Airlines divert flights to Iran

Iran closed airports in Isfahan, Tehran and Shiraz following a security alert

Airlines have cancelled or diverted many flights to Iran following a security alert.

UAE-based airline Flydubai was among the carriers that had to cancel flights to the Iranian capital of Tehran on Friday 19 April 2024 after receiving an official alert.

Flydubai flight FZ1929 from Dubai, UAE to Tehran, Iran returned to Dubai due to the closure of Tehran Airport (IKA).

A Flydubai spokesperson said: "In line with the issued NOTAM [Notice to Air Missions], our flights to Iran today have been cancelled."

The alert concerned reports of an explosion near the city of Isfahan in Iran. News sources have suggested the explosion was a retaliatory attack by Israel following Iran's drone strike on Israel last week.

Flight tracking website FlightRadar24 reported that Iran closed airports in Isfahan, Tehran and Shiraz and cleared flights from the western portion of its airspace for a few hours after the attack.

Airlines are monitoring the situation and will make changes to flight paths in consultation with the relevant authorities.

In the wake of disruption caused by storms and heavy rainfall across the GCC region, all travellers in the area have been advised to check flight times before departing for their designated airport.

Since the storms struck, 1,478 flights have been cancelled to and from Dubai, according to FlightRadar24.

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