The incident has once again highlighted how quickly regional instability can impact international air travel, with authorities saying they will release more information once the situation normalises.
What you should know
International flights to and from Europe, Canada and the United States have been severely curtailed over the Middle East after several countries temporarily closed their airspace on Saturday due to the evolving security and political situation in the region. The decision has directly affected thousands of passengers and has also affected the global aviation network, according to international media.
Kuwait's Public Civil Aviation Authority has announced the temporary closure of Kuwait International Airport's airspace in light of regional security developments. Authority spokesman Abdullah Al-Rajhi said the decision was taken as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of passengers, airlines and airport operations. He said relevant agencies are monitoring the situation in coordination with local and international partners, the news agencies reported.
Jazeera Airways said all its flights would be suspended or delayed until further notice following the closure of Kuwait International Airport. Passengers travelling to or from Kuwait have been advised not to proceed to the airport until further notice.
India's IndiGo has cancelled all flights to and from the Middle East until midnight on Saturday due to restrictions on airspace over Iran and the surrounding Middle East. The company said affected passengers have been offered alternative travel arrangements or a full refund.
United Arab Emirates-based Flydubai said it had temporarily suspended operations, cancelling some flights for February 28, while Dubai-based Emirates confirmed it had temporarily suspended flights to and from Dubai due to the regional airspace closure. Both companies said they were closely monitoring the situation in coordination with relevant authorities.
Saudi Arabia's national flag carrier Saudia also said it had suspended or cancelled some flights in line with aviation safety standards. The company's emergency coordination centre said it was continuously monitoring the situation.
Similarly, Qatar Airways has temporarily suspended flights to and from Doha following the closure of Qatari airspace.
India's Akasa Air has suspended all flights to and from Abu Dhabi, Doha and Jeddah until February 28.
Nepal's private Himalaya Airlines has canceled all flights to Dubai, Dammam and Doha until further notice.
Dubai Airports Authority has directed all airlines operating from its two airports, DXB and DWC, to suspend check-in until 3 am local time on Sunday (March 1). The Airport Operations Control Center said it is continuously monitoring the situation.
Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport has also urged passengers to come to the airport only after confirming flight status with the concerned airlines, saying that international flights may be delayed, rescheduled or canceled due to the Middle Eastern airspace restrictions.
The Qatar Civil Aviation Authority has also announced that air traffic in Qatari airspace has been temporarily suspended in view of the regional security situation.
All airlines and aviation authorities have reiterated that the safety of passengers and crew is the first priority. Passengers are urged to resume their journey only after updating their flight status via the official website, mobile app or customer service center.
This incident has once again made it clear how quickly regional instability can affect international air traffic. The relevant authorities have said that more information will be released once the situation normalizes.
