Airlines diverted many flights across the Middle East on Monday following an Iranian missile attack against a U.S. base in Qatar.
Qatar claimed to have intercepted missiles on the Al Udeid Air Base. Qatar also said that the attack on missiles was not accompanied by any incidents or injuries.
This strike was a significant escalation of the regional conflict and prompted swift reactions from both aviation authorities as well as carriers.
Airspace closures and flight diversions
Cirium Aviation Data reports that Cirium has diverted over 20 commercial flights en route from Doha to Qatar. Four other flights headed for Dubai were also turned around.
Flightradar24, a flight tracking service, reported the temporary closure of airspace above United Arab Emirates. Bahrain closed its airspace temporarily, Reuters reports.
Qatar suspended all flights in its airspace on Monday evening, just before an Iranian missile attack occurred at around 7:45 pm local time.
This move effectively stopped Qatar Airways operations, forcing dozens of other regional airlines, including Etihad Airlines, Emirates and FlyDubai, to abandon their positions.
Bahrain and Kuwait have also implemented similar airspace restrictions.
Airline cancellations and delays
British Airways has announced that it will cancel all flights from Doha to Wednesday due to this situation. They stated, “Security is our top priority.”
Airline said that it will contact affected customers, and continue to monitor developments.
Air France, Iberia and Finnair, among others, had delayed or suspended their plans earlier in the day to resume services to some destinations in this region.
Turkish Airlines has also suspended flights to Gulf Cities, including Dubai.
The suspension of flights in and out Dubai International Airport, the busiest airport for international travel on earth, was temporarily lifted.
Bloomberg reported that an internal note from Emirates stated the lack of availability for westbound routes.
Flightradar24 reported on X that despite the UAE closing its airspace, more than 10 aircraft diverted due to the disruption.
Air traffic impacts on the global economy
Many flights from London, Zurich, and other cities to the Gulf were diverted to alternate airports such as Cairo, India and Belgium.
These diversions are the biggest disruptions to air travel in the region since tensions erupted.
Qatar Airways was severely affected. The airline operates from Doha to more than 170 different destinations.
Singapore Airlines, British Airways and American Airlines are among the global carriers that have cut off services in this region.
United Airlines had already halted flights to Dubai. U.S. Airlines had suspended flights to Israel after that country’s previous strike against Iran.
Wider aviation challenges
Global aviation is already under pressure from the war in Ukraine and now there’s more.
The current conflict in Europe is forcing airlines, like the European situation, to use longer and more expensive routes, which require extra fuel.
As risks continue to escalate, service suspensions are continuing.
The original post Airlines divert flight as Iran attacks US bases in Qatar first appeared on ICD
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