Abu Dhabi: UAE airlines, including Emirates, Etihad Airways, and flydubai, have cancelled and diverted multiple flights due to airspace closures in parts of the Middle East. Countries such as Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Lebanon have temporarily closed their airspaces, leading to widespread flight cancellations.
The disruptions come in response to rising regional tensions following missile strikes by Iran on Israel.
Dubai’s flagship carrier Emirates cancelled all its flights to and from Iraq (Basra and Baghdad), Iran (Tehran), and Jordan (Amman) on October 2nd and 3rd. Etihad Airways has also rerouted flights to avoid closed airspaces.
Budget airline Flydubai also announced the cancellation of its flights to Iran, Iraq, Israel and Jordan on 2nd and 3rd of October. Passengers connecting to these destinations will not be accepted for their onward travel.
Etihad Airways have also informed that it was cancelling its flight service to Tel Aviv and those who have already booked in will be assisted with alternate travel arrangements.
The flight cancellations and diversions by UAE airlines come amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, particularly due to recent missile strikes by Iran against Israel. This military escalation has raised concerns across the region, prompting several countries to close their airspaces for safety reasons. Israel’s military response to these threats has further intensified the situation, leading to fears of wider regional conflict.
The fear of potential spillover effects from the conflict has made air travel increasingly risky, prompting airlines to act quickly to ensure passenger safety. The disruptions are expected to continue as the situation develops, and passengers are advised to stay updated on flight statuses.