BREAKING: Wizz Air halts all Middle East flights amid escalating tensions
Hungarian low-cost airline Wizz Air has suspended all flights bound for the Middle East with immediate effect due to rising regional tensions and newly imposed airspace restrictions, the company confirmed on Sunday.
The decision comes in response to reports that Iran launched missile attacks targeting a U.S. military base in Qatar. According to American sources, six missiles were fired into the region, and explosions were reportedly heard over Qatari airspace.
In light of these developments, Wizz Air has either redirected or returned all its flights that were en route to the affected region, Blikk reports. One such flight departing from Budapest and originally destined for Dubai was diverted and safely landed in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The airline has begun arranging assistance for the affected passengers.
“Wizz Air is closely monitoring the situation in coordination with relevant authorities and security services. The safety of passengers and crew remains our top priority,” the airline said in a statement sent to Hungarian media.
The airline emphasised that the move was taken in the interest of ensuring the highest level of safety and that further decisions will be made based on developments in the region.
The situation in the Middle East has become increasingly volatile in recent days, with fears growing over a broader conflict involving Iran and Western forces. In this heightened environment, airlines are once again facing the challenge of operating safely in a rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape.
Wizz Air has not yet announced when it plans to resume service to Middle Eastern destinations, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Tel Aviv. Passengers with bookings to the region are advised to monitor the airline’s website or contact customer service for updates.
This is not the first time Wizz Air has had to suspend or reroute flights due to geopolitical instability, but the airline’s swift response underlines the seriousness of the current security concerns.
Read also: