Flights Disrupted: UAE Hit by Iranian Attacks

Several Flights Canceled in the Region After Iranian Attacks - UAE Aviation Affected Too

Several flights have been canceled from airports in the United Arab Emirates and surrounding countries, after Iran launched missile attacks on U.S. military bases in Qatar and Iraq. In the wake of these events, air traffic experienced immediate disruptions: flights were turned back, some airports were temporarily closed, and passengers were subjected to long waits.

Restricted Airspace, Uncertain Situation

On Monday, the air traffic maps on FlightRadar24 showed a near-complete standstill in the region's airspace. The low density of aircraft over the UAE was particularly striking – in a country that typically ranks among the world's busiest aviation hubs.

The Qatari government announced that it temporarily closed its airspace due to the attacks, maintaining the right to respond. This directly affects all airlines operating flights from the UAE to Qatar – including flydubai, which stated in a press release that it is "closely monitoring the developing situation." The airline emphasized that the safety of passengers and crew is its primary concern.

Canceled and Turned Back Flights

Several passengers reported that their flights were canceled or turned back after takeoff. A SpiceJet flight departing from Pune, for example, was already airborne when it received instructions to return to its departure airport, as it could not use the Dubai air route.

In some cases, passengers were informed even before boarding that the airport would not accept flights temporarily. Others were already on the plane when the pilot announced, "we have not received clearance for airspace use." Some passengers eventually reached their destination, but only with significant delays, and many said they felt lucky to have departed or arrived that night.

Uncertainty Affects Travelers as Well

The events not only disrupted flight schedules but also caused significant concern among travelers. Passengers from Emirates, Etihad, and other local airlines are awaiting developments at the affected airports. Several travel agencies confirmed that they continually monitor the situation and will immediately inform their clients of any possible changes.

Continuously Updating Situation

The situation is dynamically changing, and those planning to travel to or from the UAE in the coming days are strongly advised to regularly check announcements from their airlines and official airport information. The geopolitical tensions in the region can lead to significant disruptions in air traffic in a short time – as these recent events have shown.

(Source of the article: Based on FlightRadar.)