UK-Middle East Air Travel Suspended for Days Amid Regional Conflict
Major travel disruption has hit the United Kingdom as all flights to and from the Middle East are grounded until at least Monday, leaving thousands of passengers stranded. This suspension comes in response to escalating regional tensions following a pre-emptive strike by US and Israeli forces against Iran on Saturday morning.
Airport Attacks and Casualties
The grounding follows a series of retaliatory attacks by Iran, which targeted Israel and other Middle Eastern nations. In a tragic incident, one person was killed and at least seven others injured when a drone was intercepted targeting Abu Dhabi's Zayed International Airport. Additionally, four people were injured at Dubai International Airport, leading to the evacuation of terminals on Saturday night.
Massive Disruption at Key Hubs
The closure of some of the world's busiest international airports—including Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi—has had a profound impact. Approximately 2,500 flights have been affected, disrupting the travel plans of around half a million people. These airports typically handle about 20,000 arrivals and departures per hour, highlighting the scale of the chaos.
Airlines Respond to Airspace Closures
In response to multiple regional airspace closures, Emirates announced a temporary suspension of all operations to and from Dubai until 3 pm UAE time on Monday, March 2. The airline has advised passengers with bookings up to March 5 to rebook on alternate flights or request refunds.
Etihad Airways has suspended all flights to and from Abu Dhabi until 2 am UAE time on Monday, urging travellers to check flight statuses online and update their contact details. The airline is offering full refunds for tickets dated up to March 3.
Qatar Airways reported that flights remain temporarily suspended due to the closure of Qatari airspace and warned passengers about scammers impersonating airline staff. Virgin Atlantic stated it is avoiding Iraqi airspace, resulting in rerouted flights between London Heathrow and the region, with services to Dubai and Riyadh cancelled on Sunday and Monday.
Passenger Experiences and Government Advice
Among those affected is Martin Boreham, who was holidaying in Dubai with his wife. Their flight back to Heathrow was cancelled after the captain announced airspace closures, leaving them stranded on the tarmac for three hours before disembarking. They have secured hotel accommodations and await updates on Monday.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has advised British nationals in Bahrain, Israel, Palestine, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates to register their presence with the UK government to receive direct updates on the situation. Travellers are urged to follow local authorities' advice and monitor travel advisories closely.
Despite the widespread suspensions, aviation analytics company Cirium reports that 83 flights between the UK and the Middle East are still scheduled to operate on Sunday, though the overall disruption is expected to persist for days.
