Following the recent escalation in the Middle East, Singapore Airlines (SIA) and Scoot have announced the cancellation of multiple flights. This decision comes in response to the U.S. and Israel launching strikes against targets in Iran, raising concerns for air travel safety in the region.
Cancelled Flights
On 28 February and 1 March 2024, four SIA flights and two Scoot flights have been cancelled:
- SIA Flight SQ494: Singapore to Dubai (28 February)
- SIA Flight SQ495: Dubai to Singapore (1 March)
- Scoot Flight TR596: Singapore to Jeddah (28 February)
- Scoot Flight TR597: Jeddah to Singapore (28 February)
Advisory to Passengers
In light of the chaos, SIA strongly advises customers to keep their contact details updated through the Manage Booking function on the SIA and Scoot websites, or subscribe to their mobile notification service for the latest flight information. A spokesperson stated, “We will continue to monitor the situation in the Middle East closely and will adjust our flight paths as needed.”
Government Warnings and Other Airlines
Singapore’s embassies in the Middle East have also issued advisories for citizens in the region to exercise caution and stay informed about the situation. Additionally, two Malaysia Airlines flights bound for the Middle East were diverted on 27 February due to safety concerns. These flights were safely redirected to Chennai and returned to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).
This series of disruptions follows ongoing tensions and military actions between Israel and Iran, marking a significant moment in international relations that could have wider implications for global air travel. Just as a good dish depends on the right ingredients, the balance of international peace relies on tact and diplomacy.