This is a rapidly evolving situation linked to ongoing military activity in the Middle East. This article will be updated as new information becomes available.
Airlines operating between South Africa and key Middle East hubs have confirmed that flight suspensions remain in place due to airspace closures across the region.
Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways and SAA have issued updated advisories outlining ongoing schedule disruptions, currently expected to last until the evening of March 4 and the afternoon of March 5, depending on the carrier.
All airlines have also revised their rebooking and refund policies for affected passengers.
Emirates
In an update published on March 3, Emirates confirmed that all scheduled flights to and from Dubai remain suspended until 23h59 UAE time on March 4.
A limited number of passenger repatriation and freighter flights will operate on March 4.
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 within the same cabin. Refunds are permitted on unused flight coupons and cancellation fees are waived.
For more details, please see Travelinfo.
Qatar Airways
In a March 3 notice, Qatar Airways confirmed that its flight operations remain suspended due to the closure of Qatari airspace.
The airline said services will resume once the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority announces the safe reopening of airspace.
Tickets issued for travel between February 28 and March 10 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 next update is expected on March 4 by 09h00 Doha time.
For more details, see Travelinfo.
Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways has suspended all scheduled commercial flights to and from Abu Dhabi until 14h00 UAE time on March 5.
Repositioning, cargo and repatriation flights may operate in coordination with UAE authorities, subject to strict operational and safety approvals.
Etihad Airways has issued a commercial waiver for guests holding EY tickets issued on or before February 28, with original travel dates up to March 10. The waiver applies across the airline’s entire network.
For cancelled flights, the standard schedule change policy applies with rebooking permitted on or before March 31.
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 10, subject to original routing. Change fees, no-show fees and service charges are waived, provided tickets are reissued on or before March 10. Refunds for non-cancelled flights remain subject to fare rules.
SAA
While SAA previously indicated that its Emirates-operated codeshare flights to and from Dubai were suspended until 15h00 UAE time on March 3, Emirates has since confirmed it will not resume its Dubai flights until 23h59 UAE time on March 4.
Customers booked on SAA codeshare Emirates-operated flights can be rebooked within the same cabin class, for travel on or before March 20.
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, SA7158, SA7162, SA7159, SA7161, SA7163, SA7152
- DUR–DXB: SA7164, SA7165
For more information on SAA's flight consolidation and re-accommodation policy, please see Travelinfo.
DIRCO issues travel advisory
The South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has issued an urgent advisory for South Africans in Israel, urging them to prioritise their safety amid heightened tensions in the region.
Israeli airspace and Ben Gurion International Airport remain closed, with all flights cancelled until further notice.
DIRCO has advised South African wishing to leave to arrange departure while limited travel options remain available. It noted that multiple land borders with Jordan and one additional land border remain open. However, it advises that travellers check the official status of the relevant border crossing on their day of departure.
“DIRCO remains on standby to support, guide and assist in any way possible,” said the statement.
For more information on emergency and consular services, please see DIRCO’s website.
