Flights from Incheon International Airport to the Middle East are being canceled in succession due to the U.S. and Israeli surprise attack on Iran. Both passenger and cargo aircraft have been grounded, disrupting logistics operations. Some passengers traveling to Europe via the Middle East were seen anxiously scrambling over canceled flights.
According to Incheon International Airport Corporation on the 2nd, Qatar Airways flight QR859, scheduled to depart Incheon for Doha at 12:20 a.m. the previous day, was canceled. Korean Air flight KE951, set to leave for Dubai at 1 p.m., was also grounded. Three passenger flights to Dubai and Abu Dhabi were consecutively canceled on February 28 as well.
Cargo flights were also affected. Qatar Airways cargo flight QR8985, scheduled to take off at 3:10 a.m. on the 1st, was canceled the day before. Etihad flight EY823 to Abu Dhabi, set to depart at 5:50 p.m. on the 1st, reportedly had not confirmed its departure status as of 4 p.m.
There was also a harrowing case of an aircraft turning back after learning of the situation mid-flight. A Korean Air passenger plane that took off for Dubai around 1:35 p.m. on the 28th of last month made an emergency decision to return to Incheon Airport. The aircraft reportedly received news while over Myanmar airspace that Dubai International Airport had been attacked and completely shut down.
Arriving flights have also been unable to depart. On the 1st, four passenger flights and one cargo flight scheduled to travel from Doha, Abu Dhabi, Dubai and other Middle Eastern destinations to Incheon were all canceled.
Some passengers heading to Europe via the Middle East rushed to the airport after hearing of cancellations to inquire with airlines. One passenger with a flight booked for the 3rd to Mozambique via Dubai and Johannesburg visited the airport and sought out the Emirates office. The passenger asked the airline, "I'm wondering whether compensation covers only the leg to Dubai, or all connecting flights after the layover." The airline responded, "You need to contact your travel agency. Right now, not just Emirates but all airlines including Etihad and Qatar are affected, so you'll need to find routes that avoid the Middle East."
Another passenger planning to travel to Budapest, Hungary via Dubai on the 5th was also seen visiting the airline to ask about alternatives. When asked about refunds, the airline said, "We cannot give a definitive answer about future flight schedules as the situation may or may not improve. A full refund will likely be possible. When rebooking tickets, we recommend booking a direct flight to Budapest rather than routing through Dubai."
Flights to the Middle East are likely to remain disrupted beyond this day. On the 1st, Korean Air announced, "Due to airspace restrictions caused by instability in the Middle East, Korean Air's Incheon-Dubai and Dubai-Incheon routes have been canceled through March 5. Flight operations from March 6 onward will be determined based on the situation in the Middle East." A Korean Air official said, "We will monitor the situation and take follow-up scheduling measures accordingly."