The United Arab Emirates reopened its airspace on Tuesday after a brief closure as the conflict with the United States and Israel enters its third week and Iran continues to launch missile and drone attacks.
The UAE Ministry of Defense announced on Monday that its air defense forces have so far intercepted more than 300 ballistic missiles and more than 1,600 unmanned aerial vehicles.
The General Civil Aviation Authority said the decision was made after a comprehensive assessment of the operational and security situation and in coordination with relevant authorities. It added that real-time monitoring of the situation continues to be carried out to ensure the highest level of aviation safety.
The temporary but complete airspace closure lasted nearly two hours and the regulator said it was an “exceptional precautionary measure aimed at ensuring the safety of aircraft and air crews and protecting the UAE territory amidst rapid regional security developments.”
The move follows disruptions at Dubai International Airport, which resumed a limited flight schedule on Monday after a drone attack hit a fuel depot and caused a fire. Officials said no injuries were reported in the strike, which was the fourth drone-related incident at the airport.
The disruption comes amid widespread flight cancellations and rerouting across the Middle East as airlines reassess their operations in the region’s increasingly volatile airspace.
British Airways announced on Monday that it had extended temporary reductions in its Middle East flight schedule due to continued uncertainty, impacting flights from Abu Dhabi, Amman, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai and Tel Aviv.
The airline said it is constantly reviewing the situation and is in direct contact with affected customers to offer travel options.
The IAG-owned airline operated eight relief flights from Muscat, Oman, and added flights to and from Singapore and Bangkok to assist travelers affected by the situation.
—CNBC’s Emma Graham contributed to this report.
