The skies over the Middle East are slowly reopening, offering a glimmer of hope to travellers stranded by the escalating conflict between the US-Israel and Iran. But the situation remains far from normal, with many flights still grounded and a sense of uncertainty lingering in the air.
A cautious restart: On Monday and Tuesday, a handful of international airlines took the first tentative steps towards resuming operations in the region. Long-haul carriers Etihad Airways and Emirates, along with budget airline Flydubai, announced the operation of select flights from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where air traffic had been halted since Saturday.
Limited relief: The Dubai government advised passengers to proceed to airports only if contacted directly, as the resumption of operations was limited. Over 80% of flights to and from Dubai and more than half of those to and from Abu Dhabi remained cancelled, according to FlightAware. The disruption extended to seven key airports in the Gulf region, with over 2,000 flights cancelled, as reported by Flightradar24.
Evacuation efforts: Etihad Airways led the way, with at least 15 flights departing Abu Dhabi's airport on Monday to evacuate stranded passengers. These flights headed to various destinations, including Islamabad, Paris, Amsterdam, Mumbai, Cairo, and London Heathrow. However, regular commercial flights remained grounded.
Gradual return: Emirates and Flydubai also began operating a limited number of flights, prioritizing customers with earlier bookings. Emirates flights to Mumbai and Chennai took off from Dubai, while two Flydubai flights circled over the Gulf, awaiting clearance to land. This cautious approach reflects the delicate balance between resuming operations and ensuring safety.
Global impact: The conflict has had far-reaching consequences, affecting not only the Middle East but also global travel. Hundreds of thousands of travellers from various backgrounds were stranded in multiple countries. The closure of key airports in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha disrupted travel between Europe, Africa, and Asia, leaving many travellers stranded during their multi-leg journeys.
Airlines respond: Indian airlines, recognizing the urgency, resumed limited services to the Middle East to retrieve stranded passengers. IndiGo operated flights to Jeddah, while Air India Express resumed flights to Muscat, Oman. Other airlines, such as Oman Air, Saudia, Wizz Air, Turkish Airlines, Air France, KLM, British Airways, Lufthansa Group, Finnair, Norwegian, Delta Air Lines, Air Canada, Air India, and Garuda Indonesia, have also adjusted their schedules, suspending or cancelling flights to and from the region.
Controversial airspace: The temporary closure of Qatari airspace has led to the suspension of all aircraft movements at Hamad International Airport in Doha. Qatar Airways awaits the green light from the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority to resume operations. This situation raises questions about the impact of geopolitical tensions on aviation and the challenges airlines face in navigating these complex circumstances.
The gradual reopening of Middle Eastern skies provides a glimmer of hope, but the aviation industry remains in a state of flux. As airlines navigate this turbulent period, the world watches and waits, eager for a return to normalcy. But the question remains: when will the skies truly be safe again?
