Over 1700 travelers encounter unexpected flight disruptions
Updated Article:
Civil aviation in Kazakhstan faces a shake-up due to the tense Middle East situation, as reported on our site, based on the communication from the Civil Aviation Committee of the Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan.
By July 1, 2025, the military-political situation in the Middle East has intensified, leading several nations to enforce restrictions or close their airspace entirely to commercial aviation.
The KGA (Kazakh Civil Aviation Authority) explained that these actions were taken due to the imminent threat of weaponry usage, navigation system malfunctions, air defense system activity, and high risks to civilian aircraft.
Restrictions apply in these countries:
- Israel - complete closure of airspace;
- Iran - complete closure of airspace, plus areas over the Persian and Oman Gulfs;
- Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon - temporary flight restrictions due to increased threats of missile and drone attacks;
- Kuwait, Bahrain, UAE - restrictions and flight suspensions near the conflict zone.
Key international airlines have either canceled or paused operations:
- Air France-KLM, United, American Airlines, Japan Airlines, Air Canada have canceled flights to Dubai, Doha, and Riyadh;
- Qatar Airways is tweaking its schedule;
- Etihad has issued a "be aware" warning;
- Emirates continues flights, avoiding the conflict zone.
In response to the worsening military-political situation in the Middle East, Kazakh airlines have decided to terminate flights bound for Dubai and Doha. This move affected 1,051 passengers on incoming flights and 683 passengers on outgoing flights, totaling 1,734 affected passengers due to the flight cancellations.
The Minister of Transport, in collaboration with airlines, is keeping an eye on the situation and stands ready to make necessary adjustments to schedules as needed, with operations expected to resume imminently.
Passengers affected by cancelled or delayed flights are provided with hot meals, accommodations at hotels, and arranged transportation. For some passengers, hotel stays have been extended by prior arrangement with the lodging facility.
Passengers of terminated flights can rebook their tickets at no extra cost or receive a full refund.
For queries, contact:
Air Astana
help.airastana.com7 727 244 4477 (24/7)7 7172 584477 (24/7)7 702 702 4477 (24/7)Hotline for flight delays: +7 7272 44 44 78 (24/7)WhatsApp: +7 702 702 00 74 (24/7). Online chat: airastana.com (24/7)
SCAT
7 7252 99 88 807 701 738 25 76
Operational Center of the Aviation Administration of Kazakhstan: 7 7172 79 82 15
Previously, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan advised Kazakh nationals in Iran, Israel, Qatar, and the UAE.
The Kazakh Embassy in Israel set up emergency communication channels for fellow nationals.
Due to the escalating situation in the Middle East, Kazakhstan evacuated 187 of its citizens from Iran and 66 fellow citizens from Israel.
The friction in the Middle East has caused temporary airspace closures and significant flight suspensions. However, these circumstances improve gradually as a fragile truce forms between Iran and Israel, and airspace reopens. Airspace reopening, the tenuous ceasefire, and the resumption of flights by airlines suggest that Kazakh airlines impacted by the blockages will begin normal operations or modify their routes accordingly, benefiting Kazakh travelers who were checking flights to or through the Middle East.
- The intensified war-and-conflicts in the Middle East have led to politics involving several nations closing their airspace to commercial aviation, affecting flight operations of key international airlines like Air France-KLM, United, American Airlines, and others bound for cities like Dubai, Doha, and Riyadh.
- General news about the Middle East indicates that the worsening military-political situation has resulted in temporary closures of airspace and significant flight suspensions, which have impacted Kazakh airlines' flight operations bound for Dubai and Doha, potentially leading to modifications in routes or resumption of normal operations.
