UAE urges citizens, residents, and visitors to check flight updates amid regional tension

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday urged citizens, residents, and visitors in the country to contact airlines directly to stay updated on flight schedules, due to current developments in the region that have affected some air travel.

In an advisory posted on its social media accounts, the Ministry stated: "In light of current regional developments and the impact on some flight operations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs urges UAE citizens, residents, and valued visitors to contact airlines directly for the latest updates on flight schedules."

The Ministry added: "We strongly encourage UAE nationals currently in Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Iran, and Israel to register with the 'Twajudi' service and to contact the Ministry in case of emergencies via the number: 0097180024."

Global airlines on Friday cancelled flights to Tel Aviv, Tehran and other Middle East destinations, or rerouted planes, as airspaces were shut off following Israeli strikes on Iran.

Abu Dhabi airport warned "flight disruptions are expected through today (Friday)" as a result of the Israeli strikes.

Dubai's airport also announced flight delays and cancellations due to the closure of airspaces in Iran, Iraq and Syria.

Emirates, the Middle East's largest airline, cancelled flights to and from Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Iran after Israel launched the strikes.

Israel, Iran, Iraq, Jordan and Syria closed their airspaces after Israel hit military and nuclear facilities in Iran. Israel said Tehran launched drones in retaliation.

Air India's New Delhi-Vienna and Mumbai-London flights were about to enter Iranian airspace when Israel launched its attack, forcing the planes to turn back to their origin, according to aircraft tracker Flight Aware.

Air India diverted or called back a total of 16 flights between India and London and cities in Canada and the United States "due to the emerging situation in Iran".

Qatar Airways, the country's national carrier and one of the Middle East's largest, said it had "temporarily cancelled flights to Iran and Iraq due to (the) current situation in the region".

Russia's aviation authority Rosaviatsiya instructed Russian airlines not to fly "in the airspace of Israel, Jordan, Iraq and Iran" or use airports in Israel and Iran.