The US-Israeli war with Iran continues to cause major travel problems in the Middle East, with airspace closures leading to huge numbers of flight cancellations, rerouted journeys, and delays.
Brits who are planning trips to the region are being told to review their travel plans, with the Foreign Office warning against travel to the UAE and urging those already in destinations like Dubai and Qatar to shelter in place and to limit movements to essential journeys only.
Stranded passengers in the Middle East last week
REUTERS
Dubai International Airport is still operational with a limited service, but has closed for periods on Tuesday and Wednesday.
On Tuesday morning, the airport was forced to temporarily pause operations amid a missile threat from Iran, while flights were paused on Wednesday after a drone strike wounded four people.
Emirates have eben among the airlines hit by the chaos in the Middle East
REUTERS
Social media footage from Dubai International shows a packed airport with thousands trying to leave following days of delays and cancellations.
Meanwhile, a number of operators continue to cancel services to and from destinations in the Middle East.
British Airways has announced it would be drastically reducing its flight schedule to the region.
British Airways has cancelled all flights to and from Amman, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai and Tel Aviv until later this month and to and from Abu Dhabi until later this year
PA Wire
A BA statement read: “Due to the continuing uncertainty of the situation in the Middle East and airspace instability, we’ve had to temporarily reduce our flying schedule in the region.
“We’ve cancelled all flights to and from Amman, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai and Tel Aviv until later this month and to and from Abu Dhabi until later this year.”
All British Airways flights to Middle Eastern destinations other than Abu Dhabi are now cancelled until at least March 28.
The airline has been operating a limited number of repatriation flights from Muscat to London Heathrow, but announced it would pause these flights after March 12 due to reduced demand.
Virgin Atlantic and KLM have also announced they would be cancelling all flights to and from Dubai, citing the ongoing geopolitical unrest.
An Etihad Airways flight was expected to land at Heathrow later this evening (Steve Parsons/PA)
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Other major airlines such as Etihad, Emirates, Saudi Airlines and Qatar Airways are still operating limited repatriation flights to and from the region.
Emirates announced that they expect to bring back full network operations soon, posting on X: “The airline anticipates a return to 100 per cent of its network within the coming days, subject to airspace availability and the fulfilment of all operational requirements.
As long as airspace restrictions remain in place, the authorities, airlines and airports are strongly advising passengers not to travel to the airport unless they have a confirmed booking.
A statement from Dubai Airports reads: “Dubai Airports continues to closely monitor the situation in coordination with relevant authorities and our focus remains on maintaining the highest standards of operational safety, security, and wellbeing of passengers and staff. We appreciate your patience and understanding.”
Cancelled flights from the UAE to London
15:20 Dubai to London Heathrow – Virgin Atlantic
Cancelled flights from London to UAE
22:10 London Heathrow to Dubai – Virgin Atlantic
Cancelled flights from elsewhere in the Middle East to London
12:15 Doha to London Heathrow – Qatar Airways
13:34 Kuwait to London Heathrow – Kuwait Airways
14:45 Bahrain to London Heathrow – Gulf Air
14:45 Amman to London Heathrow – Royal Jordanian
17:05 Riyadh to London Heathrow – Qatar Airways
17:25 Doha to London Heathrow – Qatar Airways
19:50 Doha to London Heathrow – Qatar Airways
21:55 Doha to London Heathrow – Qatar Airways
22:40 Doha to London Heathrow – Qatar Airways
Cancelled flights from London to the Middle East
14:15 London Heathrow to Doha – Qatar Airways
15:30 London Heathrow to Doha – Qatar Airways
15:45 London Heathrow to Kuwait – Kuwait Airways
16:10 London Heathrow to Amman – Royal Jordanian
18:55 London Heathrow to Doha – Qatar Airways
19:25 London Heathrow to Riyadh – Qatar Airways
21:50 London Heathrow to Bahrain – Gulf Air
Scheduled flights to London from Middle East
10:45 Beirut to London Heathrow – MEA
11:40 Dubai to London Heathrow – Emirates
12:45 Jeddah to London Heathrow – Emirates
12:15 Doha to London Heathrow – Qatar Airways (cancelled)
12:15 Jeddah to London Heathrow – Saudia
13:45 Kuwait to London Heathrow – Kuwait Airways (cancelled)
13:50 Dubai to London Heathrow – Emirates
13:55 Jeddah to London Heathrow – Saudia
14:20 Muscat to London Heathrow – Oman Air
14:45 Amman to London Heathrow – Royal Jordanian
15:20 Dubai to London Heathrow – Virgin (cancelled)
17:25 Doha to London Heathrow – Qatar Airways (cancelled)
17:35 Doha to London Heathrow – Qatar Airways
18:30 Abu Dhabi to London Heathrow – Etihad
19:50 Doha to London Heathrow – Qatar Airways (cancelled)
20:00 Dubai to London Heathrow – Emirates
20:20 Jeddah to London Heathrow – Saudia
21:55 Doha to London Heathrow – Qatar Airways (cancelled)
22:40 Doha to London Heathrow – Qatar Airways (cancelled)
Scheduled flights from London to the Middle East
12:10 London Heathrow to Beirut – MEA
13:25 London Heathrow to Riyadh – BA
13:40 London Heathrow to Dubai – Emirates
13:40 London Heathrow to Dubai – BA
14:15 London Heathrow to Doha – Qatar Airways (cancelled)
15:30 London Heathrow to Doha – Qatar Airways (cancelled)
15:45 London Heathrow to Kuwait – Kuwait Airways (cancelled)
15:50 London Heathrow to Riyadh – Virgin (cancelled)
15:50 London Heathrow to Dubai – Emirates
17:50 London Heathrow to Jeddah – Saudia
18:50 London Heathrow to Jeddah – Saudia
18:50 London Heathrow to Doha – Qatar Airways (cancelled)
19:00 London Heathrow to Dubai – Emirates
19:25 London Heathrow to Riyadh – Qatar Airways (cancelled)
20:05 London Heathrow to Muscat – Oman Air
20:20 London Heathrow to Dubai – Emirates
21:30 London Heathrow to Doha – Qatar Airways
22:10 London Heathrow to Dubai – Virgin (cancelled)