Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways issue updates as Dubai flights cancelled
Major airlines that operate across the Middle East have issued fresh travel advice for Dubai as the conflict continues to evolve.After the joint US-Israeli Operation Epic Fury was launched on Iran on February 28, parts of the Middle East have erupted into war as Tehran hits back in retaliation.Dubai, Kuwait and Bahrain have been badly hit by Iranian missiles for more than a week, grounding dozens of flights and leaving thousands of UK citizens stranded amid the escalating conflict. Security risks and the threat of drone attacks have forced temporary closures across the airspace.Airlines including Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways have now issued fresh travel advice as the situation continues to shift. While services are gradually resuming, many routes still remain suspended or operating on reduced schedules, reports The Express.Dubai, where flights have been scheduled to bring stranded people home to the UK today, is one country that remains firm on the government's 'no travel list' unless it is essential.The Foreign Office said: "FCDO advises against all but essential travel to United Arab Emirates. Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)." The UK government also warned: "Regional escalation poses significant security risks and has led to travel disruption. Stay away from areas around security or military facilities."Latest airlines updates for DubaiDubai-based airline Emirates said it has begun operating a reduced flight schedule after parts of regional airspace reopened.A spokesperson said: "Customers transiting in Dubai will only be accepted for travel if their connecting flight is operating."Please do not go to the airport unless you hold a confirmed booking for these flights."Meanwhile Etihad Airways, is operating limited flights to London Heathrow and Manchester from Abu Dhabi, but also warned that "all other scheduled commercial services to and from Abu Dhabi remain suspended."Qatar Airways is operating one flight a day to and from London Heathrow to Doha, however "scheduled flight operations remain temporarily suspended due to the closure of Qatari airspace".European airlines latestVirgin Atlantic did restart its flights from both Dubai to the UK. However, a recent 16-hour flight, dubbed the ‘flight to nowhere’, was forced to return to London Heathrow which led to the airline scrapping flights until the end of the season (March 28).Meanwhile, British Airways is currently unable to operate services to Dubai and has instead been running limited flights from Oman to London.Passengers booked on British Airways flights to Dubai before March 15 have been offered the option to change travel dates free of charge or request a full refund.Air France has cancelled flights between Paris and Dubai until March 10, saying operations will resume only after a new safety assessment.KLM has suspended flights to Dubai, Dammam and Riyadh until March 10 and is avoiding several Middle Eastern airspace corridors due to security concerns.Lufthansa has paused flights to Dubai and Abu Dhabi until March 10, with several other Middle East routes also temporarily suspended.Most tour operators are allowing Brits to cancel Dubai holidays for a full refund after the destination was placed on the UK’s “all but essential travel” list.Travel firm Loveholidays has cancelled all trips departing to Dubai, or via Dubai, up to March 15 and is issuing full refunds.Customers with Emirates flights until March 31 can also cancel for a refund, while holidays using Virgin Atlantic flights have been cancelled until the same date.The company has also paused selling Dubai holidays until May, although June departures remain on sale.Meanwhile TUI said customers due to travel to the UAE within the next week will be contacted to discuss their options.On the Beach has also cancelled UAE holidays temporarily and is offering affected travellers a full refund.
