Middle East Flights: Risks Rise as Planes Fly Near Conflict Zones | WSJ Report

At least 39 flights departing or arriving from Dubai flew within five minutes of national fire warnings since the start of the war, according to a report in The Wall Street Journal. The incidents highlight the risks commercial aircraft face when flying near active conflict zones, prompting renewed scrutiny of flight paths in the Middle East.

The report details several near-misses involving civilian aircraft and potential conflict debris. On March 16th, a fuel tank was struck, though no immediate details about the location or aircraft involved were released. Multiple instances of undetected impacts were likewise cited, raising concerns about the limitations of current warning systems.

The current conflict has prompted hundreds of airlines to reroute flights away from the region, but many continue to operate in airspace near the fighting. “This is a war. Why are they flying through the path of missiles?” Korosh Doustinas, whose partner was among the victims of the 2020 Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 crash, told The Wall Street Journal. That incident, in which Iran shot down a civilian airliner, killing all 176 people on board, continues to fuel anxieties about accidental strikes.

The report indicates varying levels of recorded incidents at different airports. Abu Dhabi registered six such occurrences within the specified timeframe, while Sharjah Airport, located approximately 30 kilometers northeast of Dubai, recorded 12. The numbers contrast with the 39 flights identified near Dubai.

Etihad Airways, based in Abu Dhabi, stated in a released statement that it does not operate any flights unless they have been fully assessed and approved as safe.

The Wall Street Journal also reported at least five instances of aircraft sustaining damage while on the ground, with no injuries reported in those cases. Pilots, security specialists, and industry executives are reportedly voicing similar concerns about the potential for a catastrophic incident, citing the elevated risk of a plane being hit by a missile, drone, or even accidental fire from a defensive system.

As of March 20, 2026, no official statements have been released regarding potential changes to flight routes or enhanced safety measures in the region.