Travellers urged to monitor changes in flight plans
PETALING JAYA: Local airlines will continue to be on alert and ready to make last minute adjustments to flight plans to keep their passengers safe following the rapidly-changing situation in the Middle East.
The airlines urged all passengers to stay informed via their official media channels on last- minute updates to their itineraries.
This comes after a Batik Air flight to Dubai in the wee hours of June 24 was instructed to turn back after several Arab nations closed their airspace after Iran launched missiles towards a United States military base in nearby Qatar.
The flight OD713 returned to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport and its passengers were provided assistance, hotel accommodation, meals and ground transportation, Batik Air said in a statement.
'This precautionary measure was taken in full compliance with international aviation safety advisories and route restrictions issued by the relevant authorities.
'The safety of our passengers and crew remains Batik Air's highest priority,' the airlines said.
'As the flight has been cancelled, affected passengers have been given the option to either cancel their booking with a full refund or rebook onto the next available flight,' it said.
Batik Air flights to Dubai will resume today as both Qatari and Emirati airspaces have reopened for commercial operations.
'We are closely monitoring the evolving geopolitical developments and remain in active coordination with the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia, international regulators and regional air navigation service providers.
'Contingency plans and dynamic route assessments have been implemented to ensure the continued safety and reliability of our operations,' it said.
Malaysia Airlines said any operational adjustments involving Middle East airspace, including flight rerouting or suspensions, will be implemented if deemed necessary.
'The safety of passengers and crew remains the airline's utmost priority,' it said in a statement.
The national carrier said all its flights are subject to ongoing risk assessments in light of current regional tensions there.
'The airline remains guided by the International Civil Aviation Organisation and other global aviation authorities to ensure the safety of airspace used in its operations,' it added.
It also said all its flight routes are evaluated using real-time intelligence, global security reports, Notice to Airmen and continuous surveillance through its Satcom-enabled Flight Monitoring System.
When contacted, Air Asia X said it is closely monitoring the situation and will continue to follow all necessary safety procedures.
Several Arab nations temporarily closed their airspace late on Monday as a precautionary measure amid heightened tensions following the Iranian strike against the US base.
The strike was in response to a US offensive on Sunday targeting three of Iran's nuclear facilities – Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan – marking a dramatic intensification of hostilities.
Qatar has since reopened its airspace, according to the Malaysian Embassy in Doha.
The Iran-Israel conflict has continued for over a week as both countries launched missiles into each other's territories.
US President Donald Trump announced early yesterday that a ceasefire between Iran and Israel is now in effect, urging both sides to adhere to the agreement.
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