The UK government is planning one of its largest evacuations after more than 76,000 British citizens registered their presence in affected areas of the Middle East. The US and Israeli attack on Iran has caused severe disruption to flights, with countries across the region closing their airspace and three key airports halting operations.
Major transit hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha closed, leading to thousands of flight cancellations by airlines including British Airways and Virgin Atlantic. Dubai’s international airport and the Burj Al Arab hotel sustained damage from Iranian retaliatory strikes, with four people injured. Abu Dhabi’s Zayed international airport reported one death and seven injuries, though the airport later deleted a social media post confirming the incident.
More than 3,400 flights were cancelled across seven main airports in the Middle East on Sunday. The three major airlines operating at these hubs – Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad – suspended flights, affecting about 90,000 passengers daily. Over two-thirds of the 76,000 Britons are believed to be in the UAE, mostly holidaymakers and travellers.
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. The government is looking at all options for evacuation, including via different routes at a later date.
Aviation analysts warn of continued delays and cancellations in the coming days. The situation is changing quickly, and airlines urge passengers to check flight status online. Twenty-four out of 56 flights from Heathrow to Middle Eastern destinations were cancelled on Sunday.
