking fears of a deep travel slump.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the United States would carry out the most intense day of strikes against Iran on Tuesday.
Trump said the war would continue until Iran is 'totally and decisively defeated' and predicted it would be over 'very soon,' but denied suggestions it could end this week.
G7 finance ministers said they were monitoring the situation and were prepared to implement 'necessary measures,' but stopped short of committing to release emergency reserves.