Source: Courtesy of Flightradar24.com
Airlines cancelled more flights to the Middle East over the weekend following US strikes on Iran.
According to reports, European and North American carriers have cancelled flights to locations such as Dubai, Doha and Riyadh over the past few days following the US strikes.
This is in addition to the widespread cancellation of operations to Israel, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria as a result of the ongoing conflict and airspace restrictions.
Airlines that cancelled flights to Dubai and/or Doha include British Airways, Air France KLM, Singapore Airlines, United Airlines and American Airlines.
British Airways flights due to takeoff today also appear to be affected. A flight due to leave from Heathrow to Dubai at just after midday has been cancelled, although flights scheduled for Dubai later today are currently showing as “on time”.
Also, a flight due to leave Heathrow for Doha at 13:45 has been cancelled, although a later flight due to take off at 21:25 is showing as on time.
Other than the flights previously cancelled for today, “Our flights to Dubai and Doha are scheduled to operate as normal and our teams continue to keep the situation under review,” a spokesperson said.
Meanwhile, Singapore Airlines said that “following a security assessment of the geopolitical situation in the Middle East” it has cancelled its flights to Dubai until at least June 25.
Air France KLM has also reportedly suspended flights to Dubai and Riyadh on Sunday and Monday.
Other carriers that reportedly cancelled flights over the past few days include Air Canada, Finnair and Air Astana.
Flights are also continuing to divert around the main conflict zone in the region, with images from FlightRadar showing the extent of the re-routes.
The area has been largely empty of flights since Israel began strikes on Iran.
At this stage, the impact on cargo of the latest cancellations to Dubai, Doha and Riyadh should be minimal, given the overall capacity operating between the Middle East and Europe and the Middle East and Asia.
Flights by major freighter operators Qatar Airways and Emirates SkyCargo are also continuing.
However, shipments on those flights that have been cancelled will be delayed and the diversions will add time and cost to cargo operations that overfly the Middle East.
