SOUTH Africans heading to the Middle East are facing chaos as the UAE airspace stays shut, leaving travellers stuck and flights disrupted.
"Travellers scheduled to depart from South African airports to the Middle East and UAE are advised not to proceed to airport precincts until they have confirmed their flight status with their respective airline," warns Airports Company South Africa (Acsa).
For those desperate to rebook, airlines are urging passengers to contact them directly:
- Emirates - www.emirates.com | +971 600 555 555
- Qatar Airways - www.qatarairways.com | +974 4144 5555
South Africans trapped in the region are being told to reach out to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) or the nearest embassy.
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"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 Acsa group spokesman, Ofentse Dijoe.
Acsa confirmed that the current closure of UAE airspace is affecting flights operated by Emirates and Qatar Airways thus far.
"Passengers are strongly advised to contact their airlines or relevant embassies directly for the latest flight schedules and status updates".
Acsa says it remains committed to the safety of all travellers, and its thoughts are with those impacted by these disruptions.
Travellers are advised to rely on official sources for updates and to remain calm as the situation develops.
