Flights linking Ghana and Dubai were suspended late Saturday, February 28, 2026.

The development has left hundreds of passengers stranded at Accra International Airport, as escalating military hostilities in the Middle East prompted several Gulf states to close their airspace.

According to Ghana Airports Company officials, disruption began around 7:15 PM when Emirates flight EK 788, scheduled to depart Accra for Dubai, was cancelled with no immediate rescheduling.

The suspension follows widespread airspace restrictions across the Gulf after Iranian missile and drone strikes targeted US military sites and regional assets.

Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have all imposed civilian flight restrictions, forcing airlines to reroute or suspend operations to avoid conflict zones.

The escalation comes after the United States and Israel carried out a major strike on Iran, resulting in the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

In Dubai, authorities reported a building fire in Palm Jumeirah and activated air defence systems to intercept incoming missiles and drones.

Read: 'It's eerie': Dubai on edge as city comes under attack by Iran

Dubai International Airport, one of the world’s busiest aviation hubs, is partially closed, with Emirates advising travellers over the next 72 hours to check flight statuses online.

For Ghana, the cancellations temporarily cut a key transit link connecting West Africa to Asia, Europe, and North America, highlighting the broader ripple effects of the conflict.

Regional and international aviation authorities warned that further disruptions remain possible if hostilities persist.