Flights to Dubai within the UAE and Doha in Qatar were suspended over the weekend within the wake of bombing raids within the Center East.
It started with a British Airways (BA) flight from London Heathrow to Dubai being diverted to Zurich on Saturday night time.
Flightradar24, an internet site that tracks flights, reported that the BA109 airplane left the UK at 9:53pm on Saturday and arrived in Saudi Arabia earlier than the Boeing 787 Dreamliner altered its route and touched down in Switzerland.
The airline then introduced that every one of its flights, together with return flights, to Dubai and Doha that have been supposed to go away Heathrow on Sunday have been cancelled.
However are flights to Dubai nonetheless cancelled and is it secure to fly to the Center East proper now?
Are flights to Dubai and Qatar nonetheless cancelled?
In keeping with each Gatwick and Heathrow Airport’s web site, flights to and from the airport to Dubai are persevering with as scheduled.
Nevertheless, the BA flight for Qatar scheduled to depart Heathrow at 1:45pm was cancelled – though all different flights are operational on the time of writing.
Flights to Dubai from Stansted Airport from Monday onwards are additionally confirmed to go forward.
A BA spokesperson advised The Customary: “Our flights to Dubai and Doha are scheduled to function as regular and our groups proceed to maintain the scenario beneath evaluate.
“We’re providing a versatile reserving coverage for these clients who’re booked onto companies to Dubai and Doha and want to change their dates of journey. These because of journey between now and 24 June 2025 can rebook onto a later flight as much as and together with 6 July 2025, freed from cost, by contacting us by telephone.”
Following the US assaults, Israel declared on Sunday that it has blocked all flights getting into and leaving its airspace.
Tehran launched a volley of ballistic missiles in retaliation towards Israel after the USA hit three nuclear websites in Iran in a single day.
In an announcement, British Airways stated: “Because of latest occasions, we now have adjusted our flight schedule to make sure the protection of our clients and crew, which is all the time our high precedence.
“We’re contacting our clients to advise them of their choices whereas we work by way of this growing scenario.”
Prospects who’ve already booked flights to Dubai between Monday and Tuesday and want to modify their journey dates can accomplish that by way of BA’s versatile reserving coverage.
Is it secure to fly to the Center East and the Gulf States?
The International Workplace advises towards all journey to Iran and Iraq. It has not suggested towards journey to the UAE (United Arab Emirates) or the opposite gulf states.
Nevertheless, British guests to the realm are suggested to remain knowledgeable about native and international information, be cautious and comply with native authorities’ directions, and ensure with their airline earlier than departing.
A spokesperson for the International Workplace (FCDO) stated: “This can be a perilous and unstable second for the Center East.
“The security of British Nationals in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories continues to be our utmost precedence – that’s why the UK Authorities is making ready flights to assist these wanting to go away.
“Working intently with the Israeli authorities, our employees are persevering with to work at tempo to help British Nationals on the bottom and guarantee they obtain the assist they want.”
Folks with a sound or expired Israeli visa or stamp of their passport “should not face difficulties getting into the UAE” as of June 22, in line with the UK International Workplace, supplied they don’t have any plans to work.
“Additional checks could also be wanted and there’s a threat you could be refused entry,” the recommendation reads.
“In case you are a British-Israeli twin nationwide and have any considerations about getting into the UAE, contact the UAE Embassy within the UK.”
“Ongoing hostilities within the area” and between Israel and Iran particularly “have the potential to deteriorate additional, shortly and with out warning” the International Workplace added, particularly in gentle of the US strikes towards Iran on June 22.
It points a warning concerning the potential for journey disruptions, similar to sudden closures of airspace and the chance of flight delays or cancellations.
