[Editor’s note: Follow Khaleej Times live blog as Israel and US attack Iran]
Some UAE flights have been impacted by the temporary closure of airspaces after Israel launched a “pre-emptive” attack against Iran on Saturday, and a major US attack is underway. Airlines FlyDubai and Air Arabia have announced that their flights have been cancelled or rerouted.
The US military initiated a series of strikes against targets in Iran, two US officials told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity. The scope of the air and sea operations was not immediately clear. The campaign is expected to last multiple days, a US official said.
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According to a statement sent to Khaleej Times by FlyDubai, the airline is currently working to minimise disruption to its schedule, and affected flights are being rerouted, returning to stand, or cancelled.
“This is a developing situation which we are monitoring closely, while adjusting our flight schedule accordingly,” said a spokesperson. “The safety of our passengers and crew remains our top priority. We are in direct contact with passengers whose travel plans have been affected.”
Air Arabia posted on social media that their flights to Iran, Iraq and other parts of the region were cancelled on Saturday (Feb 28) and that several other flights may be rerouted or delayed as a result. It also wrote that it was notifying customers who were impacted. Passengers were requested to follow its official communication channels for more updates.
FlyDubai also advised its passengers to ensure their contact details are up to date by visiting the ‘Manage Your Booking’ tab on the website and to check the status of their flights for the latest information.
Meanwhile, some flights from Dubai to Iranian cities like Tehran, Mashhad and Bandar Abbas, as well as to Iraqi cities like Najaf, Erbil and Basra, have been cancelled or delayed, according to the Dubai Airport website.
Airspace closure
Airspace closures across the Middle East have disrupted flights and suspended operations as military tensions between Israel and Iran escalate.
The Israeli military announced the closure of schools and workplaces, with exceptions for essential sectors, and banned public airspace. Israel’s airport authority urged civilians not to travel to any of the country’s airports. Iran followed suit, closing its airspace after Israeli strikes, according to Tasnim News Agency.
The closures have impacted several regional airlines. Oman Air temporarily suspended flights to and from Baghdad, while Kuwait’s Aviation Authority halted all flights to Iran until further notice. Iraq’s transport ministry closed its national airspace after Israel launched what its defence minister described as a pre-emptive attack against Iran.
The Ministry of Transport announced that Russian carriers had suspended flights to Iran and Israel. Alternative flight routes to the Arabian Gulf countries have been arranged to ensure passenger safety, though flight times will increase due to longer distances.
Israel stated that the pre-emptive strike was intended to target Iranian military infrastructure, marking a significant escalation in the region and further dimming prospects for a diplomatic resolution.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, with airlines advising passengers to check flight statuses and keep their contact information up to date.
