The escalating conflict in the Middle East is now directly affecting civil aviation. UK-based airline British Airways has announced the suspension of its flights to Dubai and Doha due to increasing security risks.
Airspace Crisis: Flights Diverted Mid-Journey
Following Hamas’s attack on Israel in October 2023, the ensuing war has intensified, resulting in the deaths of thousands of civilians and impacting millions more. Recent Israeli strikes on Iran and US air operations targeting nuclear facilities have pushed regional security threats to the highest level.
According to Flightradar24 data, most of British Airways’ Dubai flights have been cancelled. Two aircraft that departed from Heathrow on Saturday night were rerouted mid-flight for security reasons. One was diverted to Zurich after reaching Saudi Arabian airspace, while the other turned back to Heathrow after reaching the coast of Egypt.
Temporary Suspension of Doha and Bahrain Services
British Airways also suspended all flights to Doha, Qatar’s capital, starting Sunday. Additionally, due to operational restrictions and airspace risks, flights to Bahrain have been suspended until the end of the month.
Experts stress that the growing risks over Middle Eastern airspace pose major challenges for international airlines—both in terms of safety and cost.
Middle East Air Traffic at a Critical Point
Israel’s expanding strikes and Iran’s retaliatory actions have made the airspace over countries like the UAE and Qatar increasingly unsafe. In the past week, several American and European airlines have temporarily suspended flights to both nations.
