Uzbekistan temporarily halts Umrah trips following Middle East airspace restrictions

The escalating conflict in the region has led to significant restrictions on air travel, forcing the cancellation of numerous international flights. In light of these developments, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a formal advisory urging citizens to refrain from traveling to countries within the affected region.

Uzbekistani nationals currently residing in or visiting the Middle East have been advised to heighten their security measures.

As a direct consequence of the safety concerns, the Muslim Board of Uzbekistan has postponed its scheduled flights. Specifically, an Umrah pilgrimage flight on the Tashkent – Jeddah route, originally set for March 2, 2026, has been delayed indefinitely. Authorities stated that updates regarding the resumption of flights will be provided through official channels as the situation evolves.

The regional instability has also affected transit travelers. According to the Dunyo Information Agency, 48 citizens of Uzbekistan were stranded at Doha International Airport following the closure of Qatari airspace.

While airlines were initially unable to provide hotel accommodations due to the emergency nature of the situation, the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Doha intervened. Following successful negotiations by diplomatic staff, the stranded passengers were successfully relocated to temporary hotel housing.

The Embassy confirmed that it is maintaining a constant dialogue with local authorities to ensure the safe return of citizens once flight operations resume.

"The situation is under the constant control of the Embassy, and the passenger list is being updated regularly. We urge our compatriots not to panic, to rely only on official sources, and to strictly follow safety rules by avoiding crowded places and adhering to local laws," the diplomatic mission stated.

Currently, there are approximately 600 citizens of Uzbekistan in Qatar. Reports confirm that there have been no casualties or injuries among them following the recent events.

The Committee for Religious Affairs has announced a temporary suspension of Umrah pilgrimages organized by the Muslim Board of Uzbekistan and private tour operators. The decision comes in response to the deteriorating security situation in the Middle East and the subsequent closure of regional airspace.