UK flights to the Middle East have been cancelled – and airports in Dubai and Doha have grounded all services – after the US began attacking Iran.
Multiple cities in Iran were hit by missiles, while counter strikes targeted US bases in Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE and Kuwait – as well as sites in Israel.
The UK Foreign Office (FCDO) warned Britons in those countries to “immediately shelter in place” and to avoid travel to Israel and Palestine.
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“Remain indoors in a secure location, avoid all travel and follow instructions from the local authorities,” advised the FCDO.
It said it was “working around the clock” to support British nationals affected.
UK citizens are being urged to sign up to Register Your Presence and travel advice emails so the Foreign Office can send the latest information.
Thousands of Britons are potentially stuck due to the temporary closure of airspace and airports in countries such as the UAE and Qatar.
British Airways cancelled Saturday’s Dubai, Doha, Amman and Abu Dhabi services, as well as flights to Tel Aviv and Bahrain up to 3 March.
One BA flight from London to Doha, Qatar‘s capital, was earlier forced to turn around mid-flight, according to flight tracking websites.
London Heathrow said “a small number of flights” had been cancelled or delayed.
Its departures board showed cancellations including an Emirates flight to Dubai, a Qatar Airways flight to Doha, and an Etihad service to Abu Dhabi.
A Gatwick spokesperson said it was also “expecting disruption to our Qatar and Emirates flights”.
Manchester Airport departures showed a Saturday night Emirates flight to Dubai had been scrapped as it shared a Civil Aviation Authority post telling people to check with their airline.
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Wizz Air also confirmed flights between London Luton to Tel Aviv, in both directions, were suspended until 7 March, but that “operational decisions will continue to be reviewed”.
Virgin Atlantic said routes from destinations including India and the Maldives would be altered for safety reasons, meaning journeys could take longer.
Many other major airlines have also paused flights to the Middle East, as well as some routes flying over the region, including Delta, Lufthansa, Cathay Pacific and Turkish Airlines.
India’s airlines are also suffering serious disruption.
Its aviation ministry said more than 400 flights by domestic carriers had been cancelled on Saturday and a similar number are expected on Sunday.
Dubai airports at standstill
The worst disruption is likely to be caused by the grounding of flights at Dubai’s main airport, the world’s busiest for international traffic.
People jetting out for a winter break – and the thousands who change aircraft there – are set to have their plans upended after the UAE closed its airspace.
All flights at Dubai’s International, Dubai World Central (Al Maktoum) and Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International have been suspended.
At least 90,000 people transfer every day in Dubai, Doha or Abu Dhabi on just three airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways, according to analytics firm Cirium.
People in Dubai were earlier filmed running for shelter as air raid sirens sounded and witnesses told Reuters at least three big blasts were heard over the city.
A fire broke out near the entrance of the five-star Fairmont The Palm hotel after debris reportedly fell from an Iranian missile.
Dubai five-star hotel on fire after ‘missile strike’
Read more:
Big blasts heard over Dubai as people run for cover
Where has been hit by strikes and counter-strikes?
A Dubai airports statement called the closures an “exceptional precautionary measure”, while Emirates said safety was its “highest priority” as it halted flights.
“You have crews, planes and passengers stranded all over the world. It’s a massive logistical nightmare,” a Gulf airline source told Reuters.
Moment free-falling missile hits Doha
Qatar’s international airport also suspended all services after the country’s airspace was shut down.
Video showed people running for cover as a missile – which was likely intercepted – fell into a residential area in its capital, Doha.
America’s largest regional air base, al Udeid, is near the city and Iran has deemed all US bases in the region as fair game.
