Middle East Airspace Diversions/Cancellations

Qatar’s in (PR) damage control after the US embassy put out an alert telling people to shelter in place. Probably also addressing the airlines that have suspended services.

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HSB44 said:
So is there still risk from the houthis? Or on that heading are the missiles going over?
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They’re in Yemen not Saudi, and in any case I don’t think they are a credible risk to aircraft at cruse.
 
Qatar has closed its airspace - see what happens. Lots of flights diverting.

Looks like Persian gulf clearing of flights now too
 
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justinbrett said:
The US doesn’t have a base in Dubai, the Aussies do (Al Minhad), and sometimes the US has small numbers of people / aircraft there but it’s managed by the Aussies. When I say base, it’s a base within a base, as it is primarily a UAE base.

The US has a base in Abu Dhabi, Al Dhafra which is again within a UAE base. It’s massive. I spent 6 months deployed here when I was in the RAAF.

I can’t see Iran targeting these bases. The UAE government is publicly supporting the Iranian regime even though they have traditionally been rivals. A strike would damage Emirati infrastructure and make them join the war against them. Qatar is even more interesting as they are probably Iran’s best ally (remember the blockade?) so I really can’t imagine Iran turning on them.

I think for foreign airlines, the risk is similar to MH17.



EK are still flying. They’ve just suspended flights to Iran/Iraq.
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Just in from The Guardian/Reuters -

Explosions heard over Doha amid reports of Iran launching missiles towards US air bases in Qatar​

An Axios reporter, citing an Israeli official, said that six missiles had been launched by Iran directed towards US air bases in Qatar.
 
Reports that UAE also closed its airspace now - no movements at DXB or AUH now
 
RooFlyer said:
not doubting that it’s closed, just a bunch of ????? that the airline hasn’t put advice up.
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Probably as the situation is so dynamic at the moment and it’s only just occurred.

Bahrain also closed its airspace now too
 
Tehran has responded to the US strikes against three of its nuclear facilities by launching missiles against the Al Udeid Air base in Qatar – America’s largest installation in the Middle East.
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But it looks like it was 'no offence intended' from the Iranians to the Qataris. From The Australian on-line

Qatar was able to thwart the attack and intercept the missiles without any casualties. Its Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansa strongly condemned the attack and labeled it a “flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the State of Qatar, its airspace, international law and the United Nations Charter.”

Early information suggested that Iran had telegraphed the attack in advance to Qatari officials in a bid to minimise casualties, suggesting the regime was trying hard not to ignite a further retaliation from the Trump administration.
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Very interested to see what response, if any, this precipitates from the Gulf nations. Historically, unity has been in short supply in that part of the world but if it was ever likely in our time, the next week is probably the best chance.
 

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