Vietnam-Middle East flights disrupted again as US-Iran conflict rattles regional airspace
Several flights from Vietnam to Doha and Dubai have been canceled or rescheduled as escalating Middle East tensions, triggered by U.S.-led strikes on Iran on February 28, continue to disrupt regional airspace, affecting thousands of passengers amid tighter flight restrictions.
Flight cancelations continue
The conflict, now entering its third week with the participation of Israel in attacking Iran, has seen missile and drone exchanges across multiple countries in the Middle East, prompting widespread airspace closures and continued disruption to international flight operations.
According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, the ongoing Middle East conflict continues to disrupt international flight schedules, leading to cancelations or adjustments of several flights from Vietnam to Doha, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi.
Qatar Airways canceled six passenger flights on the Ho Chi Minh City-Doha and Hanoi-Doha routes on March 17, affecting nearly 1,400 passengers.
Emirates is expected to continue canceling flight pair EK364/EK365 on the Dubai-Ho Chi Minh City route and the return leg through March 25.
Meanwhile, Etihad Airways still plans to operate flight pair EY431/EY433 on the Hanoi-Abu Dhabi route, carrying nearly 500 passengers, while cargo flights go as planned.
Turkish Airlines continues to operate passenger flights normally, although its cargo flights have had to adjust routes when flying through Middle Eastern airspace.
The CAAV said the main reason is that regional airspace remains heavily restricted.
According to a notice, the Doha Flight Information Region (FIR) was completely closed from 2:00 pm UTC on March 15 to 2:59 am UTC on March 16, except for state, medical and search-and-rescue flights approved in advance.
Passengers anxiously wait for flight updates
The latest incidents in Dubai have heightened concerns among passengers.
Reuters reported that on Monday, a drone attack caused a fire near Dubai International Airport, forcing a temporary suspension of airport operations before flights gradually resumed later in the day under a limited schedule.
Emirates later said it would operate only a reduced flight schedule after 10:00 am local time. The incident underscores mounting pressure on one of the region’s largest aviation hubs as the conflict drags on.
Many passengers traveling from Vietnam or transiting through the Middle East have been left waiting with little certainty.
Khang, a Vietnamese resident now living in Canada, said his family returned to Ho Chi Minh City after the Lunar New Year holiday in February and planned to fly back to Canada on an Emirates flight on March 15.
The airline later informed them that the flight had been postponed to Wednesday, but the family remains unsure whether they will depart as planned because their journey connects through Dubai.
“For now, we can only wait,” Khang said.
Beyond disrupted schedules, geopolitical tensions are also pushing up airline operating costs.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam said Brent crude traded around US$104-105 per barrel on Monday, while U.S. benchmark WTI stood at about $99-100.
In Asia’s aviation fuel market, Jet A-1 prices on an FOB Singapore basis remained around $198-200 per barrel, indicating a tight refined fuel supply.
Market prices are also in backwardation, reflecting strong immediate demand while short-term supply remains constrained.
The conflict is increasingly disrupting global aviation, with airlines canceling flights, rerouting aircraft, and facing sharply rising fuel costs.
Van Giang - Cong Trung / Tuoi Tre News