By UCHECHI OKPORIE
Ethiopian Airlines have announced the cancellation of flights to ten destinations across the Middle East as widespread airspace closures and security concerns intensify following the recent escalation in conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel.
In a statement on Monday, the carrier said it expanded its earlier suspension originally affecting four cities to include Amman (Jordan), Tel Aviv (Israel), Beirut (Lebanon), Dammam (Saudi Arabia), Doha (Qatar), Bahrain, Kuwait, Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates).
The airline cited ongoing airspace restrictions and safety considerations for passengers and crew.
The move reflects a disruption in international air travel, as multiple countries in the region have temporarily shut their skies or severely limited flights.
Data from aviation trackers show that thousands of flights have been cancelled or diverted as airlines and aviation authorities work around closed airspace in key hubs including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Kuwait and Bahrain.
The expanded closures are linked to the fallout from recent military actions and retaliatory strikes, which have prompted nations across the Middle East to impose flight restrictions.
Major carriers including Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad and others have also suspended routes in and out of the region, and global delays have been reported as airlines reroute aircraft to safer corridors where possible.
Ethiopian Airlines has urged affected passengers to check the status of their bookings through official channels and to monitor updates as the situation evolves.
