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Thousands of people have died in the unfolding humanitarian crisis in the Middle East. Conflicts involving Israel, Gaza, Lebanon and Iran threaten to engulf the region. Iran’s missile attacks on Israel have already caused widespread disruption to flights, causing concern for tourists planning to visit destinations in the Gulf region.
These are the main warnings issued by the UK Foreign Office to the Gulf region, as well as separate advice from the US Department of State and the Government of Canada for Qatar, Oman and the UAE (including Dubai).
The Independent also assessed current flight plans to and from major airports and sampled typical routes for overnight flights from the UK arriving in the Gulf region on Friday, October 4. Major flights fly south of the conflict zone, typically adding 30 minutes to travel time in either direction and an hour round trip, and jeopardizing connections at hub airports.
Regional advice from the UK Foreign Office: “The ongoing hostilities between Israel and Lebanon are likely to rapidly escalate and pose a risk to the wider region.
“The possibility of terrorist attacks cannot be ruled out. Indiscriminate attacks may occur, including in places visited by foreigners.
“Terrorists are threatening to carry out attacks in the Gulf region, including on residential areas; military, oil, transport and aviation interests; and public places such as restaurants, hotels, beaches, shopping centers and places of worship.
“Military operations are currently underway in response to attempts by the Houthi militants to disrupt international shipping in the Red Sea. The scope of operations is limited to the Red Sea and Yemen, but there are Travel advisories may change at short notice.
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Government of Canada advises: “Conflicts in the Middle East and the Gulf region may impact Qatar. Tensions in the region may escalate at any time, resulting in an unpredictable and unstable security situation.” There is a gender.
“The threat of terrorism remains constant across the Arabian Peninsula. Reports of planned terrorist attacks surface from time to time. Terrorists are likely to attempt an attack in Qatar.”
U.S. Department of State Advice: “We recommend that you check the status of your destination before traveling in light of recent events in the region. Please contact your airline to confirm that your flight has been canceled or rescheduled. You can also check to see if it has been or isn’t.
Flight: Qatar Airways flight QR24 from Manchester to Doha headed southeast to Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula before heading due east to the Qatari capital. The flight time was 7 hours, about 40 minutes longer than usual.
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Canadian Government Advice: “Use an abundance of caution as violent demonstrations and terrorist threats are possible in Oman.”
U.S. State Department advisory: “Due to terrorism and armed conflict, please exercise increased vigilance. Due to terrorism and armed conflict, do not travel to Yemen border areas.”
Flight: Earlier this week, Oman Air flight WY102 from London Heathrow Airport to Muscat flew a high-speed course across Turkey and Iran, completing the journey in just over six hours. But now it’s a much slower journey. Fly west of Cairo, cross Hurghada and the Red Sea, then follow the now familiar eastward route across central Saudi Arabia to the capital of Oman.
united arab emirates
Canadian government advice: “Terrorist groups have indicated their intention to target the United Arab Emirates. Enhanced security measures are in place and Emirati authorities may strengthen them at short notice.”
U.S. State Department advisory: “Please exercise increased vigilance in the United Arab Emirates due to threats from missile and drone attacks and terrorism.”
Flight: Emirates flight EK28 from Glasgow to Dubai will fly over the southern tip of Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula if you choose the most direct course. Because the area is off-limits, the normal route would take around 6 hours and 40 minutes, passing through London or Amsterdam, Germany, Austria, the Balkans, northern Turkey, and western Iran. But the flight, which arrived on Oct. 4, flew southeast toward Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, then turned east just south of Eilat, Israel, and Aqaba, Jordan. It passed through parts of southern Jordan and then northern Saudi Arabia, taking more than 30 minutes.