Airlines across the Middle East are slowly restoring flight operations after widespread disruptions caused by recent regional conflicts. Major carriers like Oman Air, Qatar Airways, Emirates, and Etihad have announced limited schedules, focusing on repatriating stranded passengers and gradually rebuilding their networks.
Key Takeaways
- Oman Air operated nearly 80 extra flights, aiding 97,000 passengers.
- Qatar Airways resumed repatriation flights from Doha to key global cities.
- Emirates expects to return to full capacity in the coming days.
- Many airlines suspended specific routes until later in March or April.
Oman Air Leads Repatriation Efforts
Oman Air, the flag carrier of Oman, has played a crucial role in helping passengers leave the region. The airline confirmed it operated almost 80 extra flights in the past week. These efforts assisted more than 97,000 passengers in returning home.
Muscat International Airport in Oman's capital city became a vital transit point. It offered relief flights for travelers unable to depart from the UAE due to ongoing airspace closures. Oman Air stated it would continue to add extra frequencies where operationally possible.
Additional bus support services are also available for those crossing the land border from the UAE to Oman to catch onward flights. The airline's international network, covering Europe, South-East Asia, and Africa, is largely operating as planned.
Fast Fact
Oman Air assisted over 97,000 passengers in returning home through nearly 80 extra flights in the past week.
Qatar Airways Restores Doha Operations
After more than a week of airspace disruptions, Qatar Airways has resumed repatriation flights from Hamad International Airport in Doha. The airline issued a statement confirming its schedule for the coming days. Flights from Doha on Monday, March 9, included destinations such as Seoul, Moscow, London Heathrow, Delhi, Madrid, Islamabad, Beijing, Perth, and Nairobi.
On Tuesday, March 10, departures from Doha included Cairo, London Heathrow, Jeddah, Manila, Kochi, Muscat, Istanbul, Mumbai, Delhi, Nairobi, Islamabad, Madrid, Frankfurt, Colombo, and Milan. These flights represent a limited resumption, not a full return to scheduled commercial operations, according to the airline.
Up to 8,000 passengers were reportedly stranded in Qatar. The government covered the costs of hotel accommodation and extended their visas during the disruption.
"These flights do not constitute a confirmation of resumption of scheduled commercial operations," a Qatar Airways statement clarified.
Emirates and Etihad Gradually Return
Emirates, based in Dubai, expects to return to full flight capacity in the coming days. This follows the partial re-opening of regional airspace in the UAE. The airline had been operating a reduced schedule but is working to restore its full network operations.
On Thursday, Emirates transported approximately 30,000 passengers out of Dubai. The airline anticipates a return to 100% of its network soon, subject to airspace availability and operational requirements. Safety remains a top priority, along with their duty of care to passengers.
Passengers with earlier bookings are being given priority. They should only proceed to the airport if they have a confirmed booking. Etihad Airways has also restarted a limited flight schedule from Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi. The airline listed over 70 destinations planned between March 6 and March 19. Guests with previous bookings will be accommodated on these flights as soon as possible.
Background
Regional airspace closures severely impacted air travel across the Middle East. This led to thousands of flight cancellations and stranded passengers. Airlines are now working with aviation authorities to safely restore services.
Other Airlines Adjust Schedules
Several other airlines have also announced updates to their Middle East schedules. Air India and Air India Express planned to operate a total of 10 flights to and from Jeddah and 14 flights to and from Muscat on March 9.
- Virgin Atlantic: Expected to return all customers by early next week. Flights to and from Dubai are suspended until March 28. Riyadh operations are paused for two weeks from March 8.
- Saudia: Partially resumed flights to and from Dubai. Suspended flights to Amman, Kuwait, Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Bahrain until March 10. Moscow and Peshawar cancellations extended until March 15.
- British Airways: Scheduled further flights from Muscat to London Heathrow for March 9, 10, 11, and 12 for existing BA customers.
- Finnair: Preparing special flights from Muscat to Helsinki to transport approximately 1,200 customers from Dubai, with the first flight on March 10.
- Air Arabia: Started limited flights to destinations including Austria, Egypt, Ethiopia, Greece, India, Italy, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey.
Gulf Air flight operations remain temporarily suspended, awaiting confirmation from Bahrain Civil Aviation Affairs for safe airspace reopening. Low-cost carrier Wizz Air suspended all flights to and from Israel, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Amman up to and including March 15.
European Carriers and Further Suspensions
Turkish Airlines cancelled flights to and from Bahrain, Dammam, Riyadh, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Syria, and the UAE. Air France extended the suspension of flights to and from Dubai and Riyadh until March 10, and to Tel Aviv and Beirut until March 11.
Dutch airline KLM is not flying through the airspace of Iran, Iraq, and Israel, nor over several Gulf countries. Their Tel Aviv flights are suspended for the remainder of the winter season. Flights to and from Dammam, Dubai, and Riyadh are suspended until March 10.
Lufthansa Group airlines, including Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, ITA Airways, and Eurowings, suspended flights to and from Dubai and Abu Dhabi until March 10. Suspensions for other destinations range from March 15 to April 30.
Air Canada has suspended all flights to and from Dubai and Tel Aviv, with restarts planned for March 23. Garuda Indonesia, Indonesia's flag carrier, temporarily suspended flights to and from Doha until further notice.
