Multiple major airlines have grounded flights into and out of key Gulf hubs after the United States and Israel launched military strikes on Iran and Tehran retaliated with a wave of strikes in several parts of the Middle East. Karryon reports on the US/Israel-Iran strikes and their impact on travel.
Following the two-way strikes, at least eight Middle Eastern nations – including Iran, Israel, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates – closed their airspace, Al Jazeera reported.
According to CNN, explosions from retaliatory attacks have been heard across the Gulf region, including in the UAE, Qatar, Jordan and Bahrain, all of which host US military bases.
Airline updates
Emirates: With explosions heard on the beaches of Dubai, Emirates says it has “temporarily suspended operations” to and from its home base.
“Due to multiple regional airspace closures, Emirates has temporarily suspended operations to and from Dubai,” it stated in an update late Saturday.
“Emirates urges customers to check their flight status on emirates.com for the latest updates before proceeding to the airport.
“We are assisting them with rebooking, refunds, or alternative travel arrangements.”
Qatar Airways: With the closure of Qatari airspace, Qatar Airways has confirmed the “temporary suspension” of flights to and from Doha.
“The airline is working closely with government stakeholders and the relevant authorities to support impacted passengers and will resume operations when the airspace re-opens,” it added.
Even when flights resume, the carrier expects “delays to our flight schedule”.
“We have also deployed additional ground staff at Hamad International Airport and other key airports to assist affected passengers,” it noted.
Virgin Australia: Following the attacks, the airline issued an alert stating that its flights between Australia and Doha (operated by Qatar Airways) have been impacted by the closure of Qatari airspace.
“Guests scheduled to travel between Australia and Doha in the coming days are advised to closely monitor their flight information,” it added.
Etihad Airways: With regional airspace closures, Etihad Airways said it is “experiencing disruption to some of its flight services to and from Abu Dhabi”.
“Some flights have been cancelled and others are subject to delay,” it stated.
“This remains a highly dynamic situation and further changes may occur at short notice.”
The airline noted that it would only fly in approved airspace “when it is safe to do so”.
It is also making special provisions for impacted customers.
Gulf Air: Explosions have been heard and smoke has been seen in Bahrain. Its national carrier said it is “experiencing disruption” to flights in the capital, Manama.
“Some flights are subject to delay,” it added.
“This remains a highly dynamic situation and further changes may occur at short notice.”
Royal Jordanian: With explosions and missile interceptions reported in Jordan, many Royal Jordanian flights have been cancelled.
But the carrier stated that “RJ operations will proceed normally as long as Jordanian airspace remains open”.
Oman Air: The Oneworld member airline said on X that flights to/from Amman (AMM), Khasab (KHS) and Moscow (SVO) are cancelled until further notice “due to the evolving regional situation”.
“Flights to/from Dubai (DXB), Bahrain (BAH), Doha (DOH), Dammam (DMM) and Kuwait (KWI) are temporarily suspended,” it added.
Australian advice
Following the outbreak of hostilities, the Australian Government immediately issued fresh advice for travel to large parts of the Middle East, upping its travel alert levels to several countries in the region to the highest level (four): “Do not travel”.
Among the nations now considered no-go zones are the UAE (Including Dubai and Abu Dhabi), Qatar, Lebanon, Kuwait, Bahrain and Israel, joining Iran, Syria and Yemen.
“Due to the volatile security situation in the region and military strikes in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), we’ve raised our level of advice for the UAE to do not travel,” DFAT states in its advice for the UAE on the Smartraveller website.
“Retaliatory strikes are occurring following military strikes on Iran. Military conflict in the region may result in widespread movement restrictions, airspace closures, flight cancellations and other travel disruptions.”
Similar advice has been issued for most of the countries in the region.
“Australian officials and dependants are sheltering in place during strikes. Prioritise your safety, monitor events and follow local advice, including instructions to shelter in place,” it adds.
Elsewhere, DFAT has raised the level of its advice for Jordan, recommending that Aussies “reconsider your need to travel” (level three).
Persian Gulf nations Oman and Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, remain at “Exercise a high degree of caution” (level two).
Earlier this week, the Australian Government raised the threat levels across five countries in the Middle East, foreshadowing the latest advice.
KARRYON UNPACKS: Gulf skies have shut down fast, with Emirates and Qatar among those grounding hubs, while DFAT has lifted multiple nations to “Do not travel”. For Australian travel advisors, this is crisis management territory – rebookings, risk conversations and heightened duty of care now front and centre.
