Flying through the Middle East this week? Then stop right there and double-check your flight details before heading to the airport. The skies over the region are in a bit of a mess, thanks to recent tensions. Airspace closures have thrown flight schedules into chaos, causing cancellations and last-minute route changes all over the place. No need to freak out, though, just stay informed.
Here’s The Complete List Of Airport And Airline Closures And Schedules You Need To Know
List Of Airlines Affected:
Let’s break down which airlines are going through disrupted schedules:
- Emirates has paused flights to Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Iran between 13 and 30 June. That includes cities like Amman, Baghdad, Basra, Beirut, and Tehran.
- Etihad Airways cancelled flights between Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv on 16 June, with some routes like Amman and Beirut being rerouted from the 15th. Delays on Amman-Abu Dhabi flights, too.
- flydubai has stopped flights to Amman, Beirut, Damascus, Iran, and Israel. Some flights even had to turn back mid-air.
- Air Arabia suspended flights to Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Israel, Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan.
- Qatar Airways temporarily cancelled all flights to Iran, Iraq, and Syria.
- Turkish Airlines is rerouting some flights to Baku and Azerbaijan.
- El Al and Israir, Israel’s airlines, suspended operations and moved planes out of the country for safety reasons.
Airport Closures & Updates:
It’s not just the airlines; airports are warning travellers to stay alert:
- Saudi Arabia: Flying from Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, or Madinah? Double-check flight details as plans could change at the last minute.
- Abu Dhabi (Zayed International Airport): Brace for possible delays and cancellations between 16–17 June. Confirm your flight before you leave.
- Dubai (DXB & DWC): Flights to Jordan, Lebanon, Iran, and Iraq are paused. Ring your airline before heading to the airport.
- Qatar (Hamad International Airport): Flights to Baghdad, Erbil, Basra, Najaf, and Damascus could face disruptions. Stay updated from their social media and website.
- Egypt: Good news here, airspace is open and airports are ready for any rerouted flights. Still, keep an ear out for updates.
- Bahrain: Delays and cancellations are possible. Check with your airline before travelling.
- Oman (Muscat International Airport): If your destination is affected, call your airline first to avoid last-minute surprises.
- Jordan, Syria, Lebanon: These skies are slowly reopening. Flights resumed on 15 June, but expect sudden changes.
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What Should You Do?
This situation changes faster than you can expect. Here’s how to stay ahead:
- Regularly check your airline’s and airport’s official websites. Don’t trust old info.
- Confirm your flight status just before leaving.
- Get to the airport early; expect longer queues at check-in and security.
- Stay flexible. Prepare for last-minute changes.
In a nutshell, keep your phone charged, your eyes peeled, and your patience ready. Travel smart, and you’ll get through it just fine.
Cover Image Courtesy: Canva Pro/Jaspe