Middle East airlines cancel more Vietnam flights amid airspace closures

The Middle Eastern region has seen escalating military exchanges between the United States, Israel, and Iran in recent days.

Qatar Airways canceled flight QR983 from Hanoi to Doha on Monday, affecting 271 passengers, and also scrapped cargo services on the Doha–Hanoi–Doha route, the authority said.

Emirates canceled flight EK395 from Hanoi to Dubai scheduled shortly after midnight on Monday.

Etihad Airways canceled flight EY433 from Hanoi to Abu Dhabi scheduled for Tuesday, while Turkish Airlines continued operating passenger and cargo flights between Hanoi and Istanbul as planned, the CAAV said.

On Tuesday, Qatar Airways again canceled flight QR983 from Hanoi to Doha, while the status of several other Middle Eastern carrier services had yet to be confirmed.

The aviation regulator said large parts of Middle Eastern airspace remained closed or heavily restricted, affecting regional and global air transport, and instructed airlines to closely monitor developments and adjust flight plans accordingly.

Vietnamese carriers said routes to Europe were being adjusted to avoid affected areas, with flights rerouted through alternative corridors.

Vietnam Airlines said its Europe-bound services were operating on revised routes that avoid conflict zones and remain safe.

Rerouting could lengthen flight times and affect schedules, the airline said.