By Blessing Nweke
A limited number of flights have managed to depart the United Arab Emirates as widespread disruption continues across the region amid the joint Israeli and US war on Iran.
More than 4,000 flights a day have been cancelled across the Middle East, according to flight tracking service Flightradar24, affecting hundreds of thousands of passengers. Ian Petchenik, the company’s director of communications, warned the disruption “will only increase the longer the crisis continues” and would have “enormous repercussions for the industry.”
Aviation analytics firm Cirium reported that 79% of global flights to Qatar and 71% to the UAE were cancelled on Monday morning. Meanwhile, 81% of flights to Israel and 92% to Bahrain were grounded.
UAE national carrier Etihad Airways suspended regular services until Wednesday afternoon, though some ad-hoc departures, including a flight to London Heathrow, operated. Passenger Fay McCaul described scenes at Abu Dhabi Airport as “pretty chaotic,” with sirens sounding and travellers receiving missile alerts during boarding.
Dubai Airports announced a “limited resumption of operations” at Dubai International and Dubai World Central, while Emirates said it would prioritise rebooking customers whose earlier flights were cancelled.
No flights are operating from Doha, as Qatari airspace remains closed. Qatar Airways confirmed its operations are suspended until further notice.
The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said more than 100,000 Britons have registered their presence in the region. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper described the situation as “deeply stressful,” adding the government is working with airlines and regional authorities to support stranded travellers.
Original article
Comments