Since the US first launched strikes on Iran on the 28 February, the Middle East has been plunged into a state of turmoil with the consequences being felt throughout the international community.
Demonstrations and protests across the UK have been in full swing with people both celebrating and mourning the death of the Supreme leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.
In Manchester, a gathering took place at St Peter’s Square on 1 March, where demonstrators called for a regime change in Iran. It seemed the hope was for a return to the monarchy that was ousted in the 1979 revolution.
A vigil held on the 4 March for the supreme leader at the Islamic centre turned violent when anti-regime protesters gathered, leading to fights breaking out.
As US-backed Israel and Iran exchange missiles, airspace in the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, some of the world’s busiest airports, has been closed off.
Dubai International Airport saw a record number of passengers in 2025, at 95.2 million, and this number is only on the rise in 2026.
As of 18 March, flights from Dubai are gradually resuming with partial operations. Repatriation flights have been underway, with the task of getting 141,000 British nationals stuck in the Middle East back to the UK a gruelling one.
On 10 March, British Airways announced that they had cancelled all flights to and from Amman, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai and Tel Aviv until later this month, as well as those to and from Abu Dhabi until later this year.
The situation remains uncertain, but the airline maintains that they are continuing to “review options to bring back more customers who have been disrupted”.
With many of the Manchester student population international, the situation is potentially disruptive, especially with the Easter Break coming up.
The University released a statement containing advice for those travelling to affected regions, confirming that they are “closely monitoring the situation in the Middle East” and that they “recognise that many in our community will be concerned or more directly impacted”.
The government website provides the most up-to-date information — as of writing, both the UAE and Qatar are listed as “advises against all but essential travel”.
Flights bound for the Middle East from Manchester Airport may be affected/cancelled, so it is recommended that passengers check with their airline in advance.
