When Skies Close: How NOTAMs Protected Aviation During the Iran Airspace Crisis

Originally published on SkyLink API Blog On the weekend of February 28 – March 1, 2026, U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran triggered what aviation analysts are calling the biggest disruption to global air transport since the COVID-19 pandemic. Within hours, eight countries — Iran, Israel, Jordan, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, and the UAE — announced at least partial closures of their airspace. Dubai International Airport, Hamad International in Doha, and Zayed International in Abu Dhabi all suspended operations. More than 1,800 flights were cancelled by major Middle Eastern carriers alone, while FlightAware reported over 19,000 flights delayed globally . The cause was clear. The mechanism that kept pilots and dispatchers informed through every twist of the crisis? NOTAMs. What Is a NOTAM — and Why Did It Matter Here? A NOTAM (Notice to Air Missions) is an official notice issued to alert pilots, dispatchers, and flight operations personnel to hazards or changes along a flight route or at