The US-Israeli war with Iran continues to cause major travel problems in the Middle East, with airspace closures leading to huge numbers of flight cancellations, rerouted journeys, and delays.
Brits who are planning trips to the region are being told to review their travel plans, with the Foreign Office warning against travel to the UAE and urging those already in destinations like Dubai and Qatar to shelter in place and to limit movements to essential journeys only.
Global aviation has been thrust into turmoil over the last two weeks after the US and Israel bombed Iran, prompting retaliatory strikes across the region.
On Monday, Dubai International Airport was shut down following a nearby drone strike hit a fuel tank.
Many Emirates flights already in the air were diverted, while others waiting to take off were cancelled.
Dubai International Airport said at 6.11am that flights were “gradually resuming to selected destinations, ” while it remains unclear whether the drone was intercepted or what its intended target may have been.
Meanwhile, a number of operators continue to cancel services to and from destinations in the Middle East.
British Airways has announced it would be drastically reducing its flight schedule to the region.
A BA statement read: “Due to the continuing uncertainty of the situation in the Middle East and airspace instability, we’ve had to temporarily reduce our flying schedule in the region.
“We’ve cancelled all flights to and from Amman, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai and Tel Aviv until later this month and to and from Abu Dhabi until later this year."
All British Airways flights to Middle Eastern destinations other than Abu Dhabi are now cancelled until at least March 28.
The airline has been operating a limited number of repatriation flights from Muscat to London Heathrow, but announced it would pause these flights after March 12 due to reduced demand.
Virgin Atlantic and KLM have also announced they would be cancelling all flights to and from Dubai, citing the ongoing geopolitical unrest.
Other major airlines such as Etihad, Emirates, Saudi Airlines and Qatar Airways are still operating limited repatriation flights to and from the region.
Emirates announced that they expect to bring back full network operations soon, posting on X: “The airline anticipates a return to 100 per cent of its network within the coming days, subject to airspace availability and the fulfilment of all operational requirements.
UK government-chartered flights have also been repatriating UK nationals from the Middle East, with more than 40,000 British nationals returning to the UK since March 1 according to the government.
As long as airspace restrictions remain in place, the authorities, airlines and airports are strongly advising passengers not to travel to the airport unless they have a confirmed booking.
A statement from Dubai Airports reads: “Dubai Airports continues to closely monitor the situation in coordination with relevant authorities and our focus remains on maintaining the highest standards of operational safety, security, and wellbeing of passengers and staff. We appreciate your patience and understanding.”
Cancelled flights from the UAE to London
Monday March 16:
11:40 Dubai to London Gatwick - Emirates
13:50 Dubai to London Heathrow - Emirates
15:20 Dubai to London Heathrow - Virgin Atlantic
Cancelled flights from London to UAE
Monday March 16:
13:35 London Gatwick to Dubai - Emirates
15:50 London Heathrow to Dubai - Emirates
22:10 London Heathrow to Dubai - Virgin Atlantic
Cancelled flights from elsewhere in the Middle East to London
Monday March 16:
7:40 Riyadh to London Heathrow - Virgin Atlantic
14:15 Amman to London Heathrow - Royal Jordanian
Cancelled flights from London to the Middle East
Monday March 16:
15:35 London Heathrow to Amman - Royal Jordanian
Scheduled flights to London from Middle East
Tuesday March 17:
05:15 Riyadh to London Heathrow - British Airways
06:15 Bahrain to London Heathrow - British Airways (cancelled)
06:40 Abu Dhabi to London Heathrow - Etihad Airways
07:10 Dubai to London Heathrow - Emirates
07:30 Riyadh to London Heathrow - Saudia
07:30 Riyadh to London Heathrow - Riyadh Air
10:45 Beirut to London Heathrow - MEA
11:40 Dubai to London Heathrow - Emirates
12:15 Jeddah to London Heathrow - Saudia
12:35 Tel Aviv to London Heathrow - El Al
13:45 Kuwait to London Heathrow - Kuwait Airways (cancelled)
13:50 Dubai to London Heathrow - Emirates
14:15 Riyadh to London Heathrow - Saudia
14:25 Muscat to London Heathrow - Oman Air
14:45 Amman to London Heathrow - Royal Jordanian
14:45 Dammam to London Heathrow - Gulf Air
16:10 Dubai to London Heathrow - Emirates
17:10 Riyadh to London Heathrow - Saudia
17:35 Doha to London Heathrow - Qatar Airways
18:20 Dubai to London Heathrow - Emirates
18:25 Muscat to London Heathrow - Oman Air
18:30 Abu Dhabi to London Heathrow - Etihad
18:55 Doha to London Heathrow - Qatar Airways
20:00 Dubai to London Heathrow - Emirates
20:20 Dammam to London Heathrow - Saudia
Scheduled flights from London to the Middle East
Tuesday March 17:
08:50 London Heathrow to Abu Dhabi - Etihad Airways
09:10 London Heathrow to Dubai - Emirates
09:30 London Heathrow to Riyadh - Riyadh Air
10:00 London Heathrow to Riyadh - Saudia
12:10 London Heathrow to Beirut - MEA
13:25 London Heathrow to Riyadh - British Airways
13:40 London Heathrow to Dubai - Emirates
14:15 London Heathrow to Jeddah - Saudia
14:20 London Heathrow to Tel Aviv - El Al
15:45 London Heathrow to Kuwait - Kuwait Airways (cancelled)
15:50 London Heathrow to Dubai - Emirates
15:55 London Heathrow to Muscat - Oman Air
16:05 London Heathrow to Amman - Royal Jordanian
16:15 London Heathrow to Riyadh - Saudia
18:50 London Heathrow to Riyadh - Saudia
19:00 London Heathrow to Dubai - Emirates
20:05 London Heathrow to Muscat - Oman Air
20:10 London Heathrow to Abu Dhabi - Etihad Airways
20:10 London Heathrow to Doha - Qatar Airways
20:20 London Heathrow to Dubai - Emirates
20:20 London Heathrow to Jeddah - British Airways
21:00 London Heathrow to Doha - Qatar Airways
21:50 London Heathrow to Dammam - Gulf Air
22:05 London Heathrow to Doha - Qatar Airways
22:05 London Heathrow to Jeddah - Saudia
