70 days ago, the Middle East airspace went dark.

This week, the map finally started changing.

✈️ UAE airspace fully reopened May 4–5

✈️ Qatar Airways now running 140+ daily flights to 120+ destinations

✈️ Iraq routes resume tomorrow

✈️ Bahrain quietly reopening

But before you book — three Western carriers just extended their suspensions into October, the Strait of Hormuz had three shipping incidents in five days, and one of these four hubs is still a trap.

I just rewrote my full Middle East travel guide for May 9. Which hubs are actually flying, which carriers are still gone, and the booking playbook I'd give a friend in the jumpseat.

Read it before you book anything through the Gulf. 👇