By Our Reporter
Several major airlines have suspended or cancelled flights to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar and other Middle Eastern destinations after countries including the UAE and Qatar closed their airspace.
The flight suspensions come amid a sharp escalation in regional tensions in the Gulf following coordinated military strikes by the United States and Israel on targets inside Iran, which triggered retaliatory missile and drone attacks across parts of the Middle East. The involvement of the United States — both through direct military action and its strategic presence in the region — has heightened security concerns and raised fears of further escalation.
The closures have prompted a significant disruption in international air travel and forced carriers to adjust operations, prioritising safety.
In the UAE, authorities temporarily closed the airspace over key hubs including Dubai and Sharjah. As a result, several airlines have halted flights to and from these destinations.
...
By Our Reporter
Several major airlines have suspended or cancelled flights to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar and other Middle Eastern destinations after countries including the UAE and Qatar closed their airspace.
The flight suspensions come amid a sharp escalation in regional tensions in the Gulf following coordinated military strikes by the United States and Israel on targets inside Iran, which triggered retaliatory missile and drone attacks across parts of the Middle East. The involvement of the United States — both through direct military action and its strategic presence in the region — has heightened security concerns and raised fears of further escalation.
The closures have prompted a significant disruption in international air travel and forced carriers to adjust operations, prioritising safety.
In the UAE, authorities temporarily closed the airspace over key hubs including Dubai and Sharjah. As a result, several airlines have halted flights to and from these destinations.
Kenya Airways confirmed it has suspended all flights to Dubai and Sharjah, cancelling scheduled services including passenger flights KQ310 and KQ305 as well as associated cargo operations, until further notice. The airline emphasised that the suspension is linked to the UAE’s airspace restrictions and prioritises the safety of passengers and crew.
Regional carriers have also been affected. Qatar Airways announced the temporary suspension of all flights to and from Doha due to the closure of Qatari airspace. The airline said it will resume operations once the airspace re-opens but anticipates delays as schedules are adjusted.
Middle Eastern airlines such as Emirates and its sister low-cost carrier flydubai have temporarily suspended operations in and out of the UAE, while other carriers based in the region are monitoring developments and working with authorities to manage affected passengers.
International carriers have also taken precautionary measures. Turkish Airlines has cancelled flights to several Middle Eastern countries, including Qatar and the UAE, as ongoing airspace closures complicate safe flight paths. European and Asian airlines have similarly adjusted schedules, cancelling or rerouting flights to avoid closed airspace.
The disruptions follow regional military developments that have led governments to restrict or close their aviation corridors as a safety precaution. Airlines impacted by these measures are advising travellers to stay in contact with their carriers for the latest flight status and assistance with rebooking or refunds.
