Singapore Airlines Cancels Flights Amid US-Israel Strikes on Iran

SINGAPORE (Azat TV) – Singapore Airlines (SIA) and its low-cost subsidiary Scoot canceled six flights to and from the Middle East on February 28 and March 1, 2026, following a wave of strikes launched by the United States and Israel against targets in Iran. The cancellations reflect heightened security concerns and widespread airspace closures across the region, impacting air travel for thousands of passengers.

Singapore Airlines Flight Disruptions Detailed

Four Singapore Airlines flights were affected, specifically SQ494 (Singapore to Dubai) and SQ495 (Dubai to Singapore), scheduled for both February 28 and March 1. Additionally, Scoot canceled two flights: TR596 (Singapore to Jeddah) and TR597 (Jeddah to Singapore) on February 28. These disruptions were a direct response to the escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, which led to a swift reassessment of flight paths for major carriers.

In a statement issued on February 28, SIA advised customers to update their contact details to receive timely flight updates and confirmed that the airline would continue to monitor the situation closely, adjusting flight paths as necessary. The safety and security of its passengers and crew remain the airline’s paramount concern amid the volatile situation.

Broader Impact on Middle East Airspace

The flight cancellations by Singapore Airlines and Scoot were part of a broader disruption affecting air travel across the Middle East. Following the strikes, airspaces over Israel, Iran, Iraq, and Jordan were reportedly closed, forcing airlines to either cancel flights or divert them. Flight tracking sites like Flightradar24 showed a significant number of aircraft actively avoiding these regions, illustrating the immediate and widespread impact of the military actions.

Other international carriers also felt the ripple effect. Malaysia Airlines, for instance, reported that two of its flights bound for the Middle East from Kuala Lumpur were diverted on February 27. Flight MH160, destined for Doha, turned back to Kuala Lumpur, while Flight MH156, en route to Jeddah, was diverted to Chennai, India, before eventually returning to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). Major European airlines such as Lufthansa and Air France also announced suspensions or cancellations of flights to destinations in the Middle East, underscoring the global nature of the crisis’s impact on aviation.

Background of US-Israel Strikes on Iran

The US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, 2026, followed a period of intense geopolitical strain. This action came after a 12-day air war in June 2025, during which the US joined an Israeli military campaign targeting Iranian nuclear installations. That earlier conflict was widely reported by Reuters as the most direct American military action ever against the Islamic Republic. Both the US and Israel had issued repeated warnings, stating they would retaliate if Iran continued to advance its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

The recent strikes represent a renewed escalation in the long-standing tensions between the involved nations, making the Middle Eastern airspace a high-risk zone for commercial aviation. This context explains the immediate and cautious response from airlines like Singapore Airlines, prioritizing safety over schedule adherence.

The necessity for airlines to adapt rapidly to geopolitical events highlights the inherent vulnerabilities of global air travel to regional conflicts. The swift decision by Singapore Airlines and others to cancel or divert flights underscores the industry’s commitment to safety protocols, even as it navigates the complex challenges of maintaining connectivity in an increasingly unpredictable world.