Impact of Israel's Attack on Iran on UAE Flight Operations: Affecting Emirates, Etihad, Air Arabia, and flydubai
Tensions brewing between Israel and Iran have sent a shockwave through the region, causing major UAE airlines to rethink their travel plans. Here's the lowdown on Emirates, Etihad, flydubai, and Air Arabia:
Current State of Play
- Emirates has nixed a slew of flights to destinations in Iran, Iraq, Jordan, and Lebanon, from June 13-15. The cancellation list includes routes to Basra, Baghdad, Tehran, Amman, and Beirut – with transit passengers from these locations being grounded as well.
- Etihad has put the brakes on flights to Abu Dhabi-Tel Aviv-Abu Dhabi and Hu Amman, as well as the Abu Dhabi-Beirut (EY583/EY584) routes on June 14. Other flights are being rerouted, while passengers connecting through Abu Dhabi to affected destinations will be stopped from boarding.
- flydubai has halted operations to a slew of countries – Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Syria, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Russia, and Uzbekistan – until June 15.
- Air Arabia has pulled the plug on flights to Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Russia, Armenia, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan for June 13 and 14. Other flights may be delayed or rerouted.
All airlines are prioritizing passenger safety and are closely monitoring the situation. Passengers are encouraged to keep an eye on their flight status and contact the respective airline for updates.
Urgent Travel Alert
The UAE has put out a call for Emirati nationals, residents, and visitors to verify their airline's current flight schedules, as continued regional tensions are causing disruptions to air travel across the Middle East. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) published the travel advisory on June 12, urging travelers to stay vigilant and informed about rapidly changing flight statuses in light of the evolving security situation. The advisory applies particularly to UAE nationals residing in or traveling to Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Iran, and Israel.
By keeping tabs on these updates, travelers can ensure a smoother journey through these turbulent times. Stay safe out there, folks!
Travelers are advised to check the latest flight schedules of airlines such as Emirates, Etihad, flydubai, and Air Arabia, as ongoing regional tensions have led to disruptions in air travel across the Middle East. Business operations and travel plans have been affected in sectors like sports and news due to the unstable situation.