Gulf carriers commence reduced schedules to airlift stranded passengers from region

Gulf carriers have restarted reduced schedules in an attempt to airlift hundreds of thousands of travellers stranded in the region amid the ongoing US, Israel and Iran conflict. 

 

Emirates confirmed a reduced flight schedule was operating from Dubai with the “limited” re-opening of airspace.

 

Flights have resumed across the airline’s global network, including to Birmingham, Edinburgh, Gatwick, Heathrow, Manchester and Dublin together with a range of points across Europe.

 

Services covering destinations in Asia, Australia and New Zealand are also part of the revised flight plan operating yesterday (Thursday) and today, which will help travellers attempting to transit via Dubai.

 

Emirates said: “We are accommodating customers with earlier bookings as a priority.

 

“Customers transiting in Dubai will only be accepted for travel if their connecting flight is operating.” 

 

Passengers were urged not to go to the airport unless they have a confirmed booking.  

 

“Emirates continues to monitor the situation, and we will develop our operational schedule accordingly,” the carrier added.

 

“The latest flight updates will be published on our website. The safety and security of our passengers and crew remain our highest priority.”

   

Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways is also resuming a reduced schedule from today through to March 19 to a number of key destinations.

 

These include Heathrow, Manchester and Dublin.

 

“The decision has been taken in coordination with relevant authorities following extensive safety and security assessments,” the airline said.

 

“Etihad continues to monitor the situation closely and will only operate flights once all safety criteria are met.”

 

Etihad cautioned that all services “remain subject to operational approvals and may be adjusted depending on regional airspace conditions,” adding that not all destinations will be operated on a daily basis.

 

The limited resumption came as Qatar Airways said it was “working around the clock” to organise some relief flights “where operationally possible” due to airspace closures across the region.

 

The update followed services introduced from Muscat in Oman to Heathrow and other points in Europe yesterday.

 

Virgin Atlantic said it intends to operate its flying programme as planned “provided it remains safe to do so” following “extensive and ongoing safety and security assessments, and in line with guidance from international aviation authorities”.

 

The airline added: “We continue to monitor the situation closely and will make changes at short notice if required.

 

“Some flights are currently operating on adjusted routings, which may result in slightly longer flight times.”

 

The latest efforts came after UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer revealed that 140,000 Britons had registered their presence in the region and more than 4,000 had been returned to the UK, including on a delayed government charter flight from Oman.

 

He confirmed that further charter flights would be laid on and that British Airways was putting on daily flights from Oman – although the airline confirmed that the next departure from Muscat on March 8 was already fully booked.

 

Oman Air cancelled a raft of services across the region and to Copenhagen between today and Sunday due to regional airspace closures but said all other flights were operating as scheduled, although some delays “may be expected”.  

 

Tui UK & Ireland provided an update on the Middle East situation to say: “Our priority is the safe return of our customers to the UK and we are working closely with airline partners to monitor developments.

 

“A limited number of flights have begun operating, and we are continuing to work with airlines to secure travel arrangements for affected customers. 

 

“Customers will be contacted directly as further travel options become available.”

 

For those due to travel to the UAE or Qatar, the company said: “Due to airspace restrictions in parts of the region, flights to and from the UK have been impacted and may experience delays or cancellations.

 

“If you are due to travel within the next seven days, our pre-travel team will contact you ahead of your departure date to discuss your options. We are working through bookings in departure date order.”

 

Referring to its wider holiday programme, Tui said: “We’d like to reassure customers that their safety and wellbeing remain our highest priority.

 

“We are closely monitoring the evolving situation in the Middle East, as well as the latest guidance issued by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

 

“There is currently no FCDO advice against travel to the destinations where we are operating. Holidays are continuing as planned, and customers in resort are enjoying their breaks as normal.

 

“We continually review all FCDO updates, and if any changes to travel advice affect upcoming holidays, we will contact impacted customers directly.

 

“Tui will never operate holidays to any destination or region where the FCDO advises against all but essential travel.”