Latest news with #SingaporeAirlines
Observer
30 minutes ago
- Business
- Observer
Airlines weigh Middle East cancellations after US strikes in Iran
Airlines on Monday were weighing how long to suspend Middle East flights as a conflict which has already cut off major flight routes entered a new phase after the U.S. attacked key Iranian nuclear sites and Tehran vowed to defend itself. Cancellations in recent days to usually resilient aviation hubs like Dubai, the world's busiest international airport, and Qatar's Doha by international carriers show how aviation industry concerns about the region have escalated. The usually busy airspace stretching from Iran and Iraq to the Mediterranean has been largely empty of commercial air traffic for 10 days since Israel began strikes on Iran on June 13, as airlines divert, cancel and delay flights through the region due to airspace closures and safety concerns. Leading Asian carrier Singapore Airlines, which described the situation as "fluid", moved to cancel flights to Dubai through to Tuesday, having previously cancelled only its Sunday service. IAG group member Iberia cancelled Sunday's and Monday's Doha flights after making its own assessment, a spokesperson said. It has not made a decision regarding later flights. Air France KLM cancelled flights to and from Dubai and Riyadh on Sunday and Monday, and Finnair cancelled flights from Doha until at least Tuesday. Kazakhstan's Air Astana cancelled flights to Dubai on Monday. However, some international airlines were expecting to resume services. Flightradar24 departure boards show British Airways, owned by IAG, was set to resume Dubai and Doha flights on Monday after cancelling routes to and from those airports on Sunday. With Russian and Ukrainian airspace also closed to most airlines due to years of war, the Middle East had become a more important route for flights between Europe and Asia. Amid missile and air strikes during the past 10 days, airlines have routed north via the Caspian Sea or south via Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Added to increased fuel and crew costs from these long detours and cancellations, carriers also face a potential hike in jet fuel costs as oil prices rise following the U.S. attacks. Australia-based Flight Centre Travel Group said it is getting a small number of customer requests to route journeys to Europe away from Middle Eastern hubs. "The most common transfer hubs that we're seeing requested are Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Johannesburg, or even direct between Perth and London," said Graham Turner, CEO of Australia-based Flight Centre Travel Group. AIRSPACE RISKS Proliferating conflict zones are an increasing operational burden on airlines, as aerial attacks raise worries about accidental or deliberate shoot-downs of commercial air traffic. Location spoofing and GPS interference around political hotspots, where ground-based GPS systems broadcast incorrect positions which can send commercial airliners off course, are also a growing issue for commercial aviation. Flightradar24 told Reuters it had seen a "dramatic increase" in jamming and spoofing in recent days over the Persian Gulf. SkAI, a Swiss company that runs a GPS disruption map, late on Sunday said it had observed more than 150 aircraft spoofed in 24 hours there. Safe Airspace, a website run by OPSGROUP, a membership-based organisation that shares flight risk information, said U.S. attacks on Iran's nuclear sites could heighten the threat to American operators in the region. This could raise additional airspace risks in Gulf states like Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, it said. In the days before the U.S. strikes, American Airlines suspended flights to Qatar, and United Airlines and Air Canada did the same with flights to Dubai. They have yet to resume. While international airlines are shying away from the region, local carriers in Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq are tentatively resuming some flights after widespread cancellations. Israel is ramping up flights to help people return home, and leave. The country's Airports Authority says that so-called rescue flights to the country would expand on Monday with 24 a day, although each flight would be limited to 50 passengers. From Monday, Israeli airlines will start to operate outbound flights, the authority said. Israeli airline El Al on Sunday said it had received applications to leave the country from about 25,000 people in about a day.
Business Insider
3 hours ago
- Business
- Business Insider
US bombings of Iran spark airline detours, delays, and cancellations
Thousands of passengers have seen their flights canceled, and many more will face longer journeys, after the conflicts in the Middle East escalated over the weekend. Singapore Airlines, Air France, and British Airways are among the airlines to cancel flights to the likes of Dubai and Doha, Qatar, since the US bombed Iranian nuclear facilities on Saturday. The cities are major travel hubs. Dubai International is ranked as the world's busiest for international passenger traffic, and Qatar's Hamad International is the 10th. BA Flight 109 was on its way to Dubai during the strikes. Data from Flightradar24 shows it U-turned over Saudi Arabia and diverted to Zurich in a nine-hour journey. Meanwhile, American Airlines, United Airlines, and Air Canada had started suspending some flights to the region in the days before Saturday's attacks. Even for those routes that haven't faced cancellations, flights will take longer. That's because they can no longer fly over Israel, Iran, and Iraq, which closed their airspaces after Israel launched a missile attack on Iran on June 13. Flightradar24 data showed that the Air France flights were taking up to an hour longer as they flew over Egypt and Saudi Arabia instead. Qatar Airways, which is still operating flights, said in a statement on X that the situation "will require some schedule changes to strengthen the connectivity in Doha." Like Dubai's Emirates, its business model counts on harnessing its geography to link destinations around the world via its home base — so longer flight times would make connections tighter for passengers. The airline was named the world's best at the Skytrax Awards during last week's Paris Air Show, after CEO Badr Mohammed Al-Meer had to pull out to focus on "our operational responsibilities due to the geopolitical situation in the Middle East." "It feels incredibly strange not to be there," he said in a video message. "In over a decade with our airline and airport, I've never missed a Skytrax ceremony." Longer detours will also cut into airlines' profits by requiring more fuel. The conflict could further raise oil prices as Iran considers closing the Strait of Hormuz, a vital sea passage connecting the Persian Gulf to the ocean. Iran has suggested it could launch retaliatory strikes on US military bases in the region, which would likely force further travel disruption.
Mint
3 hours ago
- Business
- Mint
Airlines halt Gulf flights as US enters Israel-Iran war; Dubai, Doha services affected: What will be its impact?
Major international airlines extended flight cancellations to the Persian Gulf, disrupting air traffic to critical hubs such as Dubai after the US struck nuclear sites in Iran and Tehran vowed to retaliate. Singapore Airlines said it would suspend service to Dubai until Wednesday night and warned more flights could be cancelled due to the severity of the situation. British Airways added cancellations to Dubai and Doha, while Air France-KLM reportedly will scrap flights to Dubai and Riyadh, reported Bloomberg. The airlines' decisions hinted at the potential for escalation of the war between Israel and Iran after US President Donald Trump joined the fight by attacking Iran's key nuclear sites. The dramatic escalation risks retaliation from Tehran, which will potentially disrupt economies that had previously been unaffected by the fallout of regional hostilities, said Bloomberg. Prior to the US strikes on Sunday, Tehran threatened to hit US bases in the Persian Gulf should Washington get involved, and close down the Strait of Hormuz, an important oil trade route. 'A widening conflict around the Strait of Hormuz could threaten to disrupt global airline traffic, particularly if flight restrictions to key transfer hubs in Qatar and the UAE were to occur,' said Bloomberg Intelligence analysts Eric Zhu and George Ferguson. Excluding local carriers, Indian airlines including IndiGo, Turkish Airlines and British Airways are among the most exposed, they wrote. Singapore Airlines has cancelled flights to Dubai from the city-state since Sunday over security concerns. British Airways diverted a Dubai-bound flight to Zurich after it reached Saudi Arabia's airspace in the early hours of Sunday. Another jet returned to Heathrow after going as far as Egypt, the news agency reported. Asian airlines have also taken steps to safeguard passengers and crews. Japan Airlines plans to have flights between Tokyo's Haneda airport and Doha avoid airspace above the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, adding about 20 minutes to journeys. Air India will progressively avoid the use of certain airspace over the Persian Gulf in the coming days, reported Bloomberg. The actions come after President Donald Trump decided to attack Iran after decades of hostility. The possibility of further disruption will depend on how forcefully Iran retaliates. Trump has threatened more attacks if Tehran doesn't capitulate. The UK is organising a chartered flight for British nationals who want to leave Israel, while Germany sent a military transport plane to extract citizens and France said it also plans repatriation flights, the news agency said.
UAE Moments
4 hours ago
- UAE Moments
UK Airline Suspends Qatar & Dubai Routes Over Iran Crisis
British Airways has suspended all its flights to Dubai and Doha following overnight US airstrikes on nuclear facilities in Iran. The airline says the move is a direct response to the escalating situation in the region, prioritising the safety of passengers and crew. Join our FREE WhatsApp channel to dive into a world of real-time engagement! In a statement, the UK's flag carrier said: 'As a result of recent events, we have adjusted our flight schedule to ensure the safety of our customers and crew, which is always our top priority.' British Airways has begun contacting affected customers to inform them of their options, including rebooking or refunds, as it continues to monitor the rapidly evolving crisis. Disruption Hits Thousands of Passengers As many as 1,000 passengers are reportedly stranded in the UAE after BA cancelled four flights from London Heathrow to Dubai. One flight that departed Heathrow late Saturday was forced to divert mid-air and landed in Zurich after nearly nine hours in the air. Meanwhile, a BA flight from Chennai to London also turned back briefly before refuelling and continuing its journey. Other Airlines Also React Singapore Airlines has also taken precautions, cancelling two flights between Singapore and Dubai after conducting a 'security assessment of the geopolitical situation in the Middle East.' British Airways had already suspended flights to Bahrain until at least June 30. These latest cancellations add to growing concerns about the safety of commercial flights over or near conflict zones. What's Next for Travellers? BA says it's working to support affected passengers and will continue adjusting its operations as necessary. Travellers booked on BA routes to or through the Gulf region are advised to check with the airline for the latest updates. The suspension comes amid heightened tension in the region after US President Donald Trump confirmed that American forces carried out strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites, calling it a "spectacular military success."
Business Times
5 hours ago
- Business
- Business Times
Global airlines halt Middle East flights as war disruptions reach Dubai
[DUBAI] Major global airlines extended flight cancellations to the Persian Gulf, disrupting air traffic to critical hubs such as Dubai after the US struck nuclear sites in Iran and Teheran vowed to retaliate. Singapore Airlines said it would suspend service to Dubai until Wednesday (Jun 25) night and warned more flights could be scrapped due to the fluidity of the situation. British Airways added cancellations to Dubai and Doha, while Air France-KLM reportedly will scrap flights to Dubai and Riyadh. The airlines' decisions highlight the potential for a widening of the war between Israel and Iran after US President Donald Trump joined the fight by attacking Iran's nuclear sites. The dramatic escalation risks retaliation, potentially disrupting economies that had previously been shielded from the fallout of regional hostilities. Dubai, home to Emirates, and Doha, the capital of Qatar and its namesake airline, are major travel hubs that handle much of the traffic within the Middle East and form a crossroads for long-haul travel between Asia, Europe and North America. They had avoided previous suspensions that were contained to countries surrounding Israel and the skies over nations where Iran's missiles pass. Prior to the US strikes on Sunday, Teheran threatened to hit US bases in the Persian Gulf should Washington get involved, and close down the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil trade waterway it borders with the United Arab Emirates and Oman. Qatar hosts the largest US base in the region, while Bahrain is home to the US Navy's Fifth Fleet. 'A widening conflict around the Strait of Hormuz could threaten to disrupt global airline traffic, particularly if flight restrictions to key transfer hubs in Qatar and the UAE were to occur,' Bloomberg Intelligence analysts Eric Zhu and George Ferguson wrote in a note. Excluding local carriers, Indian airlines including IndiGo, Turkish Airlines and British Airways are among the most exposed, they wrote. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up Shares of the major network carriers fell, including Air France-KLM, Deutsche Lufthansa and BA parent IAG in Europe. United Airlines Holdings and Delta Air Lines declined in premarket US trading. Singapore Airlines has halted flights to Dubai from the city-state since Sunday over security concerns. British Airways diverted a Dubai-bound flight to Zurich after it reached Saudi Arabia's airspace in the early hours of Sunday, according to data from Flightradar24. Another jet returned to Heathrow after going as far as Egypt. The London-based carrier earlier halted routes to Bahrain through the end of the month due to operational constraints and airspace restrictions. AFP and other outlets reported on the Air France suspensions. With no clear view on next steps, some companies began to take precautions. Japan's biggest banks are considering evacuating employees, with Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group beginning to pull out the families of staff. Japan's biggest bank has also halted unnecessary travel in and out of the region. Asian airlines have also taken steps to safeguard passengers and crews. Japan Airlines plans to have flights between Tokyo's Haneda airport and Doha avoid airspace above the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, adding about 20 minutes to journeys. Air India will progressively avoid the use of certain airspace over the Persian Gulf in the coming days. The actions follow President Donald Trump's decision to undertake the US' first direct military action against Iran after decades of hostility, pushing the Middle East into uncharted territory. The possibility of further disruption will depend on how forcefully Iran retaliates. Trump has threatened more attacks if Teheran doesn't capitulate. Even before the US strikes, several American and European airlines had paused flights to the United Arab Emirates and Qatar after Israel started bombarding Iran. The skies over large swaths of the Middle East have been restricted at several times during the past 20 months, making flying through Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Iran difficult. The closures have forced airlines to cancel flights on profitable routes, spend more on jet fuel and pass through countries they usually avoid like Afghanistan, as they avoid dangerous skies. It has also meant hundreds of disrupted flights and thousands of stranded passengers. Israel has started to allow outbound flights after halting them since its launched latest attacks on Iran starting Jun 13. Tel Aviv is expected to let about 1,000 passengers per day leave the country from Ben Gurion Airport and Haifa. The flights, which have a strict limit of 50 passengers per plane to prevent too many people from congregating and presenting a major target at the airport. The government will prioritise foreigners, diplomats, and nationals needing to evacuate for life-saving or humanitarian reasons. The UK is organising a chartered flight for British nationals who want to leave Israel, while Germany sent a military transport plane to extract citizens and France said it also plans repatriation flights. BLOOMBERG
