Middle East Airspace Diversions/Cancellations

[LondonAussie]

Qantas is operating an additional Sydney to London via Singapore A380 this Saturday. How good is an "operational spare"!

QF331 still has seats available including Classic Plus seats.

Any idea how much they are charging for it?

I guess they got one of EK’s landing slots at LHR?

Departs Sydney at 22.15 and arrives 14.00 on Sunday.

Good timing, I’d take that if it was a regular option over the 6am arrival into London.

 

[drron]

Scroo Turner was on TV tonight saying those on the EK flight are all EK passengers so no other repatriation people. Some of his employees are on board.

 

[mbe1510]

Any idea how much they are charging for it?

I guess they got one of EK’s landing slots at LHR?



Good timing, I’d take that if it was a regular option over the 6am arrival into London.

A few hours ago it was $1700 one way for a saver fare and about $2500 for flex in Y. 164,000 using points. Now flex is all that is left at $3100. Premium economy currently from $4100, Business currently $13,000 and first class $15,500.

 

[ayebee]

OT, but does relate to "traffic" just on water rather than airborne.
I find this guy pretty plugged in to what is happening with shipping.
The map replay during the video is fascinating.

 

[clifford]

OT, but does relate to "traffic" just on water rather than airborne.
I find this guy pretty plugged in to what is happening with shipping.
The map replay during the video is fascinating.

So what traffic are you currently seeing in the Gulf of Hormuz?

 

[JohnM]

OT, but does relate to "traffic" just on water rather than airborne.
I find this guy pretty plugged in to what is happening with shipping.
The map replay during the video is fascinating.

It's only ships. From Marine Traffic: https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/home/centerx:-62.8/centery:13.5/zoom:2

 

[prozac]

Scroo Turner was on TV tonight saying those on the EK flight are all EK passengers so no other repatriation people. Some of his employees are on board.

who?

 

[LionKing]

According to DXB Airport website, there maybe a EK415 operating tomorrow.

 

[VPS]

who?

Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame

Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame

leaders.slq.qld.gov.au

Mr Flight Centre

 

[Berlin]

the US consulate in DXB was recently hit - seems crazy anyone would be flying.

Yea- these two things don’t seem to match up at all.

Yet the region is starting to look “almost” like usual, besides the big gap up in Qatar there.

 

[RooFlyer]

Yet the region is starting to look “almost” like usual, besides the big gap up in Qatar there.

Yep, its even surprised me - 'it'll start earlier than we thought'. But I'm sure everyone will scurry back to ports if drones are seen/hit, but presumably will re-start again equally promptly.

Yes, what's with Qatar and DOH? Suspicious that they are/were close to Iran, but have been attacked and have reserved the right to retaliate. Maybe under direct threat of "we'll target planes arriving/departing the airport"?

 

[JessicaTam]

Yep, its even surprised me - 'it'll start earlier than we thought'. But I'm sure everyone will scurry back to ports if drones are seen/hit, but presumably will re-start again equally promptly.

Yes, what's with Qatar and DOH? Suspicious that they are/were closed to Iran, but have been attacked and have reserved the right to retaliate. Maybe under direct threat of "we'll target planes arriving/departing the airport"?

It may be because Qatar has the largest US base in the ME. Too big a target to risk opening commercial airspace.

 

[OATEK]

EK414 about to land at SYD. It will be interesting to see what stories emerge from the pax.

 

[LionKing]

EK414 about to land at SYD. It will be interesting to see what stories emerge from the pax.

It has arrived and we should start hearing stories soon

 

[bdl]

It's annoying that they post to Twot, as I deleted my account.

Use this link instead https://xcancel.com/qatarairways

 

[mbe1510]

Emirates has announced that all schedule flights to and from Dubai remain suspended until 2359hrs UAE time on 7 March, due to airspace closures across the region. Obviously this does not include the special flights being operated.

Different from the usual day by day approach so interesting if a big military push is about to happen

 

[Aeryn]

As I understand it the passenger flights that have been operating are to get stranded passengers home or to a port from which they can safely get home. I don't think they are selling seats on these flights to locals who just want to go on holiday.

I also suspect apart from crew/locals returning home, the return flights would be pretty empty. Anyone needing to leave Aus that had a flight with a ME stop would still be wise to delay return or fly on an airline not transiting or flying over these areas. Afterall if you depart Aus now for the ME your insurance is void.

 

[Noah Count]

I am just suck in the UK, Y flights I have been quoted up to 26k. I am now doing the family hop around the UK staying with family for a day or two and then moving on. Hopefully I will get back to AU next week.

 

[N860CR]

Yes Seat Son is a long term resident of the UAE -5 years in Dubai and now 3 years in Abu Dhabi. He only wants to leave to go to his wedding in South Africa and will then be straight back “home” to the UAE.

Same. Although I’m in Qatar but it’s largely life as normal here. Been quiet for the last 24 hours. Apparently it’s worse in the suburbs so I shouldn’t make blanket statements, buts it’s only really been one night of great excitement in the city.

Worst part is not being able to head to Aus next week (would have been my first visit in a very long time).

 

[SimonR32]

So....

G'day from Dubai! Here with my wife and 13 month old. Landed here Friday morning and meant to fly to Maldives on Monday.

Saw the war started Saturday morning and was keeping an eye on it on X but wasn't concerned because we are in the UAE not Qatar or Israel. Mid morning we were at the beach and there was a huge thunder clap above us which turned out to be the first drone intercepted directly above our heads. Strikes were escalating during the day and then really kicked off at sunset. We were at the Ritz-Carlton in JBR and were getting intercepts directly above our resort more and more often. Came to a head around 7pm after sunset when there were multiple drone intercepts above the alfresco restaurant at the resort where we were eating and a firey ballistic missile falling into the ocean just off the coast. Everyone was rushed inside and then shortly after the restaurant was closed. This was the same time the Fairmont got hit. For next 2 days we were basically confined to our rooms. We got phone alerts and were smashed all that night, a fair bit the next day and sunset again on Sunday night. Managed to gain some courage and take the baby out on Monday morning to some play equipment in the resort grounds as he was getting stir crazy and needed to get out. Unfortunately for the first time in around 15 hours we had 3 intercepts directly over our heads at fairly low level, had to grab the baby and run for cover.

I've got photos and videos of drones being intercepted, missiles falling from the sky, F16's flying at low altitude with full air to air payloads. The intercepts are so close you can feel the percussion in your chest and taste/smell the remnants. It was insane, we've moved hotels and now there is a lot less strikes. We're all a bit shook up, any bassy noise is getting us jumpy and the bub is clearly concerned. Haven't really slept since Saturday night so if this post makes no sense, don't blame me.

Flights have been delayed and delayed and now we are just trying to get back to Perth, were booked on EK420 on the 7th but that has been cancelled. Still getting over 100 drones a day being intercepted so I can't see it getting back into swing of things for a while. We are registered on DFAT crisis but I don't think they know what to do with this many people.

Oh, and on the UAE is paying for hotels, that's incorrect reporting, Abu Dhabi is footing the bill, in Dubai people are just on fixed rates, so at the moment we are coping the hotel costs and as others have mentioned no insurance because of war. We are ok but others are clearly running into financial difficulties.

Fingers crossed we can get home sometime soon, getting out of UAE airspace is going to be the biggest sigh of relief