Manchester Airport Flights Cancelled Sunday as Doha and Bahrain Routes Disrupted

Flight disruption between Manchester Airport and the Middle East continued on Sunday, March 15, with several services to and from Doha and Bahrain cancelled as airlines dealt with ongoing airspace restrictions in the region.

The pressure on global aviation remained heavy over the weekend. According to FlightAware, a total of 1,749 flights were cancelled worldwide on Saturday, while 1,558 flights had already been cancelled on Sunday at the time of the update. The knock-on effect continued to be felt at Manchester as Gulf routes remained vulnerable to late operational changes.

Qatar and Gulf Air services cancelled

Qatar Airways cancelled two flights linked to Manchester on Sunday. The airline said it was continuing to operate a limited service to support passengers directly affected by the disruption, but broader operations would only return once aviation authorities confirmed that Qatari airspace was fully and safely reopened.

Gulf Air also suspended affected services as Bahrain’s airspace remained closed. Bahraini airport authorities said the temporary measure was being enforced to maintain the highest level of safety for both passengers and employees.

Some Gulf carriers still operating selected flights

Not every service was grounded. A number of Emirates and Etihad Airways flights were still operating, showing that while some routes remained active, the overall picture across the region was still uneven and highly dependent on local airspace decisions.

That left travellers facing a mixed schedule at Manchester Airport, particularly those booked on routes connecting through major hubs in the Gulf. Some services continued, others were delayed or cancelled, and airlines remained on alert for further changes as conditions evolved.

Passengers advised to check before leaving for the airport

Manchester Airport remained open, but passengers due to travel on Middle East routes were being urged to check directly with their airline before making their way to the terminal. With airspace restrictions still affecting normal operations, schedules could continue to shift at short notice throughout the day.