NewKerala.com

British Airways Cancels Middle East Flights Amid Regional Unrest

British Airways has suspended all flights to and from Abu Dhabi until later this year and to several other Middle Eastern cities, including Tel Aviv and Dubai, until later this month. The airline cited continuing uncertainty and airspace instability in the region for the schedule reductions. It is contacting affected customers to provide alternative travel options and has warned travellers to be alert to potential scams. The cancellations occur amid escalating regional tensions following military strikes and retaliatory attacks.

Key Points: BA Cancels Flights to Abu Dhabi, Tel Aviv Over Middle East Unrest

  • Flights to Abu Dhabi cancelled until late 2024
  • Services to Tel Aviv, Dubai, Doha halted this month
  • Airline warns customers of potential scams
  • Repatriation flights offered from Muscat
2 min read

British Airways cancels flights to Abu Dhabi, Tel Aviv

British Airways cancels flights to Abu Dhabi, Tel Aviv, and other Middle Eastern hubs due to regional instability and airspace concerns.

"Due to the continuing uncertainty... we've had to temporarily reduce our flying schedule in the region. - British Airways"

London, March 10

British Airways has temporarily reduced its fleet to and from Abu Dhabi until later this year, citing unrest in the region.

British Airways, in a post on X, cautioned its customers from falling prey to scamsters.

"Due to the continuing uncertainty of the situation in the Middle East and airspace instability, we've had to temporarily reduce our flying schedule in the region. We've cancelled all flights to and from Amman, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai and Tel Aviv until later this month and to and from Abu Dhabi until later this year. We're keeping the situation under constant review and are in touch with our customers to offer them a range of options," the airline warned.

"We have limited seats remaining on our repatriation flights from Oman (Muscat) to London Heathrow on 11 and 12 March for customers with an existing booking. Customers who, in line with FCDO guidance, judge that they can safely make their own way to Muscat, should contact us on +44 203 467 3854 to book onto one of these services," the airline said.

British Airways further said that they are in touch with the customers who continue to be stranded in UAE.

"We're in touch with customers who we believe continue to be in the UAE to support them and provide options for travel to the UK. We're asking customers who've made alternative arrangements to let us know. Information about the evolving situation can be found at ba.com/travelnews. Information about consumer rights can be found at ba.com/helpme. Be alert to potential scams and only rely on official British Airways channels for updates - never click suspicious links or share personal or payment details," it said further.

This comes amid escalating tensions in West Asia after a joint US-Israel military strike on Iranian territory resulted in the death of its Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and other senior figures, prompting a fierce response from Tehran.

In retaliation, Iran launched waves of drone and missile attacks across multiple Arab countries as the conflict continues.

- ANI

Share this article:

Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Safety first, of course. But cancelling until "later this year" for Abu Dhabi? That's a very long time. Shows they have no confidence in the situation stabilizing. Feel for the stranded passengers. 🙏
A
Aman W
The scam warning is important. In times of crisis, fraudsters prey on desperate people. Always check the official website. On another note, this regional instability affects global trade and oil prices, which hits our economy too.
S
Sarah B
A respectful criticism: While the safety concern is valid, the communication seems reactive. Airlines like BA should have more robust crisis management for a region with so much passenger traffic. People are left scrambling.
V
Vikram M
The Middle East is a major transit hub for Indians travelling to Europe and North America. This disruption will have a ripple effect. Hope our government is in touch with airlines to ensure connectivity for our citizens is maintained through other partners.
K
Karthik V
Terrible situation all around. The loss of life reported is tragic. When will these conflicts end? It's always the common people and travellers who suffer the most. Airlines are right to be cautious, but stranded families need more support.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50