According to Aljazeera , Dubai and Abu Dhabi have cautiously restarted flights, offering a glimmer of hope to travelers stranded by the escalating conflict in the Middle East.
Source: X{@GulfTimes_QATAR}
The region’s airspace remains in turmoil after US and Israeli strikes on Iran, followed by Tehran’s retaliatory attacks, which triggered widespread closures from Iraq to Bahrain.
The Dubai Airports Authority confirmed on Monday that a “small number” of flights could operate at Dubai International Airport and Dubai World Central, warning passengers not to travel unless personally contacted with confirmed schedules. Emirates echoed the message, prioritizing customers with existing bookings, while Etihad Airways announced commercial operations would stay paused until Wednesday, allowing only cargo, repatriation, and select repositioning flights.
Flight tracking website Flightradar24 recorded at least 16 Etihad departures from Abu Dhabi to cities including London, Amsterdam, Moscow, and Riyadh. Emirates flights were seen touching down in Mumbai and Chennai early Tuesday. However, disruptions persist: some Etihad and Emirates flights were diverted mid-route to Oman and India due to operational and safety concerns.
Regional airspace closures intensify travel chaos
Countries across the Middle East, including Iraq, Jordan, Qatar, and Bahrain, have closed their skies, compounding delays. Aviation analyst Tony Stanton explained the broader ripple effect: “Even geographically concentrated disruptions can be severe because they impact crucial east-west corridors, triggering rapid knock-on effects for global travel.”
Cirium data indicates more than 11,000 flights have been cancelled since the weekend, with governments scrambling to evacuate citizens. Germany, for instance, is sending charter planes to Saudi Arabia and Oman to bring home particularly vulnerable travelers.
The longer-term impact on airlines
Experts warn that the airline sector could feel lasting consequences if the conflict drags on. Route networks might be permanently altered, insurers could hike costs, and airlines may shift operations to perceived safer hubs. “You could see entire route maps reset, some services suspended indefinitely, and traffic rerouted to lower-risk corridors,” Stanton added.
For travelers, the message is clear: flexibility is key, patience is essential, and any plans must hinge on direct confirmation from airlines. In the meantime, the Middle East remains a precarious crossroads where geopolitics and air travel collide, leaving thousands in limbo.
{Source: Aljazeera}
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