Middle East Airspace Diversions/Cancellations

[jrfsp]

https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/qatar-airways-retires-idle-a330s-sends-pilots-rwandair-iran-war-drags-2026-09-25/

Certainly having an impact for the ME3

 

[RooFlyer]

Smarttraveller has just adjusted its advice level for Qatar: and the UAE:

We have lowered our advice for Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to 'Level 2: Exercise a high degree of caution'.

Level 3 countries are:

• Bahrain
• Israel
• Jordan
• Kuwait
• Oman
• Saudi Arabia

Must say I’m surprised at Qatar and UAE being above Oman and Jordan.

I’ve changed my forthcoming trip, to transit through Qatar on 1 November, avoiding the US midterm elections on the 3rd.

 

[lovestotravel]

EK still only running 2 daily MEL-DXB services
But yes after Mid-Term elections I'm not holding my breath

 

[jrfsp]

There’s always a political element to the travel advice sadly, the US for instance is always “green” while some European countries are often “yellow”. I know where I feel safer!

Meanwhile in the ME a large explosion has been reported at Riyadh airport and is apparently closed but as usual in the region - no official confirmation.