Flights to and from Dubai and Abu Dhabi at Heathrow and Gatwick airports have been cancelled until at least Monday, March 2, due to ongoing instability in the region, according to major airlines. The cancellations affect numerous flights from these key London airports, including the 8:05 AM Qatar Airways flight to Doha and a 9:40 AM Emirates flight to Dubai from Gatwick.
Aviation analytics firm Cirium reported that 24 out of 56 flights scheduled to depart from London Heathrow to various Middle Eastern destinations were cancelled on Sunday. Among the cancelled flights were all three scheduled departures to Israel and two flights bound for Bahrain. The most affected routes included flights to Qatar, with eight out of nine cancelled, and to the United Arab Emirates, where nine out of 17 flights were also cancelled.
Impact of Regional Conflict on Flight Operations
The flight suspensions follow a significant escalation in regional tensions, marked by a US and Israeli military strike against Iran on Saturday morning. This action was described by both nations as a “pre-emptive” measure aimed at curbing Iran’s nuclear ambitions. In response, Iran launched missiles targeting Israel and other countries in the Middle East.
Emirates Airlines provided an update via social media on Sunday morning, stating, “Due to multiple regional airspace closures, Emirates has temporarily suspended all operations to and from Dubai, up until 3 PM UAE time on Monday, March 2.” The airline urged passengers scheduled to fly before or on March 5 to either rebook on an alternate flight or request a refund. “We are actively monitoring the situation and engaging with relevant authorities,” the airline added, emphasizing that the safety and security of passengers and crew is their top priority.
Advice for Passengers from Etihad and Qatar Airways
Etihad Airways also announced that its flights to and from Abu Dhabi would be suspended until 2 AM UAE time on Monday, March 2, due to ongoing airspace closures. The airline advised passengers to verify their flight status on its website before heading to the airport and to ensure their contact information is current in their booking. Passengers holding Etihad tickets for travel up to March 3 can request a full refund. The airline acknowledged a high volume of inquiries and requested patience from customers, noting that the situation is fluid and schedules may change rapidly.
Qatar Airways indicated that its flights remain temporarily suspended due to the closure of Qatari airspace. The airline stated, “Qatar Airways will resume operations once the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority announces the safe reopening of Qatari airspace. A further update will be provided by 9 AM Doha time (6 AM UTC).” Additionally, Qatar Airways warned passengers about scammers impersonating airline staff online, stating, “We are aware of fraudulent accounts impersonating Qatar Airways and requesting personal information. Qatar Airways will never ask for passwords, OTPs, banking details, or other sensitive information via social media or direct messages.”
Travel Advisory for British Nationals
Despite the cancellations, there are still 83 flights scheduled to operate between the UK and the Middle East on Sunday, according to Cirium. In light of the escalating situation, the Foreign Office has advised British nationals currently in Bahrain, Israel, Palestine, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates to register their presence with the UK Government to receive timely updates. A statement from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) noted, “British nationals in Bahrain, Israel, Palestine, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates can register their presence to receive direct updates from the FCDO on the situation in the Middle East. You should continue to follow travel advice and the guidance of local authorities.”
For the latest updates, you can check the news on severe disruptions affecting the Elizabeth Line and Heathrow Express as well as the surge in flight cancellations and power outages.
„`
Bildquelle: ai-variation-gemini
