UAE airlines cancel Iran flights amid rising regional tensions

Airlines operating in the UAE have suspended or rerouted several international flights on Tuesday, 21 July, following an escalation in regional military activity involving Iran. Dubai-based Emirates and flydubai, alongside Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways, confirmed disruptions to schedules as civil aviation authorities issued updated safety advisories for Middle Eastern airspace. Flight cancellations and route changes Emirates announced the cancellation of all flights to and from Tehran and Isfahan until further notice. The airline has also suspended services to Beirut, citing safety concerns. Flydubai confirmed it has cancelled its scheduled flights to Iran and Iraq today, while some services to Amman and Tel Aviv are undergoing review. Etihad Airways diverted several European and North American flights to avoid specific flight paths over the Gulf and the Levant, resulting in flight time increases of 45 to 90 minutes. The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) issued a notification to all national carriers to monitor developments and conduct thorough risk assessments before operating in regional corridors. This follows reports of missile activity and subsequent temporary closures of airspace in Iran, Iraq, and Jordan. Passengers are advised to verify flight statuses directly through airline websites or mobile applications before traveling to Dubai International (DXB) or Zayed International Airport (AUH). Impact on UAE travelers The disruption affects thousands of transit…