Russian Embassy in Nairobi Calls on Citizens to Register as Gulf Airspace Remains Closed

The Russian Embassy in Nairobi has issued an urgent travel advisory after escalating military action in the Middle East led to the closure of key airspace routes, disrupting international flights.

In a statement released late on Monday, 2 March, the embassy said the shutdown of airspace over several countries, including the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, had left many Russian nationals stranded in Kenya and other transit locations. The restrictions followed armed strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran. 

Subsequent retaliatory exchanges culminated in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on 1 March. The embassy advised Russian citizens to register with the consulate, report travel difficulties, and install the Assistant Abroad App to receive updates. 

Travellers were also encouraged to inform tour operators of cancellations and disruptions in order to pursue refunds or alternative arrangements. Those unable to rebook flights through the Gulf region were advised to consider alternative hubs such as Addis Ababa, Cairo, or Istanbul.

Airlines worldwide have suspended services to affected destinations. Emirates and Qatar Airways have grounded flights at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, leaving Kenya as a temporary holding point for thousands of passengers. European and American carriers, including Lufthansa, Air India, Delta Air Lines, and American Airlines, have also halted operations to the region. More than 70 per cent of scheduled flights have been cancelled.

The embassy said that its emergency contact number in Nairobi should be used only in cases involving a genuine threat to life or health. The scale of the disruption highlights the vulnerability of international aviation to geopolitical crises. 

With the Persian Gulf region effectively closed to most air traffic, the effects have extended well beyond the Middle East, affecting both business and leisure travel across multiple continents.