Unless tensions in the region involving Iran, Israel, and the United States are resolved, air travel within the United Arab Emirates will remain disrupted, as airlines are rearranging flight schedules. Travellers intending to travel on March 13 are encouraged to check the latest flight changes before going to the airport and to use only official airline websites to book and obtain information.
Limited flight Operations Continue
Key carriers in the UAE, such as Emirates and Etihad Airways, are flying selected flights and paying keen attention to the changing security situation in the region. A number of routes are now operating since the previous stops, but the number of scheduled flights is still lower than normal.
Flight paths and schedules of airlines are being changed to bypass the limited airspace in the Middle East. This has led to delays, increased travelling time, and last-minute adjustments to the schedules of some of the flights.
All passengers who fly via Dubai International Airport and Zayed International Airport are encouraged to ensure that they check their online flight status before going to the airport.
Emirates International Flight Departure Schedule, March 13
| Flight Number | Country | Departure Airport | Arrival Airport |
|---|---|---|---|
| EK 247 | Argentina | Dubai (DXB) | Buenos Aires |
| EK 406 | Australia | Dubai (DXB) | Melbourne |
| EK 420 | Australia | Dubai (DXB) | Perth |
| EK 412 | Australia | Dubai (DXB) | Sydney |
| EK 181 | Belgium | Dubai (DXB) | Brussels |
| EK 370 | Cambodia | Dubai (DXB) | Siem Reap |
| EK 241 | Canada | Dubai (DXB) | Toronto |
| EK 310 | China | Dubai (DXB) | Hangzhou |
| EK 362 | China | Dubai (DXB) | Guangzhou |
| EK 328 | China | Dubai (DXB) | Shenzhen |
| EK 109 | Cyprus | Dubai (DXB) | Larnaca |
| EK 151 | Denmark | Dubai (DXB) | Copenhagen |
| EK 923 | Egypt | Dubai (DXB) | Cairo |
| EK 071 | France | Dubai (DXB) | Paris |
| EK 075 | France | Dubai (DXB) | Paris |
| EK 043 | Germany | Dubai (DXB) | Frankfurt |
| EK 047 | Germany | Dubai (DXB) | Frankfurt |
| EK 209 | Greece | Dubai (DXB) | Athens |
| EK 380 | Hong Kong | Dubai (DXB) | Hong Kong |
| EK 111 | Hungary | Dubai (DXB) | Budapest |
| EK 510 | India | Dubai (DXB) | Delhi |
| EK 514 | India | Dubai (DXB) | Delhi |
| EK 524 | India | Dubai (DXB) | Hyderabad |
| EK 528 | India | Dubai (DXB) | Hyderabad |
| EK 500 | India | Dubai (DXB) | Mumbai |
| EK 358 | Indonesia | Dubai (DXB) | Jakarta |
| EK 163 | Ireland | Dubai (DXB) | Dublin |
| EK 312 | Japan | Dubai (DXB) | Tokyo Haneda |
| EK 903 | Jordan | Dubai (DXB) | Amman |
| EK 342 | Malaysia | Dubai (DXB) | Kuala Lumpur |
| EK 109 | Malta | Dubai (DXB) | Malta |
| EK 145 | Netherlands | Dubai (DXB) | Amsterdam |
| EK 159 | Norway | Dubai (DXB) | Oslo |
| EK 612 | Pakistan | Dubai (DXB) | Islamabad |
| EK 600 | Pakistan | Dubai (DXB) | Karachi |
| EK 606 | Pakistan | Dubai (DXB) | Karachi |
| EK 624 | Pakistan | Dubai (DXB) | Lahore |
| EK 336 | Philippines | Dubai (DXB) | Manila |
| EK 129 | Russia | Dubai (DXB) | Moscow |
| EK 133 | Russia | Dubai (DXB) | Moscow |
| EK 801 | Saudi Arabia | Dubai (DXB) | Jeddah |
| EK 803 | Saudi Arabia | Dubai (DXB) | Jeddah |
| EK 817 | Saudi Arabia | Dubai (DXB) | Riyadh |
| EK 809 | Saudi Arabia | Dubai (DXB) | Medina |
Regional Tension Affecting Aviation
The recent increase in tension between Iran, Israel and the United States has been felt in the aviation sector in the Middle East.
Flight cancellations and rerouting caused by airspace restrictions, heightened security actions and temporary flight bans in a number of countries have compelled airlines to cancel flights. These changes have impacted travellers in the Gulf region, including the United Arab Emirates.
The airlines are collaborating with aviation authorities to make sure that passengers are safe, as well as to slowly recover operations. Nevertheless, the whole state of affairs is dynamic, and the timetables can keep varying based on security dynamics.
Emirates and Etihad Issue Scam Alerts
In addition to the operational interference, both Emirates and Etihad Airways have cautioned passengers of a rise in the number of online ticket frauds.
The airlines said that fraudsters are exploiting the existing travel disruptions to set up counterfeit social media accounts and pose as airline employees. Such fraudsters usually offer discounted fares, immediate refunds, or special rebooking in case of cancelled flights.
It is also not recommended that passengers provide any known contacts with booking references, passport details, and payment information. Airlines emphasize that flight changes, refunds, or rebookings must be considered only via the official websites, checked offices with the airlines, or legitimate travel agents.
Important Travel Advice for Passengers
To prevent inconvenience, several precautions should be taken by travellers who are planning to fly on March 13:
- Before going to the airport, it is better to verify the flight status using the official airline websites.
- Arrive early because of the possible delays and other security checks.
- Do not buy the tickets via unofficial social media accounts or unknown agents.
- Monitor airline announcements for the latest travel advisories
Airlines claim to keep reviewing schedules on a daily basis and will vary operations based on the security situation in the region.
For readers who want to keep track of ongoing regional developments and insights in one place, resources such as arabupdate can provide a convenient way to follow the latest discussions and updates related to the Arab world.
