UAE Suspends Iranian Flights, Prompting Airspace Retaliation
Iran has barred UAE-registered aircraft, while flydubai restores longer routes to Russia.
The United Arab Emirates has stopped Iranian civilian airlines from operating flights to and from the country. The measure began Thursday, September 24, and will remain in place until further notice. It follows new U.S. secondary sanctions that threaten penalties for airports and other businesses serving Iranian carriers, including limits on access to the dollar-based financial system.
Iran responded by closing its airspace to aircraft registered in the UAE. That includes planes operated by Emirates, Etihad Airways and flydubai. The move could lengthen some journeys, but its effect is limited because Emirates and Etihad had already been avoiding Iranian airspace on flights to destinations such as Baku, Moscow and St. Petersburg since late February.
Flydubai is the main exception. The Dubai-based low-cost airline had recently returned to Iranian airspace on Russia services to reduce flying time. Those flights must now take the longer route around Iran again. For travelers, the changes mainly affect connections involving Iranian airlines and certain flydubai flights to Russia, while the wider UAE aviation network had already adjusted to the airspace restrictions.
- The suspension covers all Iranian civilian aircraft serving the UAE.
- Iran’s ban applies to Emirates, Etihad and flydubai aircraft.
- Flydubai had recently resumed Iranian overflights on Russia routes.
- Emirates and Etihad had already been routing around Iran since late February.
Summarized from the reporting above. Read it for the full story.
Winter weeks, altitude, and a fire at the end of the day. Tell us what the trip should feel like and we'll shape complete options you can compare.
Ask 4Vacations →
Share this story