UAE Issues Travel Advisory Amidst Escalating Middle East Tensions
Ministry of Foreign Affairs urges Emiratis and residents to remain vigilant and coordinates support for nationals abroad.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has issued a travel advisory for its citizens, residents, and visitors in response to the escalating tensions in the Middle East.
The advisory was communicated through a social media post, urging individuals to contact airlines directly for the latest updates regarding flight schedules.
Emiratis currently situated in countries including Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Iran, and Israel have been encouraged to register with Twajudi, a government service aimed at assisting nationals located abroad and facilitating repatriation during emergencies or crises.
The regional situation has intensified significantly as of Friday, when Israel initiated a series of military strikes against Iran.
These strikes resulted in the deaths of senior military officials and targeted nuclear facilities.
In retaliation, Iran launched missile attacks on Israel into the following Saturday morning.
As the situation escalated, Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv was closed, leading to significant disruptions in air travel.
Etihad Airways, based in Abu Dhabi, announced the cancellation of flights to and from Tel Aviv, citing disruptions to several services across the region due to ongoing airspace closures and the continuing regional situation.
An official statement from Etihad's media officer indicated that travelers transiting through Abu Dhabi to connect to the now-cancelled flights would also not be accepted for travel from their original departure points.
Emirates, another key airline operating in the region and based in Dubai, similarly canceled flights to and from Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Iran.
Additionally, several major global airlines, including Lufthansa and Air India, were compelled to divert aircraft mid-flight on Friday due to the rapidly evolving circumstances in the region.
The advisory from the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs reflects the ongoing complexities in Middle Eastern geopolitics and the immediate impacts on civilian travel as tensions continue to rise.
The advisory was communicated through a social media post, urging individuals to contact airlines directly for the latest updates regarding flight schedules.
Emiratis currently situated in countries including Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Iran, and Israel have been encouraged to register with Twajudi, a government service aimed at assisting nationals located abroad and facilitating repatriation during emergencies or crises.
The regional situation has intensified significantly as of Friday, when Israel initiated a series of military strikes against Iran.
These strikes resulted in the deaths of senior military officials and targeted nuclear facilities.
In retaliation, Iran launched missile attacks on Israel into the following Saturday morning.
As the situation escalated, Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv was closed, leading to significant disruptions in air travel.
Etihad Airways, based in Abu Dhabi, announced the cancellation of flights to and from Tel Aviv, citing disruptions to several services across the region due to ongoing airspace closures and the continuing regional situation.
An official statement from Etihad's media officer indicated that travelers transiting through Abu Dhabi to connect to the now-cancelled flights would also not be accepted for travel from their original departure points.
Emirates, another key airline operating in the region and based in Dubai, similarly canceled flights to and from Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Iran.
Additionally, several major global airlines, including Lufthansa and Air India, were compelled to divert aircraft mid-flight on Friday due to the rapidly evolving circumstances in the region.
The advisory from the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs reflects the ongoing complexities in Middle Eastern geopolitics and the immediate impacts on civilian travel as tensions continue to rise.