Airspace restrictions in the Middle East have caused a significant number of commercial flights worldwide to be grounded. This disruption is the most extensive since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, with 1,555 flights to the Middle East canceled by 10 am today. The situation worsened over the weekend, with 2,800 flights canceled on Saturday and 3,156 on Sunday. Flight tracking data shows that airspace over Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Israel, Bahrain, the UAE, and Qatar remained largely empty on Monday.
Many British travelers are awaiting updates on their return to the UK, especially those flying with airlines serving UAE destinations like Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Wizz Air, one of the major airlines, has suspended flights to and from various Middle Eastern locations until March 7.
British Airways (BA) has also canceled several flights to the Middle East for safety reasons. They are allowing passengers to change their flight dates free of charge or request a refund for specific travel dates.
Emirates initially suspended operations to and from Dubai until Tuesday afternoon but later announced limited flight operations starting Monday evening. Passengers affected by these changes will be contacted directly by the airline.
Efforts are underway to potentially evacuate over 100,000 British nationals from the Middle East. The Foreign Secretary disclosed that a significant number of British citizens are in Gulf countries that are facing airspace closures. Officials advise Brits to follow local authorities’ instructions and stay updated on travel advice from the Foreign Office.
Registration with the Foreign Office is encouraged for British citizens in Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Palestine, Qatar, and the UAE. This registration scheme enables the government to provide timely updates during international crises.
Plans for any evacuation would likely be coordinated by the Foreign Office, with potential routes involving overland travel to Saudi Arabia for return flights. The Civil Aviation Authority has managed large-scale repatriations in the past, indicating experience in handling such situations.
