UAE Airspace Closed Again, Check List of Airlines Cancelling Flights
The aviation crisis in the Middle East has worsened after the United Arab Emirates (UAE) suddenly announced the closure of its airspace on Tuesday 17 March, local time. The decision was taken as an “extraordinary precautionary measure” amidst the intensifying conflict between the United States-Israel coalition and Iran.
This total closure occurred only hours after a previous flight ban had been lifted. Uncertainty once again threatens the world’s busiest international transportation hub.
Two major UAE carriers, Emirates and Etihad, find themselves caught in this uncertainty. Previously, Emirates had resumed operating a “reduced flight schedule” after Dubai’s civil aviation authorities suspended operations following a drone-attack-induced fire near the airport. Similarly, Etihad Airways had been running a “limited commercial flight schedule” from Abu Dhabi, with the airline stating that the decision “was taken through coordination with relevant authorities following an extensive safety and security assessment.” However, with the latest airspace closure on Tuesday morning, the flight status of both carriers remains uncertain again.
The conflict with Iran has forced the closure of various major transportation hubs across the Gulf region. The highly dynamic geopolitical situation means flight schedules can change within hours. Authorities and airlines have advised anyone with imminent travel plans to continuously monitor their flight status independently.
Ensure that you check your airline’s official website or mobile application before heading to the airport to confirm whether your flight has been altered or completely cancelled due to this airspace closure. One of the first Emirates flights from Denpasar to Dubai following the airspace closure and the Middle East conflict between the US-Israel and Iran coalition took off. Approximately 1,631 passengers at Bali’s Ngurah Rai Airport have been affected by the Middle East airspace closure. Two Emirates flights heading to Dubai from Indonesia were diverted following the temporary closure of Dubai Airport. The UAE has experienced an escalation of air strikes from Iran. One civilian has been killed, airport operations have been disrupted, and oil refineries have caught fire. An air strike hit a building in Dubai. The building was reportedly struck by fragments from a projectile that was successfully intercepted by air defence systems. Production declines in the first three countries are approximately one-fifth of their total January production, and in Iraq this reached 70 per cent, according to the report. The UAE has firmly denied Bloomberg reports regarding depleting air defence missile reserves amidst the US-Israel versus Iran conflict.