Global airlines are reassessing Middle Eastern routes following the US action in Iran. Singapore Airlines cancelled Dubai flights. Air France KLM also cancelled Dubai and Riyadh flights. British Airways cancelled Dubai and Doha flights. Concerns rise over missile risks and potential oil price spikes. Israel increases rescue flights. EL AL sees a surge in requests to leave the country.
Commercial airlines around the world were weighing how long to suspend Middle East flights after the US struck Iran on Monday. Singapore Airlines, one of the highest-profile in Asia, called the situation fluid on Sunday as it cancelled flights from Singapore to Dubai following a security assessment. The Middle East route has become more critical for flights between Europe and Asia since Russian and Ukrainian airspace closed due to the war. Still, flight tracking website Flight Radar 24 showed space over Iran, Iraq, Syria and Israel.
Air France KLM said on Sunday that it cancelled flights to and from Dubai and Riyadh on Sunday and Monday. British Airways, owned by IAG ICAG.L, cancelled flights to and from Dubai and Doha on Sunday. When asked about later flights, it said in a statement on Sunday evening that it was still reviewing the situation. In the days before the US strikes, American Airlines suspended flights to Qatar, and United Airlines did the same with flights to Dubai.
Airlines are also concerned about a potential spike in oil prices following the US attacks, which could increase the cost of jet fuel. Israel, meanwhile, is ramping up flights to help stranded travellers at home and abroad. The country’s Airports Authority says rescue flights would be limited to 50 passengers. An Israeli airline said on Sunday that it had received applications to leave the country from approximately 25,000 people in about a day.
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