A billboard shows canceled flights to Dubai and Doha amid regional airspace closures at Noi Bai International Airport amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Hanoi, Vietnam, March 2, 2026. Picture taken with a cellphone.
Thinh Nguyen | Reuters
Airline and travel stocks fell Monday after the closure of airspace across the Middle East forced carriers to cancel thousands of flights, disrupting travel to Brazil and the Philippines.
United Airlineswhich has the most international exposure among U.S. carriers, was down 6% in premarket trading. Serving Tel Aviv, Israel, is one of the airline’s most profitable routes, but airlines have also been forced to suspend flights to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, one of the world’s busiest airport hubs.
Dubai is the home base of Emirates airline.
Actions of Delta Airlines And American airlines were also each down about 6%. Flights across the Middle East have been blocked, including to destinations like Tel Aviv.
Other carriers like Southwest Airlineswhich is more focused on the United States, saw more modest stock moves, but its shares still fell as investors priced a possible rise in oil prices. Fuel is typically airlines’ largest cost after labor.
Hotel chains also fell, with Marriott International And Hilton Worldwide Holdings down.
International travel has been a bright spot in the travel industry. In January, demand for international air travel jumped 5.9% from a year ago, while demand for domestic flights remained almost flat, the International Air Transport Association, an airline industry group, said Monday.