UAE airlines have suspended flights to four destinations — Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Iran — on Friday in the wake of rising tensions between Israel and Iran. The carriers also announced flight cancellations to as many as five other destinations across the Middle East and Caucasian regions after several countries closed their airspaces.
Israel launched strikes on Iran early Friday, marking one of the most dramatic escalations in the two countries’ long-standing shadow war. Codenamed ‘Rising Lion’, the offensive targeted high-value sites including missile factories and nuclear facilities. The strikes left top Iranian military leaders dead, with Iran vowing a ‘harsh’ response.
The Dubai International Airport (DXB) website listed dozens of departures and arrivals as cancelled on Friday. Most of the cancellations include flights heading to or arriving from countries like Iran, Russia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Israel. Multiple flydubai, Emirates and Etihad flights to Iranian cities such as Tehran, Shiraz, Lar, Kish Island, and Bandar Abbas were also cancelled. Flights from these cities to Dubai were also not operating.Similarly, flights to and from Baghdad and Basra in Iraq were cancelled. The same was seen with flights to Amman in Jordan and Beirut in Lebanon, where services by flydubai were either cancelled or not listed for the day.
Dubai airport authorities further announced some flights at Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International stand cancelled or delayed due to airspace closures over Iran, Iraq, and Syria.
The authorities said they are working to manage the disruption and support affected guests. Passengers are advised to check with their respective airlines for latest updates and rebooking options before heading to the airport. “Our teams are on hand to assist impacted guests,” they added.
