UAE flights: Emirates resumes scheduled operations after 'minimal disruption' amid conflict

Khaleej Times

12 hours ago

Dubai's flagship carrier Emirates on Tuesday said it has resumed regularly scheduled operations after 'minimal disruption' after Iran launched an attack at a US base in Qatar, disrupting flights across the Gulf region.
The airline said it 'quickly activated its robust contingency and disruption plans, with no diversions, only a small number of cancellations and a few flights experiencing longer flight paths due to airspace congestion.'
On June 13, Israel attacked Iran's military and nuclear sites, killing many of its top generals. Later, Iran launched missile attacks at different locations across Israel. On June 23, Gulf countries including Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait closed their airspaces due to Iran's attack at Qatar's Al Udeid base after the US attacked Iran's nuclear sites a day before.
On Tuesday morning, a ceasefire was announced by US President Donald Trump, although he later said both countries have since then violated the truce. Iran and Israel also initially confirmed the ceasefire, although they later traded accusations of violations.
The airline briefly suspended flights to Amman and Beirut but some resumed and also maintained operations to all other destinations.
The world's largest international carrier said it successfully maintained scheduled services by rerouting flights to avoid conflict zones. It flew over 1.7 million passengers on more than 5,800 flights during the war.
The airline "took immediate action by suspending flights only to areas directly impacted by conflict while maintaining operations to all other destinations."
Services to Amman and Beirut were briefly suspended but resumed quickly, demonstrating Emirates' ability to nimbly adapt its operations while prioritising safety, and helping thousands of families start their summer holidays.
The military conflict comes at a time when the UAE see a big spike in summer travel. Many residents travel to their home countries and cooler climes.
'As Emirates gears up for the busy summer travel season, it will continue to actively monitor developments in coordination with the relevant authorities, and the airline's priority will always be to ensure safe and smooth operations, by adapting quickly and appropriately, so that customers can travel with confidence,' it said.