This is a rapidly evolving situation linked to ongoing military activity in the Middle East. This article will be updated as more information becomes available.
Flights between South Africa and key Middle East hubs remain grounded after weekend airspace closures across the region, triggering widespread disruption and contingency measures by airlines and airports.
Several airlines, including Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways and SAA, have issued advisories outlining rebooking and refund options for affected passengers. Meanwhile, Acsa has advised travellers flying from South Africa to the Middle East and the UAE to confirm their flight status with their airline before heading to the airport.
Emirates
Emirates has temporarily suspended all operations to and from Dubai until 15h00 (UAE time) today (March 2).
Under the airline’s Disruption Handling Policy, passengers travelling up to March 5 may rebook or reroute free of charge for travel up to March 20 within the same region, in any RBD (Reservation Booking Designator) in the same cabin. Refunds are permitted on unused flight coupons and cancellation fees are waived.
For more detail, see Travelinfo.
Qatar Airways
Flight operations to and from Doha remain temporarily suspended due to the closure of Qatari airspace.
In an advisory issued on February 28, the airline said affected passengers would be re-accommodated under its involuntary rebooking policy. Tickets issued by February 28 for travel between February 28 and March 6 may be changed by up to 14 days from the original travel date. Passengers also have the option to refund or change their flights within the permitted window.
The airline said a further operational update would be provided by 09h00 (Doha time) tomorrow (March 3).
For more details, see Travelinfo.
Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways has issued a commercial waiver for guests impacted by the Middle East situation, applicable to all EY tickets issued on or before February 28.
The waiver applies to flights across Etihad’s entire network with original travel dates up to Monday, March 2. For non-cancelled flights, passengers may rebook free of charge on the lowest available booking class in the same cabin, with travel permitted up to March 15, subject to original routing. Change fees, no-show fees and service charges are waived, provided tickets are reissued on or before March 2.
For cancelled flights, standard schedule change policies apply while refunds for non-cancelled flights remain subject to fare rules.
SAA
All commercial flights to and from Dubai operated under the Emirates codeshare remain temporarily suspended until 15h00 (UAE time) today (March 2).
Passengers booked on SAA codeshare flights operated by Emirates with travel on or before March 5 may be rebooked on the next available SAA codeshare flight operated by Emirates or choose an alternative travel date within the same cabin class up to 20 days from the original departure date.
Customers who no longer wish to travel may cancel and apply for the full value of the ticket to be credited to the Voyager Credit Wallet, valid for three years or request a full refund to the original form of payment for tickets issued on SAA (083) stock only.
The affected SAA codeshare flights operated by Emirates are:
CPT–DXB: SA7154, SA7156, SA7155, SA7157 JNB–DXB: SA7153, SA7160, SA7159, SA7161, SA7163, SA7152 DUR–DXB: SA7164, SA7165
For more information on SAA's flight consolidation and re-accommodation policy, please check Travelinfo.
Dubai Airport
Late on Saturday (February 28), Dubai Airports confirmed that a concourse at Dubai International Airport (DXB) sustained “minor damage in an incident”, which it said was quickly contained.
“Emergency response teams were immediately deployed and are managing the situation in coordination with the relevant authorities. Four staff sustained injuries and received prompt medical attention. Due to contingency plans already in place, most of the terminals were previously cleared of passengers,” Dubai Airports said.
The Dubai Media Office also confirmed a “minor fire” on the outer façade of the Burj Al Arab on February 28, attributing it to drone debris.
Acsa has advised that South Africans stranded in affected areas should contact the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) or the nearest South African mission:
Telephone: +27 12 351 1000 Email: CICC@dirco.gov.za
DIRCO has provided a list of contact information for South African embassies throughout the Middle East here.
