Key Developments in Regional Air Travel
Oman Air has played a significant role in facilitating travel for passengers affected by the ongoing airspace closures in the region. Muscat International Airport, located in Oman’s capital city, has become a crucial transit point for those unable to depart from the UAE. Over the past week, the airline has operated nearly 80 extra flights, helping more than 97,000 passengers return home. The airline has stated that it will continue to add extra frequencies where operationally possible. In addition, bus support services have been made available for travelers crossing the land border from the UAE to Oman to catch onward flights.
Despite these efforts, some flights remain affected. Oman Air has confirmed that flights to and from several key destinations, including Amman, Dubai, Bahrain, Doha, Dammam, Kuwait, Copenhagen, Baghdad, and Khasab, are canceled from 9 to 15 March.
Qatar Airways Resumes Limited Operations
After more than a week of disruptions due to the conflict between the US and Iran, Qatar Airways has resumed repatriation flights from Hamad International Airport in Doha. The airline has outlined its schedule for the upcoming days, with flights departing from Doha on Monday, 9 March, to several international destinations such as Seoul, Moscow, London Heathrow, Delhi, Madrid, Islamabad, Beijing, Perth, and Nairobi. On Tuesday, 10 March, additional departures include Cairo, London Heathrow, Jeddah, Manila, Kochi, Muscat, Istanbul, Mumbai, Delhi, Nairobi, Islamabad, Madrid, Frankfurt, Colombo, and Milan.
Flights arriving in Doha from similar locations will also be operating. However, the airline emphasized that these flights do not confirm the full resumption of scheduled commercial operations. Up to 8,000 passengers were reported to be stranded in Qatar, with the government covering hotel costs and extending their visas.
Emirates and Etihad Restart Limited Schedules
Emirates has begun to restore its flight network following the partial re-opening of regional airspace in the UAE. The Dubai-based carrier has been operating a reduced schedule while working toward full capacity. On Thursday, the airline carried approximately 30,000 passengers out of Dubai. Emirates anticipates returning to 100% of its network within the coming days, subject to airspace availability and operational requirements. Passengers with prior bookings are being prioritized, and they should only proceed to the airport if they have confirmed reservations.
A temporary disruption occurred at Dubai International Airport when a drone attack near the main terminals caused operations to be suspended. Black smoke was seen rising over the airport after a loud boom, according to eyewitnesses. Operations resumed hours later.
Etihad Airways has also restarted a limited flight schedule from Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi. The airline has listed over 70 destinations planned for flights between 6 and 19 March. Guests with previous bookings will be accommodated as soon as possible.
Airlines Update Middle East Schedules
Air India and Air India Express have announced plans to operate a total of 10 flights to and from Jeddah in Saudi Arabia on 9 March. Additionally, Air India Express will operate 14 flights to and from Muscat in Oman. These flights include round-trip services from several Indian cities to Jeddah and Muscat.
Virgin Atlantic has suspended flights to and from Dubai until 28 March and is pausing operations from Riyadh for an initial period of two weeks starting on 8 March. Saudia has partially resumed operations to and from Dubai, but flights to and from Amman, Kuwait, Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Bahrain are extended until 10 March.
British Airways has scheduled further flights from Muscat to London Heathrow on 9, 10, 11, and 12 March. Finnair is preparing special flights from Muscat to Helsinki to transport around 1,200 customers currently in Dubai. The first flight is scheduled for 10 March, with more flights planned for later in the week.
Air Arabia has started limited flights to and from the UAE, subject to approvals. Wizz Air has suspended all flights to and from Israel, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Amman up to and including 15 March. Turkish Airlines has canceled flights to several destinations, including Bahrain, Dammam, and Riyadh.
Global Airlines Adjust Operations
Air France is monitoring the situation in real-time and has extended the suspension of flights to and from Dubai and Riyadh until 10 March. Flights to and from Tel Aviv and Beirut are extended until 11 March. KLM is not flying through the airspace of Iran, Iraq, and Israel, nor over several Gulf countries. Its Tel Aviv flights are suspended for the remainder of its winter season, and flights to and from Dammam, Dubai, and Riyadh are suspended until 10 March.
Lufthansa Group airlines have suspended flights to and from multiple destinations, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Dammam, Amman, Erbil, Tel Aviv, Beirut, and Tehran. Flights to Larnaca in Cyprus will resume on 7 March. Air Canada has suspended all flights to and from Dubai and Tel Aviv, with resumption planned for 23 March.
Garuda Indonesia has temporarily suspended flights to and from Doha “until further notice.”
