Global Airlines Cancel Middle East Flights as Iran Tension Escalates

Some countries, including Iran, Iraq and Israel, have also closed their airspaces to civilian traffic.

Meanwhile, Dubai Airports confirmed the suspension of all flight operations at Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC) until further notice. 

The Dubai Media Office advised passengers not to travel to the airport at this time, recommending that they contact their airlines directly for updates on their flights.

Further updates will be provided as authorities continue to monitor the situation, the office added.

German carrier Lufthansa suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv in Israel, Beirut in Lebanon, and Oman until March 7 and flights to and from Dubai on Saturday and Sunday. The airline also said it would not add Israeli, Lebanese, Jordanian, Iraqi and Iranian airspace until March 7.

Indian carriers Air India and IndiGo said they suspended all flights to the Middle East. 

"In view of the developing situation in parts of the Middle East, all Air India flights to all destinations in the Middle East have been suspended," the airline said in a statement posted on X.

Pakistan International Airlines also suspended its Middle East flights on Saturday.

Air France, meanwhile, canceled its Tel Aviv and Beirut flights for Saturday.

British Airways canceled flights to Tel Aviv ‌and Bahrain until March 3.

Nordic airline Norwegian Air suspended all flights to ‌and from Dubai until March 4.

Virgin Atlantic said it had decided to reroute flights to temporarily avoid Iraqi airspace, and  canceled the London to Dubai service on Saturday.

Spanish airline Iberia also canceled flights to Tel Aviv, while Wizz Air suspended flights to and from Israel, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Amman with immediate effect until March 7.

The US-Israeli military operation against Iran has raised fears of turmoil across the region. Israel and the US launched joint unprovoked attacks on Tehran earlier today, which Iran returned with strikes targeting Israel and US bases in the Middle East.

Explosions were heard in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi, as well as Kuwait, home to US Army Central, and Qatar, where Al Udeid Air Base is located. Jordan reported that it had shot down two ballistic missiles targeting the kingdom's territory, according to AFP, citing a military official.

Read: How Do Global Leaders React to Israel-US Joint Attacks on Iran?

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