Tensions in the Middle East erupted over the weekend, with conflict beginning in Iran before quickly spilling into other jurisdictions. As a result, airlines cancelled thousands of flights, leaving thousands of travellers stranded amid the third day of global travel chaos.
Airports in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Qatar have suspended the majority of flights today (March 2) after Israeli and US strikes on Iran over the weekend, sparking retaliation from the country.
Dubai International Airport was hit by Iran strikes over the weekend, with four people injured, according to local media reports. The explosions came amid Tehran's retaliatory strikes across various parts of the Gulf region.
Dubai-based, UAE-flag carrier Emirates said it would operate “a limited number of flights” from the evening of March 2, local time.
“We are accommodating customers with earlier bookings as a priority, and those who have been rebooked to travel on these limited flights will be contacted directly by Emirates,” said the airline.
The airline said all other flights remain suspended until further notice and has urged passengers not to go to the airport unless notified.
Fellow UAE-flag carrier, based in Abu Dhabi, Etihad Airways suspended all flights to and from the city until Tuesday (March 3) at 2 p.m. local time.
“Safety remains our absolute priority, and services will operate only once all safety criteria are met,” said Etihad.
One person was killed and seven others were injured in a drone strike at Abu Dhabi's Zayed International Airport over the weekend.
Despite flight suspensions at both airports, a small number of flights have taken off from them today.
Qatar Airways also said it has temporarily suspended operations due to the closure of Qatari airspace.
“Qatar Airways will resume operations once the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority announces the safe reopening of Qatari airspace," said the airline today.
According to aviation analytics firm Cirium, just over 2,000 flights were cancelled to the Middle East yesterday, out of the scheduled 3,990 flights. The firm noted that some flight schedules have not been updated and, thus, the number of cancellations is likely higher.
Additionally, various airlines announced cancellations for routes to the Middle East over the weekend.
Wizz Air said yesterday it had suspended all flights to and from Israel, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Amman and Saudi Arabia “with immediate effect” up until and including March 7.
Oman Air, which is able to operate limited international flights, has introduced bus transfers from Sharjah, UAE, to Muscat International Airport to support stranded travellers as the conflict reached its third day.
Amid the conflict and travel chaos, publicly listed airlines saw their shares fall as trading opened. Shares in Lufthansa and TUI fell nearly 12% today, while Qantas fell over 10. Airlines in Asia also saw share prices drop.
The share price reflected not only the cancellations and costs associated with rerouted flights, but also the sharp rise in oil prices.
Crude oil prices climbed by more than 7% today, with prices peaking at over $73 per barrel today before going down to just over $71 per barrel as of 16:35GMT.