Airline passengers face journey chaos for days as all UK flights to and from the Middle East are grounded till no less than Monday, with hundreds of travellers stranded.
Flights to and from nations within the Middle East are to stay suspended till Monday because the battle within the area continues, main airways have mentioned.
It comes after US and Israeli forces attacked Iran on Saturday morning in what the 2 nations described as a “pre-emptive” strike towards a Tehran authorities intent on creating nuclear weapons. The assault prompted retaliation from Iran, with missiles reported to have focused Israel and nations throughout the Middle East.
The grounding of flights on the world’s busiest worldwide airports — Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi — means 2,500 flights and about half 1,000,000 individuals affected, as 20,000 individuals sometimes land and depart from these airports each hour on common.
In an announcement revealed on X on Sunday morning, Emirates airline mentioned: “Due to multiple regional airspace closures, Emirates has temporarily suspended all operations to and from Dubai, up until 3pm UAE time on Monday March 2.”
The airline has suggested passengers booked to journey earlier than or on March 5 to rebook on an alternate flight, or request a refund.
Etihad Airways suggested passengers that every one flights to and from Abu Dhabi have been suspended till 2am UAE time on Monday. It suggested travellers to test their flight standing on its web site earlier than travelling to the airport and guarantee their contact particulars are updated of their reserving.
People holding Etihad tickets for journey on dates as much as March 3 can even request a full refund, the airline added.
Qatar Airways mentioned that flights remained briefly suspended as a result of closure of Qatari airspace, and warned holidaymakers towards scammers making an attempt to impersonate Qatar Airways workers.
Virgin Atlantic mentioned on Sunday morning that it’s persevering with to keep away from Iraqi airspace, leading to some pre-planned rerouting of flights between London Heathrow and the area. A spokesperson mentioned that flights between London Heathrow and Dubai had been cancelled on Sunday and Monday, in addition to companies between Heathrow and Riyadh.
A spokesperson added: “We continue to monitor the situation in the Middle East with ongoing dynamic assessments and active changes to our flight routings based on the latest information and guidance, if required.”
There are nonetheless 83 flights scheduled to function between the UK and the Middle East on Sunday, in response to aviation analytics firm Cirium.
Martin Boreham, who had been on vacation in Dubai together with his spouse, was as a consequence of get a flight again to Heathrow on Sunday when the captain informed the passengers the airspace had been closed.
He sat on the tarmac for 3 hours earlier than disembarking and having to return by way of immigration and baggage reclaim.
Speaking to The Independent on Sunday, he mentioned the pair had managed to type a resort for the evening on Saturday and Sunday and have been anticipating an replace on Monday at 3pm. “All very surreal here at the moment,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Foreign Office has suggested British nationals in Bahrain, Israel, Palestine, Qatar and United Arab Emirates to register their presence with the UK authorities to obtain updates on the state of affairs within the Middle East.
In an announcement revealed on X on Saturday evening, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) mentioned: “British nationals in Bahrain, Israel, Palestine, Qatar and 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 advice of the local authorities.”