Flights to and from countries in the Middle East will remain suspended until Monday as the regional conflict continues, major airlines have said.
The announcement follows military strikes by U.S. and Israeli forces on Iran on Saturday morning, which the two countries described as a “pre-emptive” attack against a Tehran government pursuing nuclear weapons.
The strike prompted retaliation from Iran, with missiles reportedly targeting Israel and other countries across the Middle East.
In a statement published on Sunday, Etihad Airways advised passengers booked to travel on or before 5 March to rebook on an alternative flight or request a refund.
“We are actively monitoring the situation and engaging with relevant authorities,” the airline added.
“We apologise to customers affected by disruptions for any inconvenience caused. The safety and security of our passengers and crew remain our highest priority.”
Etihad further advised that, while airspace closures continue, disruptions should be expected.
“Regional airspace closures continue to impact Etihad’s operations, and all flights to and from Abu Dhabi are suspended until 2 a.m. UAE time on Monday, 2 March,” the airline said on X.
Passengers were urged to check their flight status on the Etihad website before travelling to the airport and to ensure their contact details are up to date in their booking.
People holding Etihad tickets for travel up to 3 March may also request a full refund, the airline added.
“We are currently experiencing a high volume of calls and appreciate your patience, as it may take longer than usual for calls to be answered,” Etihad said.
“The situation remains dynamic, and schedules may change at short notice. Etihad continues to work closely with relevant authorities and will resume normal operations as soon as conditions permit.”
Qatar Airways stated on Saturday night that flights remained temporarily suspended due to the closure of Qatari airspace.
On X, the airline said: “Qatar Airways will resume operations once the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority announces the safe reopening of Qatari airspace. A further update will be provided by 9 a.m. Doha time (06:00 GMT).”
In a later update on Sunday morning, Qatar Airways warned passengers of online scammers impersonating airline staff.
“We are aware of fraudulent accounts pretending to be Qatar Airways and requesting personal information,” the airline said.
“Qatar Airways will never ask for passwords, OTPs, banking details, or other sensitive information via social media or direct messages.”
According to aviation analytics company Cirium, 83 flights were still scheduled to operate between the UK and the Middle East on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has advised British nationals in Bahrain, Israel, Palestine, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates to register their presence with the UK Government to receive updates on the evolving situation.
In a statement published on Sunday, the office said: “You should continue to follow travel advice and the instructions of local authorities.”
