Emirates Airlines resumes flights to Iraq, cancels routes to Iran and Lebanon

NEWSROOM – Emirates Airlines has resumed its flights to Iraq, with services to Baghdad and Basra airports starting today. However, the airline has canceled flights to Iran and Lebanon.

In a statement, Emirates said that following “an operational review,” it has restarted flights to Basra and Baghdad. Passengers transiting through Dubai to final destinations in Iraq will be accepted for travel.

This comes after Emirates announced on Oct. 3 the suspension of all flights to and from Iraq, Iran, and Jordan, citing escalating regional tensions.

Regarding Iran, the airline confirmed the cancellation of flights to Tehran as of October 8, 2024. Passengers bound for Tehran via Dubai will not be accepted for travel until at least October 15. Similarly, flights to Beirut, Lebanon, remain suspended until October 15. Passengers with Dubai as a layover for Beirut will not be accepted for travel until further notice, the statement added.

These cancellations follow rising tensions after Iran launched approximately 200 missiles targeting Israel earlier this month. Some missiles passed through Jordanian and Iraqi airspace, prompting a warning from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Tehran would face retribution.