ACSA issues urgent travel advisory following UAE airspace closure

South African travellers bound for the Middle East are being urged to stay away from airport terminals until they have received direct confirmation of their flight status from their respective airlines.

The advisory follows a sharp escalation of tensions in the Middle East over the weekend, involving airstrikes between Iran, Israel, and the United States.

Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) confirmed that the volatile situation led to the immediate closure of airspace in the United Arab Emirates. This follows reports of explosions in Dubai, a major global transit hub.

READ: Middle East tensions spark major flight disruptions between South Africa and UAE

The impact on local operations has been significant:

14 flights (inbound and outbound) between Dubai and South Africa have been cancelled.

Thousands of passengers remain stranded at various international airports.

ACSA spokesperson Ofentse Dijoe stated that the company is working closely with aviation partners to manage the fallout from the regional instability.

"ACSA continues to monitor developments in coordination with aviation stakeholders. We acknowledge the frustration and anxiety caused by these disruptions and extend our support to all affected travellers," said Dijoe.
Passengers are strongly advised to rely solely on information from official airline channels rather than arriving at the airport in hopes of rebooking. Dijoe added that further updates will be communicated as the situation develops and more information becomes available.