DUBAI: Emirates, Dubai’s flagship airline, has announced an extension of its flight cancellations to Baghdad, Iraq, and Beirut, Lebanon, until January 31, 2025, due to ongoing security concerns in the region. The airline clarified that passengers transiting through Dubai with a final destination in Baghdad will not be allowed to board flights at their point of origin, effective immediately. However, flights operated by flydubai to Baghdad continue to run, with customers holding confirmed bookings on flydubai being allowed to travel. Emirates advised passengers to check the status of flydubai’s flights regularly for updates.
Similarly, Emirates flights to and from Beirut will remain suspended until January 31, 2025. Passengers traveling via Dubai to Beirut will also not be accepted for travel at their point of origin. In response to the flight cancellations, Emirates has urged affected customers to contact their booking agents for alternative travel arrangements or reach out to the airline directly if they booked through Emirates. The suspension comes in light of the escalating tensions in the region due to the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict.
Meanwhile, other regional airlines are resuming services. Air Arabia Abu Dhabi will restart its flights to Beirut on January 9, with four direct weekly flights between Zayed International Airport and Rafic Hariri International Airport. Qatar Airways, which had previously suspended services to Lebanon, Iraq, and Iran, resumed operations on December 9, with 14 weekly flights to Doha’s Hamad International Airport. This marks a cautious return of regional air travel despite the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Despite the disruptions, Gulf airlines have maintained strong profitability. According to the latest report from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Middle Eastern airlines are projected to close 2024 with a $5.3 billion net profit, an increase from the previous forecast of $3.8 billion. This positive performance is attributed to the growing demand for premium long-haul travel, making the region the only one to experience an increase in passenger yields for the year. Despite the geopolitical unrest, Gulf carriers continue to perform strongly in the global aviation market.
