Flydubai Cancels Certain UAE-Russia Flights ‘Until Further Notice’
Flight restrictions from the United Arab Emirates have been issued as Russia continues its war on Ukraine. Flydubai has announced that it would discontinue its flights to Krasnodar and Rostov-on-Don, both locations in southern Russia, in the near future.
It was initially planned to cease the flights and services to Ukrainian locations as well as Minsk, Belarus, in late February, but the suspension was extended. Flydubai has now verified to The National that these flights have been put on hold “until further notice.”
In a statement, they said that they were in contact with passengers addressing their refund and rebooking alternatives.
“It may open up tomorrow, or it could take longer; it all depends on the scenario at the time of writing.” Flights from Etihad Airways to Russia are continuing to operate as usual, according to a company spokeswoman.
The National has reached out to Emirates, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, and Air Arabia to request comment on this story. Russian airlines ceased international flights last week, with carriers such as S7 and Ural stopping services to and from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
In response to “mass arrests of aircraft abroad,” the Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsiya) has recommended that Russian airlines with planes registered in foreign destinations suspend international flights from March 6 “amid mass arrests of aircraft abroad,” according to local reports, for fear that the planes will be seized by foreign governments.
Aeroflot, Azur Air, and Nordwind Airlines were among among the airlines that ceased international operations due to financial difficulties.
Aeroflot, Russia’s flag carrier and biggest airline, said on March 8 that it would suspend international flights, but that it would maintain domestic operations, with the exception of flights to towns in southern Russia, which would be temporarily suspended. Flights to the Belarusian capital of Minsk are likewise excluded.
Flights to Ukraine from the United Arab Emirates were also halted immediately after Russia invaded the nation on February 24. Ukraine has blocked its airspace to civilian planes due to a substantial danger to public safety, according to the government.
Its flights were halted by Flydubai, Wizz Air, Air Arabia, and Etihad Airways, among others. Emirates does not have any flights to Ukraine at this time.
