Wave of flight cancellations from Barcelona to Oriente Medio due to war crisis

Travelling from Barcelona to the Middle East is becoming more complicated. Fifteen flights cancelled in a single day. International tension is affecting thousands of passengers and hitting airlines. The impact is already being felt in the local economy.

Uncertainty in the Middle East has disrupted the plans of those due to fly from Barcelona to destinations such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Israel, Jordan or Qatar. This Tuesday, most flights scheduled from El Prat Airport to the region were cancelled, leaving hundreds of passengers without immediate alternatives and creating long queues at information desks.

In total, fifteen of the twenty-one flights planned from Barcelona did not take off, according to Aena data. The situation is repeated in Madrid, where five of the twenty-three flights bound for the Middle East were also suspended. Only one managed to operate normally in the capital.

The escalation of attacks in the Persian Gulf since last Saturday has forced the closure of key airports and disrupted international connectivity. On Monday, thirty-two planned flights between Spain and the Middle East were affected, causing a knock-on effect on the operations of Spain's main airlines.

Iberia Express is keeping its daily route between Madrid and Tel Aviv suspended until 10 March, while Air Europa has cancelled all its flights to the Israeli city until 9 March. Both companies justify the measure on the grounds of airspace closure and insecurity in the area.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs estimates that around 30,000 Spaniards currently live in Middle Eastern countries. Embassies have strengthened their support for affected citizens, while the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and rising oil prices add pressure to the economy. Spanish airline shares have suffered notable falls on the stock market, reflecting the sector's concern about a prolonged crisis.

Barcelona-El Prat Airport, one of southern Europe's main international connection points, has experienced sustained growth in routes to the Middle East in recent years. This expansion has facilitated both business travel and tourism and the movement of foreign residents. The current crisis highlights the vulnerability of air connections to international conflicts and El Prat's strategic importance for Barcelona's economy and everyday life.