Airline pilots working routes across the Middle East have expressed widespread concern about safety and potential workplace repercussions if they refuse to operate flights during the ongoing Iran conflict, according to the head of the International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations (IFALPA).

Ron Hay, president of the Montreal-based federation and a captain at Delta Air Lines, said pilots from countries including Lebanon and India have reported fears of retaliation ranging from unpaid assignments to dismissal. He described a climate in which some aviators feel discouraged from declining flights, even when conditions are uncertain due to sudden airspace closures linked to missile or drone activity.

“There is an underlying fear of retribution,” Hay said, noting that while some pilots worry about losing their jobs, others risk forfeiting pay if they opt out of specific routes.

His comments come as some Middle Eastern airlines continue to restore services following a recently announced ceasefire, which remains fragile amid continued hostilities.

Hay declined to identify specific carriers but criticised what he described as a lack of a strong safety culture in parts of the region, where pilots may feel unable to voice concerns freely. He added that the current conflict has intensified longstanding issues.

IFALPA, which represents pilot associations in countries including Bahrain, Egypt, Israel, Kuwait and Lebanon, does not include unions at major Gulf airlines in the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, where labour organisations are not established.

Airlines in the region maintain that safety remains their top priority. Flights to and from key hubs in the UAE and Qatar continue to operate through designated corridors coordinated with aviation regulators.

Attempts to gather firsthand accounts from pilots based in Gulf countries were unsuccessful, with many declining to comment or not responding to inquiries.

Rising Operational and Mental Health Risks

Despite the ceasefire announcement, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency has extended restrictions on European carriers flying through parts of Middle Eastern airspace, including the UAE and Qatar, until April 24. However, airlines based in Dubai and Doha, along with Indian carriers, continue to operate in the region.

In response to mounting concerns, IFALPA recently issued guidance stressing that pilots must retain a decisive and non-negotiable role in safety-related decisions.

A separate bulletin from the United Nations’ aviation agency highlighted the psychological strain on aviation personnel operating in or near conflict zones, warning that heightened stress, fatigue and anxiety could have critical safety implications.

Hay said many pilots have also reported insufficient guidance on navigating rapidly changing risks, such as sudden airport closures following drone strikes, complicating operational planning.

In India, members of IFALPA previously raised concerns over continued flights by Air India to affected Gulf destinations, describing the situation as serious and urging authorities to suspend operations pending a comprehensive risk assessment.

A source familiar with the matter said Air India has engaged external consultants to conduct daily safety evaluations. India’s aviation regulator has not publicly responded to these concerns.

The challenges extend beyond the cockpit. Hay cited reports from pilots in Beirut who faced difficulties returning home after landing, as infrastructure damage from the conflict disrupted access routes between the airport and residential areas.

Source: ZAWYA

Air travel across Italy was disrupted on Friday after a technical fault affected the country’s air traffic control systems, resulting in flight delays and cancellations.

Air traffic control provider ENAV said it had introduced temporary restrictions on air traffic capacity after detecting overnight anomalies in the data transmission network supporting air traffic services nationwide.

Authorities said the disruption was not caused by sabotage and confirmed that the technical issue had been resolved later in the day.

Data from aviation analytics company Cirium showed that 192 flights had been cancelled by around 1000 GMT. At the same time, only about 31% of departures from Italian airports were leaving on schedule.

The situation was particularly challenging at the country’s major airports. On-time departures stood at approximately 25% at Milan Malpensa Airport and 28% at Rome Fiumicino Airport.

ENAV announced at around 1325 GMT that it had restored full operational capacity, bringing the technical disruption to an end.

Source: Reuters

Saudi telecom operator STC Group is offering free, unlimited calls to and from Saudi Arabia for customers roaming overseas, helping travellers maintain contact with their families amid continuing flight disruptions.

Announced on X, the initiative runs from October 12 to October 19. STC said the offer was intended to support customers facing difficulties staying connected with loved ones during an uncertain period.

“We understand how difficult it can be to be away from family, particularly during times like these,” the company told Arab News.

STC added that free, unlimited calling would make it easier for customers outside the Kingdom to communicate with relatives and provide reassurance during the disruption.

The initiative comes as flights to and from Riyadh face interruptions following a recent attack on King Khalid International Airport.

On Monday, Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation announced on X that the airport’s operational suspension had been extended to allow safety inspections of its facilities to be completed. The authority did not provide a timeline for the resumption of flights.

Traveller Welcomes Initiative but Calls for Free Internet

Hisham Al-Ghasim, a Saudi citizen whose return journey from Bangkok to Riyadh was disrupted, welcomed STC’s offer but said free internet access would have been more practical.

His existing mobile package already covered calls, while internet connectivity was important for arranging alternative travel, making bookings and accessing essential applications.

He told Arab News that providing unrestricted internet access instead of free calls would have been more useful because many everyday communications and travel arrangements depend on online services.

Al-Ghasim had completed a business trip to Bangkok and was waiting for a taxi when he received a notification that his return flight had been delayed.

He said he was informed that his departure had been postponed by three days. Although he had been following developments, he had not expected his flight booking to be cancelled.

His original itinerary involved an Emirates flight via Dubai to Riyadh. He subsequently arranged to end his journey in the United Arab Emirates instead.

After reaching Dubai, Al-Ghasim contacted the Saudi Consulate General, which offered assistance with returning to the Kingdom by road through organised group transport.

Saudi Missions Assist Stranded Citizens

Saudi embassies and consulates have also been helping citizens affected by flight cancellations associated with regional security developments.

Their support includes arranging emergency accommodation and helping travellers identify alternative routes to return home as aviation disruptions continue.

Source: Arab News

flydubai has cancelled all flights to Riyadh until October 14, the airline confirmed in a statement.

A spokesperson said the carrier is monitoring the situation in coordination with the relevant authorities and will notify passengers of any changes to flight schedules through its official communication channels.

Passengers affected by the cancellations have been advised to visit the Manage Booking section on the airline’s website, flydubai.com, to review available refund or rebooking options.

Customers who purchased tickets through travel agents should contact their agents directly for assistance.

The airline apologised to passengers for the inconvenience caused by the disruption and said it would continue to provide updates through its official channels.

Source: Emirates247

Qatar Airways has temporarily suspended services to Riyadh and Dammam, issuing a travel alert for passengers travelling to the two Saudi Arabian destinations.

The Qatari airline said it was monitoring developments in Saudi Arabia in coordination with the relevant authorities. In response to the evolving situation, the carrier halted flights to both cities until further notice.

Passengers have been urged to verify their flight status through the airline’s official website or mobile application before travelling.

Qatar Airways said the safety of passengers and crew remains its highest priority. The airline added that customers affected by the suspensions would be contacted directly, with additional updates published on its website as more information becomes available.

Source: QNA

Several UAE airlines have cancelled flights to Saudi Arabia, disrupting services to Riyadh and Dammam between October 10 and October 14, according to airline announcements and published flight schedules.

Flydubai confirmed that its flights between Dubai and Riyadh would remain cancelled through October 14. The airline said it was monitoring developments in coordination with the relevant authorities and would communicate further schedule changes through its official channels.

Passengers affected by the cancellations have been advised to visit the Manage Booking section on flydubai’s website to review available refund and rebooking options. Customers who purchased tickets through travel agents should contact their respective agents for assistance. The airline also apologised for the inconvenience caused by the changes.

Etihad Airways has cancelled selected flights between Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh for the period from October 10 to October 12.

Emirates has also recorded cancellations on several services between Dubai and Riyadh on October 11 and 12. Disruptions extended to flights connecting Dubai with Dammam on October 11.

For October 12, Emirates' published schedules listed flights EK823 and EK821 between Dubai and Dammam as cancelled, while flight EK827 remained scheduled to operate.

The cancellations reflect schedule adjustments by multiple UAE carriers serving Saudi Arabia during the affected period.

Airlines have advised passengers to monitor official communication channels for the latest flight information and to contact their carriers or travel agents to discuss available options if their journeys have been affected.

Source: Emirates247