Airlines cancel flights to UK, Iraq, Jordan, Iran, Oman and Kuwait after missile strikes in region

Carriers across the Middle East respond as violence intensifies in the region

One of the few flights to take off from Beirut airport on October 2. Reuters

Latest: Many Middle East flights still grounded as strikes on Lebanon intensify

Airlines have cancelled flights scheduled to take off on Thursday in response to rising tensions across the Middle East after Iran's major rocket attack on Israel.

With Israel's threat of retaliation leaving the region on the brink of an already devastating war escalating, airlines have taken action with passenger safety in mind after Israel, Iraq and Jordan closed off their airspace.

Dubai carriers Emirates and flydubai cancelled all flights to Iraq, Iran and Jordan scheduled for Thursday. Emirates also cancelled flights to the UK, Oman and Kuwait. Emirates later added that all flights to and from Iraq, Iran and Jordan scheduled for Friday and Saturday are also cancelled.

The airlines have confirmed that those booked on the flights will be assisted with travel arrangements, with passengers advised to check the latest flight information with their carrier.

Flydubai said on Thursday that it would resume flights to Iran, Iraq, Israel and Jordan from Friday.

"We are monitoring the situation closely and will amend our flight schedule if required," a flydubai spokesperson said.

"Flydubai operates within flight paths approved by the regulator and the safety of our passengers and crew remains our top priority."

Flights to Beirut have also been disrupted, with Emirates extending the suspension of routes to and from the Lebanese capital until October 8, and flydubai has suspended flights up to October 7, as Israel began an incursion in the south of the country.

Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways resumed its flights to Tel Aviv on Thursday. “The airline is closely monitoring the situation and remains in constant communication with relevant authorities and security intelligence providers,” its representative said.

Gulf airlines halt flights

Air Arabia flights to Beirut from Sharjah and Abu Dhabi remain suspended and Egyptair said it was suspending flights to Beirut indefinitely. Jordan's flag carrier Royal Jordanian said flights to Beirut were not operating “due to the current situation”.

Iran Air and Iraqi Airways have also suspended flights to the Lebanese capital “until further notice”, local news agencies reported.

On Thursday, Iran's Civil Aviation Organisation said airlines were now permitted to resume flight operations, which were temporarily grounded following Iran's missile strike on Israel on Tuesday.

Bahrain's flag carrier Gulf Air and Doha-based Qatar Airways have taken similar steps because of security concerns. The National has contacted Saudia and Gulf Air for comment.

Lebanon's Middle East Airlines is the only airline operating from Beirut. Many countries, including Britain, the US, France and Ireland are calling on their citizens to leave. On Saturday, the European Commission and the EU Aviation Safety Agency issued conflict zone information bulletins recommending that airlines avoid operating in the airspaces of Lebanon and Israel “at all flight levels”.

Cancelled Emirates flights

• EK945/EK946 Dubai – Basrah – Dubai
• EK2444/EK2445 Dubai – Basrah – Dubai
• EK941/EK942 Dubai – Baghdad – Dubai
• EK2072/EK2073 Dubai – Baghdad – Dubai
• EK977/EK978 Dubai – Tehran – Dubai
• EK971/EK972 Dubai – Tehran – Dubai
• EK979/EK980 Dubai – Tehran – Dubai
• EK904/EK905 Dubai – Amman – Dubai
• EK2056/EK2057 Dubai – Amman – Dubai
• EK837/838 Dubai – Bahrain – Dubai
• EK855/86 Dubai – Kuwait – Dubai
• EK31/32 Dubai – London Heathrow – Dubai
• EK866/867 Dubai – Muscat – Dubai