Saturday, November 16, 2024

Major airlines cancel Dubai flights to UK amid ‘regional unrest’ in the Middle East

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Major airlines have cancelled Dubai flights to and from the UK amid ‘regional unrest’ in the Middle East. 

The warning comes in the wake of escalation after Israel invaded southern Lebanon and Iran launched hundreds of missiles at its sworn enemy.

The UAE airlines Emirates and Flydubai have cancelled flights from Dubai to the UK, Oman and Kuwait, as well as to Iraq, Iran and Jordan.

Emirates later added that all flights to and from Iraq, Iran and Jordan scheduled for Friday and Saturday were also cancelled. 

‘Customers transiting through Dubai with final destinations in Iraq, Iran, and Jordan will not be accepted for travel at their point of origin until further notice,’ Emirates said in a travel update. 

UAE airline Emirates, pictured, has cancelled flights from Dubai to the UK (stock image)

As well as cancelling flights from Dubai to the UK, Flydubai has done the same to Iraq, Iran and Jordan

As well as cancelling flights from Dubai to the UK, Flydubai has done the same to Iraq, Iran and Jordan

Earlier today, the UK government warned holidaymakers that 'terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks' in destinations that welcomes millions of tourists every year. Pictured: the Dubai Palm

Earlier today, the UK government warned holidaymakers that ‘terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks’ in destinations that welcomes millions of tourists every year. Pictured: the Dubai Palm

Which airlines have cancelled flights between the UK and UAE? 

  • Emirates
  • flydubai
  • Qatar Airways (only diverting flights) 

Airlines flying from Europe to the Gulf on Tuesday into Wedensday also experienced some severe disruption, the Independent report, with Emirates and Qatar Airways – the two biggest Middle East carriers – diverting dozens of flights.

In regards to whether the UAE is safe to travel to, the Foreign Office does not warn against flying there, but it has advised British national to stay vigilant.

Earlier today, the UK government issued a terrifying travel warning for Brits, warning holidaymakers that ‘terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks’ in destinations that welcomes millions of tourists every year.

It means popular areas, such as transport networks, beaches, hotels, restaurants and shopping centres could be at risk of an attack in the region in question.

Flights from Dubai to the UAE capital Abu Dhabi are still operational despite the disruptions.

It comes after terrifying footage was taken from the cockpit of a plane flying over the Middle East showing the moment a barrage of Iranian missiles were launched into the night sky on Tuesday evening, as Tehran fired projectiles towards Israel.

Smoke rises above buildings in Beirut, Lebanon on September 27 after an airstrike

Smoke rises above buildings in Beirut, Lebanon on September 27 after an airstrike

People and rescuers gather near the rubble of a building destroyed in the Israeli air strike

People and rescuers gather near the rubble of a building destroyed in the Israeli air strike

According to the New York Post, the video – which shows missiles launching from around Shiraz, Iran – was captured by the pilot of a flight bound for Dubai.

While none of the missiles came into contact with the aircraft, it is clear just how close they were from the plane, suggesting that Iran did not ensure that the airways had been cleared before launching its attack on Israel.

As a result, airlines rushed to divert their flights over the Middle East as Iranian missiles soared towards Israel at around 7:30pm local time.

Flight trackers showed a clearing in the airspace between Iran and Israel as planes flew around both countries to avoid the crossfire.

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