Travel across the region has been affected throughout June as conflict between Israel, Iran and the US came to a head.
With daily – sometimes even hourly – changes to airline schedules, open airspace and airports, passengers have been meticulously tracking travel updates, adjusting plans and packing with the likelihood of delays in mind.
While many destinations have been affected – the UAE's airspace was closed on the night of June 23 – some key travel and transit cities have seen greater disruption since the onset of Israel's bombardment of Gaza and its neighbours.
For passengers travelling from the UAE to Beirut, Amman, Tehran and Tel Aviv, here is the latest on route suspensions and cancellations.
Beirut
With on-and-off conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, flights to Lebanon's capital have suffered regular disruptions.
Currently, Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport is open, and the following UAE carriers are operating flights to the capital: Etihad Airways, Emirates Airline, flydubai, Air Arabia and Wizz Air.
Elsewhere, German carrier Lufthansa and Romanian airline Tarom – which previously suspended flights – each state they will resume flights to Beirut from July 1.
Amman
Queen Alia International Airport in Jordan's capital is currently open and operating.
The following UAE carriers are flying to and from Amman: Etihad, Emirates, flydubai, Air Arabia and Wizz Air.
However, operations from European cities to Amman on Wizz Air continued to be suspended until September 15.
Other international flights to the city also remain on hold. Tarom will halt flights until July; British Airways has cancelled the route from London until July 11; Greek carrier Aegean Airlines has put a pause on flights to and from Amman until September 8; and Irish carrier Ryanair has cancelled flights until October 25.
Tehran
Exchanging crossfire with Israel and striking a US military base in Qatar, Iran has been massively affected by the ongoing conflict.
However, the country has now expanded access by reopening its central and western airspace to international transit flights.
The Emirates Airline website states: “Due to the regional situation, Emirates has cancelled all the flights to and from Tehran until and including July 5, 2025.”
The flydubai's website states “no fares available for the selected route at the moment”, for between Dubai and Tehran, with the first flight available to book outbound on July 11.
Air Arabia's first flight, from Sharjah to Tehran, leaves on August 1, with no flights listed from Abu Dhabi. An update on June 25 on the carrier's website reads: “As regional airspace continues to open, Air Arabia is gradually resuming operations on previously suspended flights. Customers are advised to visit airarabia.com to check the latest updates and their flight status. Affected passengers will be notified directly via SMS and email.”
Etihad and Wizz Air do not list Tehran as one of their destinations.
A statement on Qatar Airways, effective as of June 22, reads: “Flights to Iran remain temporarily suspended. Qatar Airways continues to monitor the situation and will provide further updates as they become available.”
Lufthansa has paused the route until and including July 31.
Tel Aviv
Numerous airlines have cancelled routes to Tel Aviv amid Israel's strikes on Gaza since October 2023, and more suspended routes as the nation exchanges crossfire with Iran in June.
Israeli airspace was temporarily closed on June 13, opening once again on June 24. However, several airlines in the UAE continue to pause their routes to the capital.
Etihad has cancelled services to and from Tel Aviv until and including July 15.
Wizz Air has suspended all flights to and from Israel's Ben Gurion Airport until further notice.
While Emirates is not operating flights directly, its website lists flights between Dubai and Tel Aviv as operational via sister airline flydubai. Air Arabia doesn't list Israel as one of its destinations.
International airlines have also cancelled rights to the Israeli capital. These include:
- Lufthansa until July 31
- Italy's ITA Airways until July 31
- Air Europa until July 31
- IAG-owned British Airways until July 31
- US carrier Delta Air Lines says flights may be impacted until August 31
- Aegean Airlines until September 8
- Air Canada until September 8
- Latvia's airBaltic until September 30
As the situation continues to change rapidly, it's best to check directly with airlines for flight status and travel advice.
RIDE%20ON
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Feeding the thousands for iftar
Six industrial scale vats of 500litres each are used to cook the kanji or broth
Each vat contains kanji or porridge to feed 1,000 people
The rice porridge is poured into a 500ml plastic box
350 plastic tubs are placed in one container trolley
Each aluminium container trolley weighing 300kg is unloaded by a small crane fitted on a truck
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
THE DETAILS
Solo: A Star Wars Story
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2/5
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Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Founders: Abdulmajeed Alsukhan, Turki Bin Zarah and Abdulmohsen Albabtain.
Based: Riyadh
Offices: UAE, Vietnam and Germany
Founded: September, 2020
Number of employees: 70
Sector: FinTech, online payment solutions
Funding to date: $116m in two funding rounds
Investors: Checkout.com, Impact46, Vision Ventures, Wealth Well, Seedra, Khwarizmi, Hala Ventures, Nama Ventures and family offices
About Tenderd
Started: May 2018
Founder: Arjun Mohan
Based: Dubai
Size: 23 employees
Funding: Raised $5.8m in a seed fund round in December 2018. Backers include Y Combinator, Beco Capital, Venturesouq, Paul Graham, Peter Thiel, Paul Buchheit, Justin Mateen, Matt Mickiewicz, SOMA, Dynamo and Global Founders Capital
Avengers: Endgame
Directors: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
Starring: Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Hemsworth, Josh Brolin
4/5 stars
MATCH INFO
Manchester City 3
Danilo (16'), Bernardo Silva (34'), Fernandinho (72')
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Ulloa (20')
Jewel of the Expo 2020
252 projectors installed on Al Wasl dome
13.6km of steel used in the structure that makes it equal in length to 16 Burj Khalifas
550 tonnes of moulded steel were raised last year to cap the dome
724,000 cubic metres is the space it encloses
Stands taller than the leaning tower of Pisa
Steel trellis dome is one of the largest single structures on site
The size of 16 tennis courts and weighs as much as 500 elephants
Al Wasl means connection in Arabic
World’s largest 360-degree projection surface
Traits of Chinese zodiac animals
Tiger:independent, successful, volatile
Rat:witty, creative, charming
Ox:diligent, perseverent, conservative
Rabbit:gracious, considerate, sensitive
Dragon:prosperous, brave, rash
Snake:calm, thoughtful, stubborn
Horse:faithful, energetic, carefree
Sheep:easy-going, peacemaker, curious
Monkey:family-orientated, clever, playful
Rooster:honest, confident, pompous
Dog:loyal, kind, perfectionist
Boar:loving, tolerant, indulgent
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
EXPATS
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Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
THE BIO
Ms Davison came to Dubai from Kerala after her marriage in 1996 when she was 21-years-old
Since 2001, Ms Davison has worked at many affordable schools such as Our Own English High School in Sharjah, and The Apple International School and Amled School in Dubai
Favourite Book: The Alchemist
Favourite quote: Failing to prepare is preparing to fail
Favourite place to Travel to: Vienna
Favourite cuisine: Italian food
Favourite Movie : Scent of a Woman
North Pole stats
Distance covered: 160km
Temperature: -40°C
Weight of equipment: 45kg
Altitude (metres above sea level): 0
Terrain: Ice rock
South Pole stats
Distance covered: 130km
Temperature: -50°C
Weight of equipment: 50kg
Altitude (metres above sea level): 3,300
Terrain: Flat ice
Profile of MoneyFellows
Founder: Ahmed Wadi
Launched: 2016
Employees: 76
Financing stage: Series A ($4 million)
Investors: Partech, Sawari Ventures, 500 Startups, Dubai Angel Investors, Phoenician Fund
Off-roading in the UAE: How to checklist
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
A State of Passion
Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi
Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah
Rating: 4/5
Why it pays to compare
A comparison of sending Dh20,000 from the UAE using two different routes at the same time - the first direct from a UAE bank to a bank in Germany, and the second from the same UAE bank via an online platform to Germany - found key differences in cost and speed. The transfers were both initiated on January 30.
Route 1: bank transfer
The UAE bank charged Dh152.25 for the Dh20,000 transfer. On top of that, their exchange rate margin added a difference of around Dh415, compared with the mid-market rate.
Total cost: Dh567.25 - around 2.9 per cent of the total amount
Total received: €4,670.30
Route 2: online platform
The UAE bank’s charge for sending Dh20,000 to a UK dirham-denominated account was Dh2.10. The exchange rate margin cost was Dh60, plus a Dh12 fee.
Total cost: Dh74.10, around 0.4 per cent of the transaction
Total received: €4,756
The UAE bank transfer was far quicker – around two to three working days, while the online platform took around four to five days, but was considerably cheaper. In the online platform transfer, the funds were also exposed to currency risk during the period it took for them to arrive.
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
The biog
Name: Dhabia Khalifa AlQubaisi
Age: 23
How she spends spare time: Playing with cats at the clinic and feeding them
Inspiration: My father. He’s a hard working man who has been through a lot to provide us with everything we need
Favourite book: Attitude, emotions and the psychology of cats by Dr Nicholes Dodman
Favourit film: 101 Dalmatians - it remind me of my childhood and began my love of dogs
Word of advice: By being patient, good things will come and by staying positive you’ll have the will to continue to love what you're doing
General%20Classification
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THE APPRENTICE
Director: Ali Abbasi
Starring: Sebastian Stan, Maria Bakalova, Jeremy Strong
Rating: 3/5
Signs%20of%20%20%20%20%20%20%20heat%20stroke
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
