Stanisland Magazine

International flights to Dubai and the UAE canceled due to rising concerns about a regional war between Israel and Iran.

Concerns about a regional war have grown following the cancellation of flights from the UK, Iraq, Iran and Jordan to Dubai.

Routes to Oman have also been restricted or suspended entirely due to the threat of a conflict in the Middle East between Israel and Iran.

Dubai hosts a large tourism industry, following its rapid urbanisation, catalysing population growth from 500,000 people in 1990 to 3.05 million. Some studies suggest this could increase to 5.8 million by 2040.

How Are Flights Affected?

Due to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Lebanon, many flights are being suspended because of hostilities in the region. With the war in Ukraine continuing into its third year, options for connecting flights appear to be shrinking each day. 

Qatar Airways and Emirates Airlines, two of the regions biggest carriers, have experienced severe strain, having suspended or rerouted services. 

One flight from Paris to Mumbai via an Airbus A350 was diverted last week, and asked to return following missile strikes by Iran. This raises the question of whether the United Arab Emirates has advanced information regarding a potential threat to safety.

Why Tensions Are Rising In The Middle East

Last week, Iran launched retaliatory strikes at Israeli targets in response to the killing of Hasan Nasrallah in Beirut and the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran earlier this year. Tel Aviv was also responsible for a strike on their the Iranian consulate in Damascus, killing 16 people including fighters, soldiers, and civilians.

In October 2023, Hamas launched an attack that killed 1,600 Israelis following years of a blockade on Gaza. This crippled its economy, and saw the IDF (Israeli Defence Force) kill more than 5,000 Palestinians. 

Israel is also suspected of launching a devastating bombing campaign in Lebanon using pagers and walkie-talkies. It killed 42 people, injuring more than 3,500.