Middle East Airspace Diversions/Cancellations

[Berlin]

Iranian military ordered to counter any attack swiftly and without restraint

Iran's military chiefs should meet any attack on its country with an immediate and unrestrained response, Supreme Leader Mjotaba Khamenei has ordered.

www.abc.net.au

Lots of reports it will kick off this week

When are the mid terms, is it this Tuesday? That would explain the rumours- my strong guess would be that the US just waited until after the elections. But my guess is as good as anyone’s

 

[MELso]

When are the mid terms, is it this Tuesday? That would explain the rumours- my strong guess would be that the US just waited until after the elections. But my guess is as good as anyone’s

Yup. Wednesday AEDT. But it probably won't happen straight away - give it a few days I think.

 

[jrfsp]

Yup. Wednesday AEDT. But it probably won't happen straight away - give it a few days I think.

US have launched strikes, didn’t even wait till after the midterms

 

[I love to travel]

US have launched strikes, didn’t even wait till after the midterms

Limited defensive strikes

 

[RooFlyer]

US have launched strikes, didn’t even wait till after the midterms

Which is why I changed my QR transit of Doha to the early morning of the 2nd. ( yesterday). A pretty normal, very pleasant transit of Doha and the terminal was crowded as usual.

 

[Seat0B]

Off thread, but not really - Seat Grandson has been born safely on 4 Nov in Dubai .

We are leaving in 16 days and 13 hrs (but who’s counting) CBR-MEL-DXB and now I’ve seen photos and videos of the little darling I am firm in my decision to go no matter what the state of the ME airspace.

 

[AIRwin]

Seat Grandson has been born safely on 4 Nov in Dubai .

Congrats on the safe (on-time?) landing!

 

[RooFlyer]

Off thread, but not really - Seat Grandson has been born safely on 4 Nov in Dubai .

We are leaving in 16 days and 13 hrs (but who’s counting) CBR-MEL-DXB and now I’ve seen photos and videos of the little darling I am firm in my decision to go no matter what the state of the ME airspace.

NOTAM to be issued:

Outta da way! Grandma coming through on Emirates flight EK xx_x

 

[ellen10]

Off thread, but not really - Seat Grandson has been born safely on 4 Nov in Dubai .

Congratualions @Seat0B a new little grandson to love, very special

 

[VPS]

Off thread, but not really - Seat Grandson has been born safely on 4 Nov in Dubai .

We are leaving in 16 days and 13 hrs (but who’s counting) CBR-MEL-DXB and now I’ve seen photos and videos of the little darling I am firm in my decision to go no matter what the state of the ME airspace.

Congratulations and safe travels

 

[Melburnian1]

We hear little about Riyadh Air, the supposed new eventually huge player in Middle East aviation offerings.

The bombing of an Armaco (oil company) office tower in Saudi Arabia, coupled with previous attacks on the main Saudi international airport that resulted in a multi-day closure must be financially hitting this newbie airline hard.

How can one have confidence in travelling through Saudi Arabia (even if flight connections exist) when sections of an airport terminal have recently been destroyed?

 

[Berlin]

How can one have confidence in travelling through Saudi Arabia (even if flight connections exist) when sections of an airport terminal have recently been destroyed?

How any one would want to fly on a dry airline is a riddle to me to begin with but yes, the idea of traveling through Saudi Arabia right now is in itself not a very nice prospect.

I personally wouldn’t even travel through the UAE or Qatar right now but everyone’s risk tolerance is different.

 

[Melburnian1]

How any one would want to fly on a dry airline is a riddle to me to begin with...

Yes, agree but "maybe" despite the absence of alcohol and my much loved pork, I may consider as have found a MNL-LHR/MXP-MNL via JED in both directions J fare in August 2027 for an outstanding P113000 return (A$2600). JED hasn't been attacked by Houthis as far as I know, unlike RX's base.

Behind the scenes Tony Douglas (CEO of the new RX) may be lobbying very hard for alcohol to be permitted as there is no logic as to how (in the same region) EK, EY and WY serve it but SU and RX do not. (They are different nations, and while I am no expert, different strands of Islam).

 

[elanshin]

How any one would want to fly on a dry airline is a riddle to me to begin with

You'd be surprised, but younger generation are basically forgoing alcohol and wondering when the airlines will catch up to the newer trends. (The Aussie wine and beer industry is reporting huge drops in sales over the last few years domestically).

but yes, the idea of traveling through Saudi Arabia right now is in itself not a very nice prospect.

That i think is much harder to sell right now.

We hear little about Riyadh Air, the supposed new eventually huge player in Middle East aviation offerings.

The bombing of an Armaco (oil company) office tower in Saudi Arabia, coupled with previous attacks on the main Saudi international airport that resulted in a multi-day closure must be financially hitting this newbie airline hard.

I suspect RX will quietly get ops going now wrinkle things out as much as they can within this turmoil. Then probably do a push once things are more "normal".

 

[elanshin]

Behind the scenes Tony Douglas (CEO of the new RX) may be lobbying very hard for alcohol to be permitted as there is no logic as to how (in the same region) EK, EY and WY serve it but SU and RX do not. (They are different nations, and while I am no expert, different strands of Islam).

Saudi is much more conservative as a country. It's not even that long ago it'd be hard to get a tourist visa. Things are moving very fast and the idea and wording from Tony Douglas has always been "within the framework of the law".

There's already potential hotels or "foreign" zones where it'll be allowed and likely RX may follow suit

 

[lovestotravel]

You'd be surprised, but younger generation are basically forgoing alcohol and wondering when the airlines will catch up to the newer trends. (The Aussie wine and beer industry is reporting huge drops in sales over the last few years domestically).

Agree to less drinking, but that's mainly as they can't afford it, the taxes in AU are insane, and getting pills/potions etc is far cheaper and easy nowadays.

 

[RooFlyer]

How can one have confidence in travelling through Saudi Arabia (even if flight connections exist) when sections of an airport terminal have recently been destroyed?

I was a 'Founder' member of their loyalty scheme and can't wait to try them out.

How any one would want to fly on a dry airline is a riddle to me to begin with but yes, the idea of traveling through Saudi Arabia right now is in itself not a very nice prospect.

Price and experience. Goodness knows I love a drink, but for $1K - $2K saving to Europe, I'd certainly have no probs. I recently went dry in Istanbul for 4 days! Hotel was dry (I didn't know it when booking). Felt very virtuous afterwards.

Behind the scenes Tony Douglas (CEO of the new RX) may be lobbying very hard for alcohol to be permitted as there is no logic as to how (in the same region) EK, EY and WY serve it but SU and RX do not. (They are different nations, and while I am no expert, different strands of Islam).

There's already potential hotels or "foreign" zones where it'll be allowed and likely RX may follow suit

Yes. Saudi as a whole are going all out for tourism - some of their Red Sea resorts are incredible. 'Gating' them for westerners and serving booze will be a no-brainer and then you can easily see things being relaxed in the air.

As an example of laws/customs being relaxed, when I was in Saudi earler this year, in a couple of tourist-type hotels, the ladies serving in the restaurants were veil-free; lady tourists very commonly so, even outdoors.

 

[offshore171]

You'd be surprised, but younger generation are basically forgoing alcohol and wondering when the airlines will catch up to the newer trends. (

I enjoy trying all sorts of local wine and beer at my travel destinations all over the world, but I rarely drink alcohol on the plane.

The low cabin pressure and ultra low humidity makes it taste inferior, and it also exacerbates dehydration. Prefer juice, water and soft drinks inflight.

That said, I still wouldn't fly Riyadh Air!

YMMV