AMID the chaos of the escalating conflict in the Middle East, several flights to and from Dubai have been cancelled or delayed.
Here we take a look at whether it is safe to travel to the area, which airlines are affected and how flight paths have changed so far.
Are flights going to and from Dubai?
Flights are still operating to and from Dubai, but with significant disruptions due to the spiralling regional tensions.
Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest for international travel, is experiencing cancellations and delays.
Airlines cancelling and diverting flights
Several major airlines have been affected:
- Emirates cancelled all flights to and from Iraq, Iran and Jordan between Wednesday, October 2, 2024 and Saturday, October 5.
- Flydubai has also cancelled flights to these destinations.
- Emirates has suspended routes to and from Beirut until Tuesday, October 8, while Flydubai has suspended them until Monday, October 7.
- British Airways, Lufthansa and Swiss Air have diverted flights headed to Dubai and other Middle Eastern destinations.
- Etihad Airways is rerouting flights and warning of likely delays and cancellations.
Safety of travelling to Dubai
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) does not advise against travel to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), including Dubai.
However, they recommend staying vigilant, stating: “Terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in the UAE”.
The FCDO further advises: “Ongoing hostilities between Israel and Lebanon could escalate quickly and pose risks for the wider region. Monitor this travel advice and other media as the situation is changing fast”.
They also note that “Military activity in the Red Sea area” poses a security risk, with the “possibility that Travel Advice for nearby countries could change at short notice”.
Changes in flight paths
Flight paths changed significantly on Tuesday, October 1, 2024. Here are the diversions which were put in place:
- Many flights avoided airspace over Iran, Israel, Jordan, Iraq and Lebanon.
- Airlines diverted flights through alternative routes, which led to longer flight times.
- Traffic became dense over Istanbul, Cairo, and Antalya as flights rerouted to avoid certain areas.
- Some flights took wide arcs to the north and south to avoid affected airspace.
- These diversions added several hours to flight times.
According to FlightRadar, 81 flights were diverted by 16 airlines on October 1, when Iran launched its attack on Israel.
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Additional travel advice
Visitors should remember to respect local laws when travelling in the UAE.
The FCDO advises: “Take care when walking or travelling alone, and use a reputable taxi company, particularly if you are female, and at night. Do not accept lifts from strangers”.
Travellers should also be aware that UAE airports have strict security measures for detecting illegal items, including in transit passengers’ baggage.
Even residual trace amounts of illegal drugs can lead to arrest and imprisonment.
Those flying within the region are strongly advised to check with their airlines for the most up-to-date information and to be prepared for potential last-minute changes or extended delays.