Middle East Airspace Diversions/Cancellations

[Berlin]

He made it. Would that be the first A380 landing in DXB since the crisis began? That we know of, at least?

 

[lovestotravel]

Where can I see this update pls? I looked up QR website Travel Alerts page, but it only has the stock standard response - nothing specific?

https://x.com/qatarairways

 

[Drakecula]

https://x.com/qatarairways

@Ade looks like we can get a refund for those flights based on the latest update. Says: If you have a confirmed booking with a travel date between 28 February and 10 March 2026, you are eligible for: Complimentary date changes of up to 14 days from the original travel date, or a refund of the unused value of your ticket.

 

[Berlin]

There are another few ones trying to make it in or out- this time Etihad again.

 

[exLXCXFF]

There are another few ones trying to make it in or out- this time Etihad again.

View attachment 499418

I do wonder with all of these flights - are these uninsured flights in case something happens?

 

[Berlin]

I do wonder with all of these flights - are these uninsured flights in case something happens?

Yea- I don’t really understand this either. There are two more Etihad planes, one from Paris and one from Amsterdam, also in the vicinity clearly hoping to land.

And if the airlines deems those “safe enough” (whatever this means), why then not more? Given what is still happening with titt for tatt and missiles seemingly all over the region still, I would have honestly thought nothing would be moving through the affected airspaces. But obviously the airlines and military in these countries would have information that we aren’t prone to.

 

[lovestotravel]

Oh how I love that SQ fly closer than anyone else to the hot areas...

 

[Quickstatus]

are these uninsured flights in case something happens?

Given the ME3 are State owned entities, any insurancewould likely be underwritten by the State?

 

[jase05]

US has sent at least a dozen stratotankers to the ME which would be a sign that something big is about to kick off sadly

 

[exLXCXFF]

Given the ME3 are State owned entities, any insurancewould likely be underwritten by the State?

Yes, very likely that the UAE Government is backing this but it also needs to be the insurers behind (via brokers) providing standard aviation insurance - arguably at a very high premium these days.

 

[Berlin]

EY42 has landed safely and EY68 is just lining up to land. Likewise, I see a FlyDubai from Jeddah about to land in DXB.

Interestingly, the arrival and departure board for AUH looks pretty busy and strikingly different from those at DXB and DOH. Why would they think it’s much saver there than from the other two- it’s even the same country as DXB? Very confusing (and exciting, nevertheless, for any airline nerd out there). I just hope they’re all safe, no matter how many people are on board!

 

[Quickstatus]

it also needs to be the insurers behind (via brokers) providing standard aviation insurance

Why?
Lots of Govt entities even in Australia "self insure"

 

[exLXCXFF]

Why?
Lots of Govt entities even in Australia "self insure"

Under normal circumstances, airlines would have (give or take) these 3 insurance levels:

1 Standard liability insurance
2 Standard hull insurance
3 War-risk liability insurance
4 War-risk hull insurance

For 3 and 4, most T&Cs would cover you if you accidentally get yourself into this situation as war breaks out, but it would cover flights that you schedule while the war is full-on. When war is full-on, 3 and 4 is generally covered by Governments.

Brings you back to 1 and 2, this really comes down now to your negotiations with your insurer and/or government - and is obviously commercial in confidence. The Etihad and Emirates flights earlier today could either been flown under the existing policies for 1 & 2 (with very likely increased premiums) or - as you say - the UAE Government may have covered 1 & 2 as well.

 

[MELso]

QF9 is getting a fuel stop in SIN it seems from 4 March and is now QF209.

 

[Berlin]

And now there’s even an EK A380 departing from DXB. So for ever reason, they seem to be one a bit less risk averse- in the UAE at least, no such sign in Qatar yet.

Surely, even if there were “only” two pilots on board- EK would not wanna risk anything to one of their precious A380s or would they?

 

[lovestotravel]

In 2 hours, an update will be posted

https://x.com/qatarairways

I expect the same "Qatar Airways flight operations remain temporarily suspended due to the closure of Qatari airspace."

 

[jamesatfish]

QF9 is getting a fuel stop in SIN it seems from 4 March and is now QF209.

With QF209 now arriving 5 minutes before QF1 from Sydney there's going to be a whole lot more people trying to cram into the F and J lounges in SIN every evening!

 

[lovestotravel]

An EK pilot friend just texted the +1, and said as of now, no ETA for him to return to normal flying. He's currently in DXB

 

[Quickstatus]

QF9 is getting a fuel stop in SIN it seems from 4 March and is now QF209.

Most likely also crew change
....

How long can pilots not fly for before they have to redo training in the sim?

 

[OATEK]

“Friendly fire” will be a huge issue. Knocking down an F15 or two is one thing, but an airliner….. I would see it as an almost inevitable outcome of any attempt to return to any form of normal at the moment.

I see the Kuwaitis have already managed to bring down some US fighters with so called "friendly fire". It must be very stressful for any commercial pilots trying to land in the Gulf region.