Short answer: Malta is safe. Most flights are operating normally
Since Saturday 28 February 2026, a major armed conflict has erupted in the Middle East — US and Israeli strikes on Iran, followed by Iranian retaliation across the Gulf. The chaos has cancelled over 12,300 flights across the region. But Malta is not the Middle East, and most people flying there have nothing to worry about.
What's actually happening
The following countries have closed or severely restricted their airspace: Iran, Israel, Iraq, Jordan, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and the UAE. That's a huge swathe of the Middle East — but it's over 3,000 kilometres from Malta, sitting quietly in the Central Mediterranean.
Over 12,300 flights were cancelled across seven major Middle East airports between 28 February and 3 March. At least 20,200 passengers are stranded in the UAE alone. Nearly 8,000 transit passengers are stuck in Qatar.
Which Malta flights are actually cancelled?
Two specific Malta routes were suspended due to the conflict:
- Emirates — Dubai to Malta, suspended until further notice
- Qatar Airways — Doha to Malta, suspended until further notice
That's it. If your itinerary doesn't route through Dubai or Doha, you're almost certainly fine.
European routes: Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air — are they flying?
Yes. All direct European services to Malta International Airport (MLA) are operating normally. Flights from London, Warsaw, Berlin, Rome, Amsterdam and all other European cities travel through European airspace, which is completely unaffected. No European carrier has cancelled Malta routes due to this conflict. Malta Airport is operating under normal security procedures.
Is Malta safe to visit right now?
Yes, without reservation. Malta has no proximity to the conflict zone, no military entanglements with any party, and no elevated security threat. The Maltese government has officially condemned the attacks and called for dialogue. No Western government has issued travel advisories against visiting Malta.
What if your flight connects through Dubai or Doha?
- Contact Emirates or Qatar Airways immediately — you are entitled to a full refund or free rerouting
- Check your travel insurance — most policies cover cancellation due to armed conflict
- Register with your country's embassy if you're already in the conflict region
The bottom line
- ✅ Malta is safe — 3,000+ km from the conflict
- ✅ All European flights to Malta operating normally
- ✅ Malta Airport (MLA) operating normally
- ⚠️ Emirates Dubai–Malta and Qatar Airways Doha–Malta are suspended
- ℹ️ Situation evolving — check your airline before travelling
Last updated: 3 March 2026. We will update this article as the situation develops.