Thousands of flights avoid Iran after Israeli strikes
The thousands of aircraft that fly between Europe, North America and Asia moved away from Iranian airspace on 13 June after Israel struck the country with missiles. Aircraft moving east or west through the region instead flew over Saudi Arabia, then south of Israel and over the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt.
The Gulf region is home to two leading transcontinental hubs: Qatar and Dubai. Since the closure of Russian airspace to many airlines after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the region has become one of the main pinch points in global air transport between the eastern and western hemispheres
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The Independent
10 hours ago
- The Independent
Is it safe to travel to Dubai amid Middle East tensions?
Following Israel's overnight missile attack on Iran on Friday, closed airspaces and diverted flights have displaced domestic and international travel plans in the Middle East. Dubai 's high-rise skyline is one of the most popular Middle East destinations for UK holidaymakers, and travellers may be questioning whether to book a holiday there as fighting escalates in the region. The Foreign Office considers the United Arab Emirates safe to travel to – aside from advising British tourists to take the usual travel precautions against crime while visiting. Israel said 200 fighter jets took part in strikes on more than 100 targets in Iran overnight in an escalation that threatens to spark a wider conflict in the Middle East. Though not directly involved in the conflict, the UAE's proximity to Iran over the Persian Gulf has prompted travel concerns. Here's the latest travel advice for Dubai, plus all the key questions and answers. What does the Foreign Office say? The Foreign Office (FCDO) does not warn against travel to the United Arab Emirates, but advises British nationals to stay vigilant as 'there is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests'. On 13 June, official FCDO advice was updated to reflect regional risks. The FCDO says: 'Ongoing hostilities in the region and between Israel and Iran could escalate quickly and pose security risks for the wider region.' It advises travellers to monitor local and international media for the latest information, 'be vigilant' and follow the instructions of local authorities. Generally, visitors are reminded to respect local laws as the UAE is a Muslim country – specifically during the month of Ramadan. Same-sex activities, drugs and drinking alcohol in a public place are all illegal in the UAE. Some flights to and from Dubai and the UAE capital Abu Dhabi have been cancelled amid disruption in the region. Dubai International Airport said in a post on X/Twitter on Friday morning (13 June): 'Some flights at @DXB and DWC - Al Maktoum International have been cancelled or delayed due to airspace closures over Iran, Iraq, and Syria. We're working to manage the disruption and support affected guests.' It added: 'Please check with your airline for the latest updates and rebooking options before heading to the airport, and allow extra time to get here. Our teams are on hand to assist impacted guests. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we monitor the situation.' Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi said: 'Flight disruptions are expected through today at Zayed International Airport. Passengers are advised to check with their airline for the latest status of their flights before travelling to the airport.' What if I have booked a package holiday to Dubai? As the Foreign Office does not warn against travel to the United Arab Emirates, there is no prospect of being able to cancel a trip for a full refund. Neither will travel insurance be of help; the insurer will say that there is no reason not to go.
The Independent
16 hours ago
- The Independent
Is it safe to travel to Egypt? Your rights as Middle East conflict escalates between Israel and Iran
An escalation in conflict between Iran and Israel took place overnight, causing mass flight diversions over Middle East airspace and dozens of cancellations as air strikes surged. Iran launched more than 100 drones towards Israel after pre-dawn strikes by the IDF hit Tehran 's nuclear sites and killed top military commanders. Israel said 200 fighter jets took part in strikes on more than 100 targets in Iran overnight in an escalation that threatens to trigger a wider conflict in the Middle East. Egypt has many popular tourist destinations, and while the UK's Foreign Office has warned against travel to some areas of the country, many of the popular holiday hotspots are still considered safe to travel to, with holiday companies and airlines continuing to operate in the country. What is happening? Israel launched strikes against targets in Iran at around 3am local time (1am UK time), and warned citizens in the country to prepare for a missile attack in retaliation. Iran has fired around 100 drones in response. An Israeli military official said it has intercepted many of these but that some are still Israel-bound. The situation is reported to be under control, the official said. There have so far been no reports of civilian casualties in the strikes, but reports are still emerging from on the ground. How far is Israel from Egypt? Though Israel directly borders Egypt, most of the country's major cities and tourist destinations are a substantial distance away, and so Egypt has avoided much of the Israel-Gaza conflict. Sharm el-Sheikh is the closest destination, though it is still over two-and-a-half hours' drive away from the nearest border town and over five hours away by road from the area around the Gaza border. Cairo, Alexandria, Hurghada and Luxor are even further away. Will my flight to Egypt be disrupted? Thousands of passengers from the UK landed in unexpected places due to the sudden closure of airspace in the Middle East. Airlines, including Air India, Emirates and Qatar Airways, diverted their flights last minute after the conflict between Israel and Iran escalated. FlightRadar captured the moment civilian airspace cleared after the strikes began, showing flights rapidly exiting Iranian skies. Some flights cancelled their onward journey mid-flight, while others continued after diversions, creating delays to international flight schedules and causing many passengers flying from the UK to miss connections. Qatar Airways diverted two flights from the UK to Cairo: the overnight departures from Manchester and London Heathrow were also over Turkish airspace when they turned and flew south to the Egyptian capital. They have now refuelled and are continuing their journeys. Cairo Airport has seen a handful of cancellations, while some of its arrivals and many of its departures have been severely delayed, data from FlightRadar shows. Sharm el-Sheikh airport appeared to be less affected, although many of its departures Friday morning were delayed. What are my passenger rights? Under air passengers' rights rules, passengers who begin their journeys in the UK or the European Union are entitled to be flown to their destination as soon as possible. If your cancelled flight is covered by UK law, passengers can choose between getting an alternative flight or receiving a refund if their flight is cancelled. If you received less than 14 days' notice of a cancellation, you may also be able to claim compensation. However, this is unlikely if the cancellation was not the airline's fault. What if I have booked a package holiday to Egypt? Package holidays are operating as usual. If you have an upcoming trip booked and want to postpone, get in touch with your tour operator or holiday provider; they may offer some flexibility. However, if not, there are currently no grounds for travellers to expect a refund if they cancel, nor to claim the money back through travel insurance, as the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has not issued a blanket 'avoid all non-essential travel' advisory for Egypt. If FCDO advice changes to advising against all travel, you can cancel a package holiday without penalty for a full refund. Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the FCDO. What is the Foreign Office travel advice for Egypt? The FCDO has updated its travel advice for Egypt on Friday, 13 June, concerning the conflict between Iran and Israel. 'Ongoing hostilities in the region and between Israel and Iran could escalate quickly and pose security risks for the wider region. There are reports of military debris falling in various locations. Travel disruptions, including flight cancellations and airspace closures may occur. Demonstrations and protest activity may take place,' the advice stated. It added that travellers should monitor local and international media for the latest information and be vigilant and follow the instructions of local authorities. The FCDO also said that the Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority has directed all airlines and travel companies to ensure that any passengers arriving in Egypt between 12 and 16 June have a confirmed return ticket. 'Travellers who are unable to demonstrate this are liable to be refused entry into the country,' it added. The FCDO advises against travel in certain areas of Egypt. It advises against all travel to within 20km of the Egypt-Libya border and all travel to the North Sinai Governorate. The FCDO also advises against all but essential travel to: The town of El Salloum The northern part of the South Sinai Governorate, beyond the St Catherine-Nuweibaa road, except for the coastal areas along the west and east of the peninsula. The Ismailiyah Governorate east of the Suez Canal. The area west of the Nile Valley and Nile Delta regions, except for a list of areas that can be found here. The Hala'ib Triangle and the Bir Tawil Trapezoid. It does not warn against travel to any of the main tourist destinations in Egypt, including Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Alexandria and the two Red Sea resorts of Sharm el-Sheikh and Hurghada. The FCDO also warns that 'international borders in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs) could close at short notice, including the Taba border crossing between Israel and Egypt'. It advises checking with local authorities and reading Israel's and OPTs' travel advice before crossing or leaving Gaza. 'The Rafah border crossing is currently closed. When re-opened, Israel, Egypt and the authorities in Gaza may determine procedures for who is permitted to cross and when,' it adds. 'Humanitarian aid workers cannot enter or exit Gaza through Egypt at this time.' The Egyptian authorities have said all aid to Gaza must go through the Egyptian Red Crescent. Standard operating procedures can be found on the Logistics Cluster website. The authorities are unlikely to consider requests for humanitarian access made in Egypt at short notice. If you are concerned about friends or family, or need support from the UK government, call the British Embassy in Cairo. Telephone: + 20 (0)2 2791 6000. If you have technical difficulties using this number, call +44 1767 667 600 (UK number).
Time Out
17 hours ago
- Time Out
This Brooklyn bar turns viral Dubai chocolate into a boozy cocktail
Some trends are just too delicious to resist. Most recently, Dubai chocolate has captivated sweets lovers across the globe, drowning social media feeds and emptying wallets everywhere. Already, there are a half dozen places to find Dubai chocolate in NYC. The viral, pistachio-and-phyllo–flecked confection even inspired Sweet Graffiti bakery to add a Middle Eastern twist to their menu, lacing vanilla soft-serve ice cream with Dubai-style chocolate sauce, pistachio cream, and toasted kataifi. Now, another, much boozier rendition has debuted the Arlo Williamsburg: the 'Dubai Me A Drink' cocktail. Sip your dessert by sidling up to the bar at Sungold, the Italian leaning, seasonally-driven restaurant set inside the Brooklyn hotel. Rather than replicate the original Arabic treat, mixologist Armando Acevedo made it his own, infusing his spiked interpretation with nostalgic, high-impact flavors. The creamy, dreamy 'Dubai Me A Drink' swirls 100-percent American corn vodka with house-made pistachio cream, rich chocolate liqueur, cacao bitters, roasted pistachios and a luxurious hint of saffron. To mimic the dazzling, green and gold bars first created by Emirati Fix Dessert Chocolatier in Dubai, curvy coup glasses are embellished with generous swipes of chocolate and showering of crispy kataifi (shredded phyllo). The textural contrasts in this cocktail are deliciously thrilling — we can't wait to taste it alongside one of the restaurant's decadent desserts, like Orange Blossom panna cotta or flourless chocolate terrine with raspberry gelato.
