Air Canada has announced the cancellation of flights to Israel and Dubai due to the escalating military tensions in the Middle East. The airline's operations have been disrupted, with flights from Canada to Israel suspended until March 8, while flights to Dubai are halted through March 3.
In a statement, Air Canada mentioned, “We are monitoring the situation and will adjust our schedule accordingly,” advising passengers to check their official website for the latest updates.
The situation escalated recently as Airstrikes by the United States and Israel on Iran triggered a wave of flight disruptions across the region. Countries including Israel, Qatar, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, and Bahrain have closed their airspace, leading to significant operational halts for three major airports that serve as crucial links between Europe, Africa, and Asia.
Consequently, hundreds of thousands of travelers found themselves stranded or rerouted to alternative airports. Additionally, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has declared a temporary and partial closure of its airspace, as indicated by the flight tracking website FlightRadar24. This has led to a complete cessation of flight activity over the UAE.
Dubai International Airport, recognized as the largest in the UAE and one of the busiest globally, reported that four individuals sustained injuries amidst the chaos. The Emirates government criticized what it labeled a "blatant attack involving Iranian ballistic missiles," highlighting the severity of the regional military activities.
Further reports indicated that attacks were also recorded at other commercial airports in the region, such as Kuwait International Airport, exacerbating the transportation crisis faced by travelers in the area.
In light of these developments, the Canadian federal government has issued a warning advising Canadians against traveling to the Middle East. The advisory specifically mentions countries such as Iran, Israel, Lebanon, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen, as well as cautioning against non-essential trips to Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Oman.
Files from The Associated Press were used in this report.
