The DFA has updated their travel advice for Qatar and UAE (23 June 2025), with both destinations having a security status with the DFA as “High Degree of Caution”. Emirates and Qatar Airways have issued travel alerts with advice for travellers flying with the airlines.
Emirates Updates on Flight Operations (Updated, 24 June 2025)
Dublin, 24 June 2025: Emirates’ passengers experienced minimal disruptions to their travel plans after last night’s (23 June 2025) regional events, with regularly scheduled flights resuming within a few short hours. The airline quickly activated its robust contingency and disruption plans, with no diversions, only a small number of cancellations and a few flights experiencing longer flight paths due to airspace congestion.
Despite rapidly evolving regional developments, it’s been business as usual across the Emirates network. In the past two weeks, Emirates has maintained scheduled services by rerouting flights to avoid conflict zones, successfully serving over 1.7 million passengers on more than 5,800 flights across its global network and delivering certainty to their travel plans when they needed it the most, while upholding its commitment to safe, reliable travel.
The airline took immediate action by suspending flights only to areas directly impacted by conflict while maintaining operations to all other destinations. Services to Amman and Beirut were briefly suspended but resumed quickly, demonstrating Emirates’ ability to adapt its operations while prioritising safety, and helping thousands of families start their summer holidays.
The airline states that “The safety of Emirates’ passengers and crew is its absolute priority, and the airline would never fly if it was not safe to do so. Emirates continuously monitors developments, coordinates with aviation authorities, and assesses every potential risk to ensure all flights are safely rerouted away from conflict zones, all the while meeting the most stringent regulatory requirements.”
Throughout the last two weeks, the airline kept customers informed with regular operational website updates as well as on its social media channels, and reservations teams helped reaccommodate affected customers.
Emirates will continue to actively monitor developments in co-ordination with the relevant authorities, and the airline’s priority will always be to ensure safe and smooth operations, by adapting quickly and appropriately, so that customers can travel with confidence.
For decades, the airline has successfully navigated challenges while maintaining its commitment to connecting customers to their destinations safely, efficiently and comfortably all while delivering exceptional service onboard and on ground. The UAE’s leadership have put in place strong contingency plans and systems to support essential services, empowering Emirates to maintain safe, uninterrupted operations.
23 June 2025, 19:46 Dubai, “Due to the recent regional situation, a number of Emirates flights were rerouted en route to Dubai on 23 June, but there were no diversions. After a thorough and careful risk assessment, Emirates will continue to operate flights as scheduled, using flight paths well distanced from conflict areas. Some flights may incur delays due to longer re‑routings or airspace congestion, but Emirates’ teams are working hard to keep to schedule and minimise any disruption or inconvenience to our customers.”
- Emirates advises all customers to check flight status before proceeding to the airport.
- Customers impacted by flight cancellations must contact their travel agency for rebooking. If booked directly with Emirates, please contact Emirates. Customers are requested to ensure their contact details are correct by visiting Manage Your Booking to receive updates.
Iran & Iraq temporary flight suspension by Emirates (23 June 2025, 05:47 Dubai (GMT+4))
Due to the regional situation, Emirates temporarily suspended all flights to Iran (Tehran) and Iraq (Baghdad and Basra), until and including 30 June 2025. Customers connecting through Dubai with final destinations in Iraq and Iran will not be accepted for travel at their point of origin until further notice.
Qatar Airways – Confirms Airspace Re-opening
Further to Qatar Airways’ earlier statement, which advised of the closure of air traffic movement in the State of Qatar and the confirmation of the temporary suspension of Qatar Airways flights, Qatar Airways has updated its travel alerts and confirms the re-opening of airspace in the State of Qatar.
“We are working closely with government stakeholders and the relevant authorities to support any passengers that have been impacted, and will resume operations as quickly as possible. As usual, operations resume, we anticipate significant delays to our flight schedule. We would advise passengers to check qatarairways.com or the Qatar Airways mobile application ahead of travel. The safety of our passengers and crew remains our highest priority.”
To ensure connectivity and minimise disruption, Qatar Airways has rescheduled a number of flights over the coming weeks in order to preserve the integrity, reliability and resilience of the airline’s global network. In some cases, departure times may be earlier than originally scheduled.
Ahead of travel, passengers are urged to verify their flight departure times via qatarairways.com or by using the Qatar Airways mobile app to ensure a seamless journey.
Qatar Airways has temporarily cancelled flights to Iran, Iraq and Syria due to the current situation in the region. The affected airports in Iran include: Imam Khomeini Airport (IKA), Mashhad Airport (MHD) & Shiraz Airport (SYZ). In Iraq, the affected airports are: Baghdad Airport (BGW), Erbil Airport (EBL), Basra Airport (BSR), Sulaymaniyah Airport (ISU) & Najaf Airport (NJF). In Syria, the affected airport is Damascus International Airport (DAM)
DFA – Travel Advice Updates for Qatar & UAE
The DFA has updated their travel advice for Qatar and UAE (23 June 2025).
Qatar – Security Status – High Degree of Caution
DFA continue to monitor ongoing regional tensions. Please exercise caution, monitor local and international media, follow the advice of local authorities, and observe any additional security measures imposed during this time. Continuing airport disruptions are anticipated. Please contact the airline for relevant updates prior to travel. For the latest updates, follow the Irish Embassy in Abu Dhabi here. For urgent consular assistance, please contact them at +971 495 8200 or [email protected]. Visitors can contact the emergency services in Qatar by dialling 999. For more, check out Qatar: https://ireland.ie/en/dfa/overseas-travel/advice/qatar/…
DFA Tips for Safe Travels:
- Get comprehensive travel insurance that covers all planned activities.
- Register your details with the DFA so that they can contact you quickly if there is an unforeseen crisis.
- Follow them on X @dfatravelwise and Instagram @dfatravelwise for the latest travel updates.
- Read their ‘Know Before You Go’ guide.
- As there is no Irish Embassy in Qatar, however, if assistance is required, please contact the Irish Embassy in Abu Dhabi.
United Arab Emirates – Security Status – High Degree of Caution
The DFA advises that airport disruptions are anticipated. Please contact your airline for relevant updates prior to travel.
The Embassy of Ireland, Abu Dhabi, is closely monitoring the current regional situation and advises that Irish citizens exercise heightened caution. Please follow the instructions of the local authorities. For further updates, please monitor the Embassy’s social media channels on X, Instagram, and Facebook. For the full update, see UAE: https://ireland.ie/en/dfa/overseas-travel/advice/united-arab-emirates/…
Emergency Assistance
The DFA states the best help is often close at hand; if visitors encounter minor problems, try talking to local contacts, tour operator representatives, or hotel management. Visitors can contact the emergency services in the UAE by dialling 999. Specific emergency numbers are: Police: 999 | Fire brigade: 997 | Ambulance: 998
If emergency assistance is required from the Embassy, then contact them immediately at: +971 (0) 2 4958200.
The DFA advises, if emergency assistance is required at the weekend or on a public holiday, leave a message on the answering machine. The answering machine is monitored regularly, and the Duty Officer at the Embassy will contact you as soon as possible. When you leave a message, remember to state your name, the nature of the problem, and the details of how the Duty Officer can contact you (e.g. leave your mobile phone number or the phone number of the hotel/hostel where you are staying). If necessary, contact the police also. Please note that the Duty Officer will deal with emergencies only.
Monday – Thursday 09:00-13:00 Friday 09:00-11:00
Embassy of Ireland, UAE
- Atiq Bin Majid Al Muhairi Street, Al Bateen, P.O. Box 61581, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Tel: +971 2 4958200 / Fax: +971 (0)2 6819233
The DFA advises that citizens in the region are encouraged to register at https://citizensregistration.dfa.ie
