The US and Israeli attack on Iran has caused severe disruption to flights across the Middle East, leaving hundreds of thousands of travellers stranded or diverted. Key transit hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha have closed, and countries including Israel, Qatar, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait and Bahrain have shut their airspace.
The UK government is planning one of the largest evacuations in its history, with more than 76,000 British citizens registered in affected areas. Over two-thirds of these are believed to be in the UAE, mostly holidaymakers and travellers. Dubai's international airport, the world's busiest for international traffic, sustained damage from Iranian retaliatory strikes, along with the Burj Al Arab hotel, injuring four people. An incident at Abu Dhabi's Zayed international airport resulted in one death and seven injuries.
Major airlines including Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad have suspended flights, affecting approximately 90,000 passengers daily. Over 3,400 flights were cancelled across seven main airports in the region on Sunday. Iranian airspace is closed until at least 8.30am UK time on Tuesday, according to Flightradar24.
The UK Foreign Office advises against all travel to Iran, Israel and Palestine, and against all but essential travel to the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain. British nationals in Saudi Arabia are advised to stay at home, while those in Jordan, Oman, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen and Iraq should take precautions. Airlines have issued waivers allowing travellers to rebook without extra fees.
