A total of 15 Etihad Airways passenger aircraft departed Abu Dhabi within a three-hour window, in what appeared to be an effort to ease congestion and assist transit passengers stranded since the start of the regional conflict.
In addition to the passenger flights, two Etihad Airways cargo aircraft also took off from Abu Dhabi. Two IndiGo Airbus A320 aircraft — believed to be operating empty — and a Lufthansa A380, which departed after maintenance, were also among the aircraft that left the airport.
Etihad Airways said all flights to and from Abu Dhabi remain suspended until 2 p.m. UAE time on Tuesday, March 3, according to official information released by the airline.
Meanwhile, Dubai-based Emirates said it will begin operating a limited number of flights starting this evening.
“We are accommodating customers with earlier bookings as a priority, and those who have been rebooked to travel on these limited flights will be contacted directly by Emirates,” the airline said in a statement, urging passengers not to go to the airport unless they have been notified.
Emirates added that all other flights remain suspended until further notice.
Air travel across parts of the Gulf region has faced significant disruption following escalating hostilities, leaving thousands of passengers stranded at major transit hubs. (Newswire)
