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 evening.
Flightradar24, an internet site that tracks flights, reported that the BA109 aircraft 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 had been supposed to depart Heathrow on Sunday had 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 accordance with each Gatwick and Heathrow Airport’s web site, flights to and from the airport to Dubai are persevering with as scheduled.
Nonetheless, 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 instructed The Normal: “Our flights to Dubai and Doha are scheduled to function as regular and our groups proceed to maintain the state of affairs underneath evaluation.
“We’re providing a versatile reserving coverage for these prospects who’re booked onto companies to Dubai and Doha and want to change their dates of journey. These on account 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 cellphone.”
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 in opposition to Israel after the USA hit three nuclear websites in Iran in a single day.
In an announcement, British Airways stated: “On account of current occasions, now we have adjusted our flight schedule to make sure the security of our prospects and crew, which is at all times our prime precedence.
“We’re contacting our prospects to advise them of their choices whereas we work by means of this growing state of affairs.”
Clients who’ve already booked flights to Dubai between Monday and Tuesday and want to modify their journey dates can accomplish that by means of BA’s versatile reserving coverage.
Is it secure to fly to the Center East and the Gulf States?
The International Workplace advises in opposition to all journey to Iran and Iraq. It has not suggested in opposition to journey to the UAE (United Arab Emirates) or the opposite gulf states.
Nonetheless, British guests to the world 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 protection 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 depart.
“Working intently with the Israeli authorities, our workers are persevering with to work at tempo to help British Nationals on the bottom and guarantee they obtain the assist they want.”
Individuals with a legitimate 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, offered they haven’t 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 specifically “have the potential to deteriorate additional, rapidly and with out warning” the International Workplace added, particularly in gentle of the US strikes in opposition to Iran on June 22.
It points a warning in regards to the potential for journey disruptions, similar to sudden closures of airspace and the danger of flight delays or cancellations.
