Amid escalating tensions in Iran, flights to Doha and Dubai have been grounded at Sydney Airport, causing widespread disruption in global aviation.
Among the initial flights affected was a Virgin Australia service to Doha, which had to turn back as airlines hurriedly adjusted routes to avoid a rapidly expanding no-fly zone over the Middle East.
As a result of Iranian missile strikes targeting Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Doha—vital hubs for east-west air travel—Australian airports are now experiencing a wave of sudden cancellations and route changes.
These attacks have already resulted in injuries, with four individuals hurt when a missile struck a concourse at Dubai International Airport on Sunday morning.
Since Saturday, Sydney Airport has seen the cancellation of three incoming flights and nine departures due to the volatile situation.
A Sydney Airport representative informed the Daily Mail that the airport is closely monitoring developments affecting Middle Eastern airspace.
‘Passengers travelling on services to or from the Middle East are encouraged to check with their airline for the latest information regarding the status of their flight.’
A Virgin Australia spokesperson said four of its flights operated by Qatar Airways returned to Australia on Saturday evening.
A Virgin Australia spokesperson said numerous flights operated by Qatar Airways returned to Australia on Saturday evening after strike action in the Middle East
A check-in desk shows information on a cancelled flightas thousands of passengers remain stranded following the air strikes in Iran
Perth resident Juvy Bee is due to fly to his former home town of Dubai in just over a week, he said his friends were reporting there was panic buying following the air strikes
‘Due to the evolving situation in the Middle East, a number of Virgin Australia services operated by Qatar Airways have been cancelled,’ the spokesperson said.
‘Guests scheduled to travel on Virgin Australia services between Australia and Doha in the coming days are advised to closely monitor their flight information and visit the Smartraveller website for the latest travel advice.’
Emirates has temporarily suspended all operations to and from Dubai until at least 10pm AEDT.
Qatar Airways Group confirmed the temporary suspension of its flights to, and from, Doha due to the closure of Qatari airspace.
Australians have been told not to travel to Middle East countries including Israel, Lebanon, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, as Iran retaliates against US-Israel strikes that killed its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The aviation fallout is expected to last for weeks, leaving countless travellers stranded overseas.
Flight maps showed airspace over Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Israel and Bahrain virtually empty after the strikes began.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong has indicated that airspace closures caused by Iranian retaliatory strikes are likely to limit the federal government’s ability to organise repatriation flights for Australians stranded in the Middle East.
Massive explosions and air raid sirens have erupted over Tel Aviv as Iran launches surgical missile strike in retaliation to a joint Israeli-US strike on Iranian territory early Saturday morning
One passenger posted to X what he dubbed possibly the longest flight ever from Sydney to Melbourne after the flightto Doha was forced to turn back amid escalating tensions
‘The government’s very aware this is extremely distressing and concerning for the region, and particularly Australians in the region,’ she told reporters in Adelaide on Sunday.
‘Our focus is on the security and safety of Australians in the region. What I would also say is we do anticipate there being this being a difficult, difficult days ahead.
‘Whatever information we have and that we are able to confirm, we will provide to Australians in the region as quickly as we can.’
Eric Schouten, head of aviation security advisory Dyami, told Reuters passengers and airlines should expect the airspace to remain closed for an extended period.
Perth resident Juvy Blanco, who lived in Dubai for more than a decade, said he was concerned about travelling to his former hometown next week amid escalating tensions in the Middle East and the potential for flight disruptions.
‘My friends in Dubai are feeling very anxious and uncertain. Some people are panic buying because they’re worried about how things might develop,’ he said.
‘At the moment I’m monitoring updates from my airline and official announcements before making any decisions.’
