A glimmer of hope emerged for travellers stranded in the Middle East as a few international airlines cautiously resumed operations, offering a much-needed respite amidst the aviation chaos triggered by the US-Israel-Iran conflict.
Etihad Airways, Emirates, and Flydubai, all based in the United Arab Emirates, announced the resumption of select flights, providing a limited yet crucial lifeline for those affected by the airspace closures.
Dubai's government advised passengers to head to airports only if directly contacted, emphasizing the gradual and cautious nature of the resumption. According to FlightAware, over 80% of flights to and from Dubai and more than half of those to and from Abu Dhabi remained grounded, highlighting the scale of the disruption.
But here's where it gets controversial... Some airlines, like Etihad, acknowledged that only certain types of flights would operate, including repositioning, cargo, and repatriation flights, subject to strict approvals.
At least 15 Etihad flights departed from Abu Dhabi on Monday, offering evacuation for stranded passengers to destinations like Islamabad, Paris, and London. Meanwhile, Emirates began operating a limited number of flights, prioritizing customers with earlier bookings.
And this is the part most people miss... While these flights brought a sense of relief, they were far from a return to normalcy. Regular commercial flights remained cancelled, and the situation remained fluid, with airlines closely monitoring and adjusting schedules.
The impact of the conflict extended beyond the UAE, affecting travel hubs like Dubai International Airport, Abu Dhabi's Zayed International Airport, and Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar. These airports, crucial for travel between Europe, Africa, and Asia, were directly hit by Iranian strikes, leaving hundreds of thousands of travellers stranded across multiple countries.
Airlines Affected:
- Indian airlines resumed limited commercial services to the Middle East, aiming to collect stranded passengers.
- IndiGo operated return flights to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, as part of efforts to normalize operations.
- Air India Express resumed flights to Muscat, Oman, but services to Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE remained suspended.
- Budget carriers like Akasa Air and Flydubai operated select flights to Jeddah.
- Oman Air cancelled flights to several destinations, including Amman, Dubai, and Doha.
- Saudia cancelled flights to Amman, Kuwait, Dubai, and more until March 4th.
- Low-cost carriers like Wizz Air and Norwegian suspended flights to Israel, Dubai, and Saudi Arabia.
- Turkish Airlines cancelled flights to Bahrain, Riyadh, Iran, Iraq, and more.
- Air France, KLM, British Airways, Lufthansa Group, and Finnair also cancelled or adjusted flights to various Middle Eastern destinations.
The situation remains complex, with airlines navigating a delicate balance between safety, operational feasibility, and the urgent need to reunite travellers with their destinations.
What are your thoughts on the impact of geopolitical tensions on global travel? Do you think airlines are handling the situation effectively? Feel free to share your opinions and experiences in the comments below!
