London-based British Airways has canceled multiple flights to Dubai and diverted two planes that were en route to the emirate overnight, according to data from Flightradar24. One flight departed from Heathrow Airport on Saturday night but was redirected to Zurich upon entering Saudi Arabian airspace early Sunday. Another flight destined for Dubai returned to Heathrow after reaching as far as Egypt.
The airline also canceled Sunday flights to Doha, Qatar’s capital, and suspended routes to Bahrain until the end of the month due to operational limitations and airspace restrictions. British Airways indicated it has modified its flight schedule in light of recent developments to prioritize the safety of its customers and crew.
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On Sunday, Singapore Airlines announced the cancellation of two flights between Singapore and Dubai, cautioned in an advisory that other flights between the Southeast Asian nation and the emirates could also be impacted “as the situation remains fluid.”
Several American and European carriers suspended flights to the United Arab Emirates and Qatar last week after Israel began its bombardment of Iran. This reflects increasing concerns in a region of the Middle East that is usually viewed as safe and insulated from regional turmoil.
US President Donald Trump stated that American bombers targeted Iran’s three main nuclear sites on Sunday and issued threats of further attacks if Tehran does not succumb, drawing the US directly into the nation’s conflict with Israel, despite his longstanding promises to avoid new military entanglements.
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Iran has issued threats to strike US bases in the Persian Gulf if Washington intervenes and to close the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil trade route that it shares with the UAE and Oman. Qatar is home to the largest US base in the region, while Bahrain hosts the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet.
Bahrain announced on Sunday that it is implementing remote work for 70% of its government ministries and departments in response to regional events.
(Edited by : Jerome Anthony)
First Published: Jun 22, 2025 7:07 PM IST
