Jordan, Syria and Lebanon reopen airspace amid escalating strikes between Israel and Iran

Jordan, Lebanon and Syria reopened their airspace on Saturday after it was closed following missile attacks by Israel on Iran’s nuclear sites on Friday.

The announcements came despite Iran and Israel continuing to launch tit-for-tat strikes on Saturday.

Jordanian airspace reopened at 7.30am, while Lebanon said its airspace is open for flights, according to the state news agency.

LatestUS nuclear talks 'unjustifiable' after Israeli attack, says Iran's Araghchi

Middle East Airlines also announced the resumption of all outbound and inbound flights from Beirut, NNA reported.

Syria also said on Saturday that it has reopened its airspace after “the circumstances necessitated the temporary closure of some air corridors during the past period”, according to Sana news agency. Syrian Airlines was resuming flights.

Other countries in the region, including Iran and Iraq, had also shut their airspace. The restrictions led to widespread travel disruption after airlines cancelled and delayed flights.

Iran originally announced its airspace would be closed until 2pm on Saturday, while the Iraqi Ministry of Transport announced on Friday that the “complete suspension of air traffic at all Iraqi airports and the closure of Iraqi airspace” would continue until further notice.

On Friday, Israel launched a wave of strikes across Iran, killing senior military officials and hitting key nuclear sites.

Iran launched retaliatory missile strikes on Israel, raising fears of a wider Middle East war.

The empty arrivals hall at Rafik Hariri International Airport in Beirut. EPA

Later on Saturday, Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz said that “Tehran will burn” if Iran did not stop firing missiles at his country.

Etihad suspends flights to Tel Aviv and Amman

Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport was closed, with the UAE’s Etihad Airways announcing cancellation of services to and from Tel Aviv.

“Etihad continues to experience disruption to several services due to airspace closures and the ongoing regional situation,” Etihad's duty media officer told The National in a statement on Saturday.

As a result, all flights between Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv on June 14, June 15 and June 16 have been cancelled. Flights between Abu Dhabi and Amman, and Abu Dhabi and Beirut will resume on June 15 with a revised flight schedule for guests with existing bookings.

“Additionally, Etihad continues to re-route several flights in response to restricted airspace in parts of the Middle East,” the statement said.

Travellers transiting through Abu Dhabi to connect to flights that have been cancelled will not be accepted for travel from their point of origin. Affected guests are being assisted with alternative travel arrangements, the statement said.

“This remains a developing situation which is likely to cause some disruption and delays over the coming days,” the Abu Dhabi airline said.

Emirates cancelled flights to and from Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Iran.

Other major airlines, including Lufthansa and Air India, rerouted services mid-flight on Friday.

THE BIO

Age: 33

Favourite quote: “If you’re going through hell, keep going” Winston Churchill

Favourite breed of dog: All of them. I can’t possibly pick a favourite.

Favourite place in the UAE: The Stray Dogs Centre in Umm Al Quwain. It sounds predictable, but it honestly is my favourite place to spend time. Surrounded by hundreds of dogs that love you - what could possibly be better than that?

Favourite colour: All the colours that dogs come in

Key facilities

Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
Premier League-standard football pitch
400m Olympic running track
NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
600-seat auditorium
Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
Specialist robotics and science laboratories
AR and VR-enabled learning centres
Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills

Opening day UAE Premiership fixtures, Friday, September 22:

Dubai Sports City Eagles v Dubai Exiles
Dubai Hurricanes v Abu Dhabi Saracens
Jebel Ali Dragons v Abu Dhabi Harlequins

RESULT

Manchester City 1 Sheffield United 0
Man City: Jesus (9')

Tax authority targets shisha levy evasion

The Federal Tax Authority will track shisha imports with electronic markers to protect customers and ensure levies have been paid.

Khalid Ali Al Bustani, director of the tax authority, on Sunday said the move is to "prevent tax evasion and support the authority’s tax collection efforts".

The scheme’s first phase, which came into effect on 1st January, 2019, covers all types of imported and domestically produced and distributed cigarettes. As of May 1, importing any type of cigarettes without the digital marks will be prohibited.

He said the latest phase will see imported and locally produced shisha tobacco tracked by the final quarter of this year.

"The FTA also maintains ongoing communication with concerned companies, to help them adapt their systems to meet our requirements and coordinate between all parties involved," he said.

As with cigarettes, shisha was hit with a 100 per cent tax in October 2017, though manufacturers and cafes absorbed some of the costs to prevent prices doubling.