In the latest development from the Middle East conflict that shut down regional airspaces since February 28, a commercial flight from Dubai to Sydney has become the first to Australia. The UAE government announced 60 flights would use dedicated emergency air corridors. Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong confirmed the flight would only proceed if safe, with thousands of Australians still stranded.
This follows widespread cancellations reported earlier, with airspaces in Israel, Syria, Qatar, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, UAE, and Jordan affected. Flight radar data shows commercial flights continuing to avoid the area.
Smarttraveller warns of potential disruptions if the conflict escalates. Australians should not cancel flights without checking with airlines; those traveling soon should confirm status. No government repatriation flights are planned, but six crisis teams are deploying for consular support, alongside an existing team. Wong stressed commercial flights as the primary evacuation option when safe.
Airlines conduct individual safety assessments, consulting security providers and embassies. RMIT aviation expert Justin Brownjohn noted carriers like Qantas coordinate with DFAT. Local airlines including Emirates, Qatar, and Etihad have resumed limited flights after deeming risks manageable.
Past incidents highlight risks, such as the 2020 downing of Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752 by Iran and the 2014 Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 over Ukraine. Repositioning crew and aircraft could delay full operations by a week.
UAE emergency corridors aim to scale up if conditions allow. Alternatives include Qantas reroutes via Singapore and Oman Airways from Muscat. Some passengers use land borders. Virgin Atlantic plans limited services to Dubai and Riyadh. Australians should register with DFAT's 24/7 Crisis Centre.