British Airways and Singapore Airlines cancel services to UAE and Qatar
British Airways and Singapore Airlines have temporarily suspended flights to Dubai and Doha following a dramatic escalation in the Iran-Israeli conflict, with both carriers citing passenger and crew safety as their top priority.
The cancellations began on Sunday 22 June, after the US launched airstrikes against Iranian nuclear sites, prompting a rapid deterioration in airspace security across the Middle East.
A BA spokesman said: "As a result of recent events, we have adjusted our flight schedule to ensure the safety of our customers and crew, which is our top priority.”
British Airways confirmed that all flights from London Heathrow to Dubai and Doha scheduled for 22-23 June and their subsequent returns were cancelled, with a flexible booking policy in place for affected passengers.
“Those due to travel between now and 24 June can rebook on to a later flight up to and including July 6, free of charge, by contacting us by phone,” the airline said.
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The airline added that it is "working to reach all those affected" and will continue to monitor the situation before making further decisions on resuming services.
British Airways has also halted flights to Bahrain until the end of June, underscoring the scale of disruption across the Gulf region.
Singapore Airlines, meanwhile, has cancelled its twice-daily Singapore-Dubai service from 22 through 25 June. The airline is contacting all affected customers, offering re-accommodation on alternative flights or full refunds, and has warned that further disruptions may occur as the situation remains fluid.
The latest wave of cancellations follows a series of earlier suspensions by other major carriers as tensions in the region have intensified. American Airlines and United Airlines both suspended flights to Doha and Dubai, respectively, in the days leading up to the US strikes, while Air Canada has also halted services to Dubai.
Air France and KLM cancelled flights to Dubai and Riyadh on 22-23 June, and Middle East airlines including Emirates, Etihad and Flydubai have temporarily suspended or rerouted flights to affected destinations across Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan and Syria until 30 June.
For more information, visit www.britishairways.com and www.singaporeair.com
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