A flydubai flight traveling from Malé to Dubai has just landed back at Velana International Airport after Middle Eastern countries closed their airspace.
The flydubai flight FZ1026, which departed Malé for Dubai this afternoon, returned to Velana Airport after being in the air for approximately one hour and 45 minutes.
The aircraft, which departed from Velana Airport, headed back to the Maldives following the closure of UAE airspace.
Due to ongoing military confrontations in the Middle East, the airspace of Iran, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain has been temporarily closed. Reports indicate that explosions have been heard in Tehran, Iran, while Israel has confirmed that it is conducting a military operation targeting Iran.
Citing security concerns, Qatar Civil Aviation has also temporarily suspended all of its flights.
These sudden changes have caused major disruptions to air travel across the entire region. As the main routes connecting the Middle East and the West have closed, many aircraft mid-flight have had to divert to other airports, while some have been forced to return to their original departure airports.
Major airlines such as Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, and Kuwait Airways are making changes to their flight schedules due to this situation. This has resulted in longer travel times and significant operational challenges.
Following the commencement of joint attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran, Iran has now begun launching retaliatory strikes. In connection with these attacks, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and the UAE, among other countries, have entered a state of emergency. Qatar has intercepted a strike, while a military base in Bahrain was targeted.
An explosion was also heard in Dubai, and reports mentioned that a powerful explosion was heard in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as well.
