A major airline is set to stay grounded until at least Friday due to ongoing tensions in the Middle East. The aviation industry is facing disruptions as major hubs are impacted by the conflict, leading to the suspension of flights by Qatar Airways because of the closure of Qatari airspace.
Qatar Airways issued a statement confirming that scheduled flight operations will remain on hold until the Qatari airspace reopens safely as announced by the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority. An update on the situation is expected on March 6 at 0900 Doha time (0600 UTC).
Amid the escalating situation, some British citizens stranded in the Middle East are being repatriated via a Government charter flight from Muscat, Oman. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper mentioned that the flight will depart from the capital in the upcoming days to assist those affected by the conflict between Iran, the US, and allied nations.
While a few commercial flights are facilitating the return of stranded Britons to the UK, most departures from the region have been canceled due to widespread airspace closures. Cooper highlighted that around 130,000 British nationals are present in the Middle East, emphasizing the urgent and evolving nature of the situation.
Efforts are underway to increase capacity for British nationals departing from Muscat, with a focus on assisting vulnerable individuals. Unlike the advisory for airports in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha, the Foreign Office has not issued travel warnings for the area where Muscat International Airport is situated.
British Airways announced a special flight from Muscat to London Heathrow on Thursday, as operations from other key destinations remain suspended. Oman Air continues to operate two daily return flights between Muscat and London Heathrow, while Emirates and Etihad Airways are making limited flights to the UK.
The aviation industry is facing significant challenges with disruptions to key routes between Europe and Asia, affecting approximately half a million passengers daily. Aviation experts anticipate a prolonged period to clear the passenger backlog, considering the high volume of daily air traffic and the impact of ongoing airspace restrictions.