Travel expert Simon Calder has issued a crucial update on the ongoing flight disruptions affecting major airlines like Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways, following US-Israeli strikes on Iran that have severely impacted air travel in the Gulf region. Calder described the situation as a crisis that "possibly points the way forward" but warned there is still a long way to go before normal service resumes.
Flight Disruptions and Airspace Closures
Flights to and from the Middle East continue to be severely disrupted due to the strikes, which began over the weekend. Airspace closures in key hubs such as Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi have led to numerous commercial flights being grounded. On Monday, March 2, over a third of scheduled flights to the area were cancelled, leaving tens of thousands of passengers stranded.
Major airlines including British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Qatar Airways, Etihad, and Emirates have cancelled flights. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is currently advising against all but essential travel to the United Arab Emirates, adding to the travel chaos.
Simon Calder's Assessment
In an update on the Independent's Instagram page, travel journalist Simon Calder outlined the grim reality. He stated, "Day three of the crisis in the Gulf has seen all air operations cease at the key hubs, with the latest news not encouraging from the airlines."
Calder highlighted specific airline updates: Qatar Airways has paused further announcements until Tuesday morning, Emirates indicated no flights before 3:00 PM on Monday—which Calder deemed "extremely unlikely"—and Etihad, based in Abu Dhabi, faces similar challenges. He advised travellers to obey Foreign Office guidance and brace for extended disruptions, noting, "If you are booked on Emirates, Etihad, or Qatar Airways, your flight will not be operating today, and I fear it might be some time before we see those planes back in the sky."
Impact on British Citizens
It is estimated that around 300,000 Brits are currently in the Gulf region, with approximately 100,000 potentially requiring evacuation back to the UK. British citizens are being urged to heed local authorities' instructions and monitor the Foreign Office's travel advice closely, as officials anticipate rapid changes.
One proposed solution involves transporting individuals overland to countries like Oman and Saudi Arabia, where flights could be caught back to the UK, as these nations currently have no travel warnings against them.
A Glimmer of Hope
Calder pointed to a potential development overnight: a British Airways Boeing 787 flew from London Heathrow to Muscat, Oman, to retrieve stranded pilots and cabin crew from the UAE. He explained, "This possibly points the way forward, as Muscat has no Foreign Office warning at the moment."
However, Calder noted that passengers were not brought back due to Foreign Office advisories against travel from the UAE. If the crisis persists, he fears an airlift from Muscat or Saudi Arabia might become necessary for those travelling overland from Qatar, underscoring the severity of the situation.
