Flight disruptions across the United Arab Emirates continued on Tuesday, affecting several regional and international services.
Delays and cancellations were reported at Dubai International Airport and Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi.
The disruptions come amid heightened regional security concerns and separate aviation problems linked to volcanic ash in Indonesia.
Air Arabia has cancelled several flights connecting the UAE with Kuwait and Bahrain. The affected services include multiple flights from Sharjah to Kuwait and Bahrain.
An Abu Dhabi-Kuwait service has also been cancelled.
Air Arabia Flights Face Delays and Cancellations
Several Air Arabia Abu Dhabi services to other international destinations have also faced delays.
Affected destinations include Cairo, Calicut, Chennai, Kochi and Ahmedabad. Flights to Sialkot, Multan, Bahrain, Yerevan, Tbilisi and Almaty have also experienced delays.
Passengers should check their latest flight status before travelling to the airport. Schedules could change at short notice as airlines respond to operational and regional developments.
Etihad and Emirates Services Also Affected
Etihad Airways continues to operate most services connecting Abu Dhabi with Bahrain and Kuwait.
However, several flights departing from Abu Dhabi have faced delays. Emirates is also maintaining limited services between Dubai, Bahrain and Kuwait.
Some other international services departing Dubai have experienced delays or cancellations. The disruption is not linked to one single factor.
Airlines continue adjusting operations because of security concerns across the wider Middle East.
Operational issues have also placed additional pressure on regional air travel.
Indonesia Volcanic Ash Disrupts Flights
Volcanic activity in Indonesia has created another challenge for airlines operating between the UAE and Southeast Asia.
Ash from Mount Anak Krakatau has disrupted flights between the UAE and Indonesia.
Emirates cancelled three Dubai-Jakarta services on September 8. Other airlines have also adjusted their operations because of the volcanic activity.
Indonesia has since reopened Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta Airport and several other airports following ash-related closures. However, authorities continue monitoring volcanic activity and its potential impact on aviation.
Reports indicate the disruption affected nearly 3,000 flights and around 340,000 passengers.
Air France Extends Dubai Flight Suspension
Air France has meanwhile extended its suspension of services to Dubai. The airline continues to monitor security conditions across the region.
Several other international airlines have also maintained or extended restrictions on selected Middle Eastern routes.
The situation could continue affecting departure and arrival schedules across major UAE airports. Passengers booked with Air Arabia or other affected airlines should confirm their flight status before starting their journey.
Travelers should rely on their airline’s latest updates for cancellation, delay and rebooking information.
In other news read more about: ‘Unprecedented’ Rescue Efforts Continue After China-Nepal Disaster
With schedules remaining subject to change, Air Arabia passengers are advised to check their bookings regularly before departure.
