Middle East Airspace Diversions/Cancellations

[Noah Count]

Last night I was posting about duel citizen problems getting into the UK, today I cannot get out. All flights from the UK through DXB to AU have been cancelled. I have accomodation at the airport tonight for a morning flight tomorrow, with 4 flights cancelled today (just from Gatwick) I have been told my accomodation cannot be extended. I understand this, cough happens, I guess I will be heading back to London tomorrow to find another accomodation.

 

[IrishPete]

If this last more than a few days it would be smart to run QF LHR/CDG via the USA (assuming there are slots available at LAX/SFO/DFW).

Sure a small number of people wont want to travel via the US and request a refund BUT most I imagine would prefer to avoid flying anywhere near Russia or the ME right now.

Eff that. I won't be accepting a flight through the USA.

 

[IrishPete]

I wonder whether we'll be able to fly next weekend. We're on Qatar to London via Doha.

I'm in Ireland, due to fly back to Australia on Saturday on Qatar. Given it's proximity to Iran, it's likely to be the airline that's affected for longest.

First World problem - at least I'm not in Iran or Gaza, wondering when the next missile will land. (The various gulf states could just let Iran's missile continue to their US military targets instead of shooting them down over civilian areas.)

 

[lovestotravel]

 

[lovestotravel]

Be interesting to see how long it takes EK to recover from this..

 

[Skyring]

I wouldn’t say Saudi Arabia is a hostile country towards the rest of the world compared to places like Iran.

Iran is hardly hostile. I've been there a couple of times and it's very welcoming.

The government is nuts, but then again, there are other nutty governments around and it looks like they have found each other.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Affected airlines ex EU/UK should be providing duty of care and rerouting. That would cover hotels (check to see if the airline is providing these, if not, you can claim reasonable expenses). But extra accomm might not be needed if they reroute you.

Many travel insurances exclude any costs associates with war, civil commotion riot… etc. So additional costs for stranded pax may not be recoverable (before people go booking the Conrad Bali while they're waiting!)

 

[justinbrett]

If this last more than a few days it would be smart to run QF LHR/CDG via the USA (assuming there are slots available at LAX/SFO/DFW).

Sure a small number of people wont want to travel via the US and request a refund BUT most I imagine would prefer to avoid flying anywhere near Russia or the ME right now.

No need, the route from SIN is still open, both north (Caspian sea) and south (Egypt). BA, QF and SQ flights are getting through just fine.

 

[IrishPete]

Affected airlines ex EU/UK should be providing duty of care and rerouting. That would cover hotels (check to see if the airline is providing these, if not, you can claim reasonable expenses). But extra accomm might not be needed if they reroute you.

Many travel insurances exclude any costs associates with war, civil commotion riot… etc. So additional costs for stranded pax may not be recoverable (before people go booking the Conrad Bali while they're waiting!)

Airlines based in the affected area can't really reroute...

 

[Scarlett]

Some Middle East airspace remains open, or maybe that should be rephrased as the airspace remains open for some…


US tankers inbound: a 767 and a -135


NATO AEW Force aircraft inbound. Will be interesting to see where they orbit (how far up threat). Unless there has been some request by a middle eastern government they should remain in Turkish airspace.


Saudi’s have one of their AEW aircraft monitoring the airspace.

It’s surprising that some military aircraft continue to use ADS-B whilst on missions. There are probably about 100 or so others that are not visible.

 

[Tiki]

I had SAW-DOH-BNE booked for a few weeks time award in Y. I booked SQ (very surprised I found a seat) one day earlier because only 3 flights a week IST-SIN. I'm hoping VA won't charge me fees for cancelling DOH.

Outbound in BNE-BKK-MCT, hoping that is ok. They can avoid Iran fairly easily. I'm really getting fed up with the antics of YKW.

 

[IrishPete]

It’s surprising that some military aircraft continue to use ADS-B whilst on missions.

In early 2020 an Australian Army helicopter assisting with firefighting efforts, landed in Namadgi National Park for a break - cigarette? Toilet? - started a fire with one of its unnecessary landing lights (it was daytime) and took of in a hurry. Didn't tell anyone about the fire for an hour. The fire burned for five weeks and destroyed 80% of the park. Military intelligence is sometimes said to be an oxymoronic term..

 

[Scarlett]

QF9 continues its journey to LHR by transiting over Afghanistan. There have been plenty of BA, AA and AY jets using the same routing.



Most others still continue to route to the north and east of Afghanistan only overflying the Wakhan corridor.

I wonder if this is a very recent change for major western airlines to overfly AFG?

 

[IrishPete]

QF9 continues its journey to LHR by transiting over Afghanistan. There have been plenty of BA, AA and AY jets using the same routing.

View attachment 499251

Most others still continue to route to the north and east of Afghanistan only overflying the Wakhan corridor.

I wonder if this is a very recent change for major western airlines to overfly AFG?

There's a war between Pakistan and Afghanistan currently...

 

[AuSammy]

Interesting the different appetite for risk by different airlines.

At least one (MH) returning flights many hours before.conflict. Others not turning around or not even stopping takeoff even after hostilities commenced. At least one cancelling flights until Mar 7 another Mar 2.

 

[Tiki]

I had SAW-DOH-BNE booked for a few weeks time award in Y. I booked SQ (very surprised I found a seat) one day earlier because only 3 flights a week IST-SIN. I'm hoping VA won't charge me fees for cancelling DOH.

Outbound in BNE-BKK-MCT, hoping that is ok. They can avoid Iran fairly easily. I'm really getting fed up with the antics of YKW.

Qatar is now on Australian govt Do Not Travel list. I was able to get the QR flight cancelled with fees waived. The rep did have to put me on hold and consult with a supervisor but the points returend immediately, taxes she said take a few days.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Airlines based in the affected area can't really reroute...

Reroute on other carriers to final destination.

Rerouting subject to availability… lots of alternatives are pretty solidly booked now.

 

[justinbrett]

QF9 continues its journey to LHR by transiting over Afghanistan. There have been plenty of BA, AA and AY jets using the same routing.

View attachment 499251

Most others still continue to route to the north and east of Afghanistan only overflying the Wakhan corridor.

I wonder if this is a very recent change for major western airlines to overfly AFG?

FAA has permitted overflight of Afghanistan as long as it’s above FL320 (32,000), since July 2025.

There's a war between Pakistan and Afghanistan currently...

As above it’s a matter of altitude, unlikely that war will have any threats to aircraft at cruise altitude.

 

[Brissy1]

surprising that some military aircraft continue to use ADS-B

UAE tanker been airborne for 8½ hours with its transponder on. UAE to Iran about the same distance as Sydney to Newcastle.. Sending a message maybe

 

[kevviek]

So, my daughter’s due to fly to London this afternoon Virgin/Qatar via Doha. They are offering to rebook tomorrow, what’s the popular opinion on that vs just cancelling and trying to find an alternative route? Prices look to have doubled.