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Middle East: Airlines are suspending or diverting services to the Middle East as rising conflict continues to disrupt key air corridors in the region.
Aviation concerns follow US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities on Sunday, Israel’s ongoing military actions and Tehran’s pledge to defend itself.
Flight cancellations have impacted major hubs, including Dubai International Airport, which is the world’s busiest for international travel, as well as Doha in Qatar.
Airspace between Iran and the Mediterranean has seen virtually no aerial activity since Israel launched strikes on Iran on June 13.
Several airlines have suspended flights in the area though have not announced when schedules will resume. These include Iberia, part of the IAG group, which cancelled its flights to Doha on Sunday and Monday and is still reviewing future schedules.
Air France-KLM also suspended flights to and from Dubai and Riyadh on both days, while Finnair halted its Doha services until at least Tuesday.
Kazakhstan’s Air Astana also cancelled its Monday flights to Dubai.
Singapore Airlines has extended its suspension of Dubai flights through Tuesday, after initially cancelling only Sunday services.
British Airways, also part of IAG, was expected to restart services to Dubai and Doha on Monday after suspending flights the previous day.
However, in an update on the UK Foreign Office page, the government warns that ‘ongoing hostilities’ have the “potential to deteriorate quickly”.
“There is a possibility of travel disruption, including short-notice airspace closures, delayed and cancelled flights, and other unanticipated travel impacts,” read the update, suggesting the halt could last longer.
All the airline’s flights to Dubai and Doha that were scheduled to depart from Heathrow on Sunday were cancelled, including return flights.
Israel announced on Sunday that it had closed its airspace to both inbound and outbound flights in the wake of the US attacks.
The US Department of State has issued a travel advisory urging “worldwide caution”.
With Russian and Ukrainian airspace still closed due to the ongoing conflict, Middle Eastern routes have become vital for flights between Europe, Asia and Australia.
Over the past 10 days, airlines have diverted flights either north over the Caspian Sea or south through Egypt and Saudi Arabia to avoid danger zones.
As regional airspace becomes increasingly volatile, travellers are urged to monitor official government advisories and reconsider plans to transit through or visit the affected region.
Highlights:
• Airlines are suspending flights to the Middle East as conflict in the region escalates.
• It follows US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities on Sunday.
• Flight cancellations have impacted major airports, including Dubai and Doha.
• Multiple countries, including the UK and the US, have issued strict travel warnings for Israel, Iran, Palestine and neighbouring states amid escalating conflict in the Middle East.
