British Airways Issues 'Fully Booked' Warning as Middle East Travel Chaos Escalates
British Airways has issued a stark warning that all its services departing from Oman through to March 7 are now completely full, as the scramble to return from the Middle East intensifies amid growing regional tensions.
Flight Availability Dwindles Amid Regional Unrest
In its most recent public statement, the UK's flag carrier confirmed that flights from Muscat on March 5, 6, and 7 are now fully booked. "We will continue to review the situation and, if we are able to, we will add additional services," a BA spokesperson stated at 2.14pm on Wednesday.
Oman represents the nearest nation to major hubs like Dubai and Abu Dhabi with accessible airspace. Of the 136 flights scheduled to depart from Oman today, only 14 have been cancelled so far. This stands in stark contrast to the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, and Lebanon, where most flights remain grounded.
Government Rescue Efforts Face Delays
Home Office minister Alex Norris has announced that a Government-chartered plane, which failed to depart from Muscat as planned, is now scheduled to leave for the UK on Thursday. However, he was unable to provide an exact departure time.
Mr Norris expressed confidence that the first Government rescue flight departing Oman amidst the escalating conflict would take off on Thursday, following an overnight delay. When questioned about the reason for the delay, he explained: "It didn't take off because there are operational reasons... about getting passengers on board, and it wasn't able to happen in the time that it had to happen. So that's now going to go today instead."
Earlier, Mr Norris told BBC Breakfast: "We made sure we got them (the passengers) hotel rooms for the night as well, and we are facilitating and rebooking today's flight. We hope that they do, and there's multiple flights after it as well."
BA's Current Operational Status
The latest guidance from British Airways reads: "We remain unable to operate flights from Abu Dhabi, Amman, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai and Tel Aviv. We have scheduled further flights from Oman (Muscat) to London Heathrow departing on 6 and 7 March.
"Flights are for our customers with an existing booking who are in Oman or the UAE. If you wish to travel on one of these flights, please contact us via our dedicated phone line on +44 203 467 3854. Our teams will also be getting in touch with our customers."
One BA flight bound for London Heathrow left Muscat after just a short delay this morning. Another is scheduled to leave at 2.30am local time tomorrow, and a third at the same time on Saturday.
Regional Tensions Continue to Escalate
In other developments, Defence Secretary John Healey is en route to Cyprus in an attempt to defuse tensions with the island's government following a drone strike on the British base RAF Akrotiri.
Mr Healey is expected to land in Cyprus later on Thursday. His visit follows the Cypriot high commissioner to Britain expressing disappointment at the UK Government's response to defending the island.
On Monday night, a hangar at RAF Akrotiri was struck by an Iranian-made Shahed drone launched from Beirut in Lebanon, according to Cypriot officials. Two further drones detected on Monday were shot down by British warplanes that took off from Akrotiri.
The UK has deployed air defence destroyer HMS Dragon to aid in the protection of Cyprus, although the Type 45 warship isn't expected to set sail until next week. Wildcat helicopters equipped with anti-drone capabilities have also been sent to the island and are anticipated to arrive this week.
Broader Regional Developments
In other significant developments in the conflict:
- Iran's ambassador Seyed Ali Mousavi was summoned by the UK Government on Wednesday.
- A US submarine sank an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean.
- Iran persisted in launching attacks at countries across the region, with Saudi Arabia and Kuwait targeted with missiles and drones.
- Western officials reported that the rate of Iranian missile strikes had declined, estimating that Tehran had several more days of capability to continue based on the current firing rate – although they warned that the decrease could also be a result of Iran trying to conserve its stockpiles.
- Turkey reported that a "ballistic munition" launched towards it from Iran was intercepted by Nato air defences.
- Economic uncertainty continued over the conflict in a region that plays a crucial role in international oil and gas supplies.
