Flights between the United Kingdom and several Middle Eastern destinations will remain suspended until Monday as regional tensions continue to disrupt air travel, major airlines have confirmed.
The disruption follows coordinated strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran on Saturday, described by both governments as “pre-emptive” actions aimed at countering alleged nuclear weapons development. Iran subsequently launched retaliatory missile attacks targeting Israel and other locations across the region, prompting widespread airspace closures.
In a statement issued Sunday, Etihad Airways said flights to and from Abu Dhabi are suspended until 2 a.m. UAE time on Monday, March 2, due to ongoing regional airspace restrictions. The airline advised passengers booked to travel before or on March 5 to rebook on alternative services or request a refund.
“Regional airspace closures continue to impact Etihad’s operations,” the airline said, urging customers to check flight status updates online before heading to the airport and to ensure their contact details are current.
Etihad added that passengers holding tickets for travel through March 3 may request a full refund. The airline acknowledged high call volumes and warned that response times may be longer than usual. “The safety and security of our passengers and crew remain our highest priority,” it stated, noting that schedules could change at short notice as the situation evolves.
Qatar Airways also confirmed that flights remain temporarily suspended following the closure of Qatari airspace. The carrier said operations would resume once the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority confirms it is safe to do so, with further updates expected.
In addition, Qatar Airways warned passengers about fraudulent online accounts impersonating airline representatives and requesting sensitive personal information.
Despite the disruption, aviation analytics firm Cirium reported that 83 flights were still scheduled to operate between the UK and the Middle East on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the UK Foreign Office has advised British nationals in Bahrain, Israel, Palestine, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates to register their presence and follow official travel guidance as the regional crisis unfolds.
