Middle East Airspace Diversions/Cancellations

[Harrison_133]

Operations temporarily suspended at DXB...again

https://twitter.com/x/status/2030184598869778694

 

[LionKing]

Attention passengers!
Due to imminent threat and missles near DXB, all Emirates services have now been suspended until further notice.


Clearly situation remains volatile.

 

[IrishPete]

Love his use of "less than one a day" - you mean zero? I don't think airlines even offered AU to Europe via USA/Canada as a regular one-way or return on the same booking, unless it was a round-the-world or maybe constructed via a multi-city booking, where I'm sure the prices probably never made it worth the hassle, until now.

No, less than one a day means it's an average of between zero and one per day. Even if the average is less than 0.5 it would be deceptive to round it down and say "zero", as it would imply they never receive any such bookings.

Of course for many of us, transiting through the USA simply isn't feasible.

 

[Quickstatus]

I understand that Iran is going to stop sending missiles/drones over to their neighbours (unless attacked from there) according to the interim Iran President

 

[LondonAussie]

I understand that Iran is going to stop sending missiles/drones over to their neighbours (unless attacked from there) according to the interim Iran President

This is what BBC has just reported

 

[Quickstatus]

This is what BBC has just reported

I prefer to avoid BBC.
The link above directs to the actual video by the president(though it's via X)

Surely that falls below their editorial standard?

Unless it is above their editorial standard?

 

[Andy72]

I bit the bullet and cancelled my Emerites F tickets to Milan Via the Dubai. Luckily managed to get Qantas F to LAX released and surprisingly a paid LAX Milan ticket in W for 1100 USD. More status credits at least and a visit to my favorite Mexican restaurant in LA. Arrive 12 hours later but basically slightly cost positive due to Emirates huge charges. Might be my last attempt at ME3, my fav is JAL but to be honest Qantas and Cathay are great too.

 

[IrishPete]

Perhaps should

Out of pure curiosity (and also because we got guests from Germany here in Sydney atm who are booked to go back on QR in a weeks time) - how is QR treating its passengers through all this? While they have a great product onboard, we’ve started to loathe them whenever there are delays or issues on the ground. Clueless staff in Doha (friendly but zero empowered or informed to help with anything flight related- even in the lounges), generally bad information policies and some pretty bad recent experiences in Doha airport. I cannot even fathom all this stuff now if you’re stuck in Doha- both the UAE airlines have always been much much better in this respect from my experience.

Just curious to know. Actually- the last two years we went on QR for our annual Europe trip. We had SUCH bad experiences with delays at DOH last time around, that this time we booked Cathay rather. And now I’m counting my lucky stars that we did!

I've had zero communication from Qatar Airways about the situation, apart from the occasional ephemeral notification in their app. No email or SMS contact which would be far more certain to get through to the customer. Initially the app (nor website) wouldn't even allow me to cancel my flights (booked direct with the airline), and requested I call them or use live chat, both of which had enormous wait times. The live chat only seems to be available on a computer, and the wait time started at 20 minutes, counted down to about 15 and then went back to 20, repeatedly. But the ability to cancel became available in the app after a few days, and I have cancelled and refund has been received.

My partner's flight was paid for with Velocity Points and was easier to cancel, though there's no sign of a refund of the points or cash copayment yet. As far as I know they also had no communication from either Qatar Airways or Virgin, though they often miss emails and don't check their spam folder often. I might check today that it is cancelled!

 

[XavierP]

I bit the bullet and cancelled my Emerites F tickets to Milan Via the Dubai. Luckily managed to get Qantas F to LAX released and surprisingly a paid LAX Milan ticket in W for 1100 USD. More status credits at least and a visit to my favorite Mexican restaurant in LA. Arrive 12 hours later but basically slightly cost positive due to Emirates huge charges. Might be my last attempt at ME3, my fav is JAL but to be honest Qantas and Cathay are great too.

What is your fav Mexican restaurant in LA?

 

[Seat0B]

Arghhhhhhh. Thank goodness for Plan B.

 

[RooFlyer]

I’ve settled my plan B. Here.

 

[IrishPete]

9 January or 9 March? Assuming you mean 9 March.

As mentioned previously, your own rebooking was unnecessary and would have been fully covered under EU261 ex DUB, all the way to Canberra in business class.

As QR has cancelled the flight, that triggers the duty of care (for meals and accommodation if necessary) and for re-rerouting on another carrier to you final destination.

Month fixed, thanks. I'm clearly not at all stressed by this (and staying with my 92yo mother with dementia, who I'm simultaneously trying to get more care for, as she lives alone).

 

[IrishPete]

Although by doing it himself @IrishPete found PE to SIN and then ScootBiz to SYD instead of his original Y all the way. As QR only need to rebook in the original fare class I would say that is a win.

Certainty and an upgrade!

It's probably $3500 out of pocket and rising, just for the transport costs. I'm not incurring any significant accommodation costs.

Much as I'd like Qatar to pay, not being able to actually communicate with them makes that somewhat difficult. Perhaps I'll chase them after I get back to Australia. it does seem unfair for the EU to require the airline to pay, but allow travel insurers off the hook.

 

[serfty]

It's probably $3500 out of pocket and rising, just for the transport costs. I'm not incurring any significant accommodation costs.

Much as I'd like Qatar to pay, not being able to actually communicate with them makes that somewhat difficult. Perhaps I'll chase them after I get back to Australia. it does seem unfair for the EU to require the airline to pay, but allow travel insurers off the hook.

Never fear, Travel insurers generally do identify disruptions where EU/UK 261/2006 may apply and put to onus on the airlines to cough up where mandated.

 

[exLXCXFF]

I am not sure whether reported before but all EK diversions a couple of hours ago led to certainly some unexpected visitors with EK4 diverting to Al Ain air base — not sure how often they see an A380 and how people disembark there.

And here seems to be the reason why the diversions happened: Watch: Iranian drone drone hits Dubai International Airport

that was pretty close to hit the Concurse A

 

[Melburnian1]

Attention passengers!
Due to imminent threat and missles near DXB, all Emirates services have now been suspended until further notice.
View attachment 499802

Clearly situation remains volatile.

I read that a couple of hours ago, but 'The Australian' is now reporting DXB airport has reopened.

A surprise to have such change so quickly. Like all of us, I weigh risk v reward but this sudden change doesn't inspire confidence.

 

[PineappleSkip]

that was pretty close to hit the Concurse A

Yes, it's just off the north end of Concourse A

Al Jazeera has noted that a drone attack against Qatar was released immediately after the Iranian Interim Presidents statement.

Unpacking Iranian president’s statement​

As we have just reported, Qatar said it thwarted a missile attack minutes after Iranian media released a pre-recorded video of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian saying that neighbouring countries would no longer be targeted if no attacks originated from their soil.

Our colleague Resul Serdar, who has extensively covered Iranian politics, has offered some context to better understand the situation:

“Political figures in Iran are responsible on running state affairs and ‘non-strategic’ affairs. But when it comes to strategic affairs, such as the country’s foreign and security policies, politicians don’t have a say, including the president who according to the constitution is the number two in charge – this is a very well know fact in Iran,” Serdar said.

The centre of power lies with the office of the Supreme Leader and with the IRGC, even during peace time. Now that the country faces what it sees as a war of survival, Pezeshkian is likely not in a position to stop any attacks as “the IRGC is now in charge fully”.

“They will decide whether to attack or not,” Resul said, adding that the new Revolutionary Guards’ chief, Ahmad Vahidi, is considered one of the “most radical commanders” of the group since its foundation.

“I don’t think Pezeshkian or other politicians will have any influence when it comes to security politics,” he added.

 

[33kft]

I understand that Iran is going to stop sending missiles/drones over to their neighbours (unless attacked from there) according to the interim Iran President

Any minute now?

Does seem to confirm the earlier suggestions that central control of Iranian military doesn't really exist and any promises made would be best taken with a large dose of salt

 

[clifford]

that was pretty close to hit the Concurse A

Just be thankful it didn't damage the runways.

 

[IrishPete]

Never fear, Travel insurers generally do identify disruptions where EU/UK 261/2006 may apply and put to onus on the airlines to cough up where mandated.

My understanding is that travel insurances see armed conflict and wash their hands of it.