Two Qatar Airways aircraft and one Emirates aircraft remain grounded at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi after several Middle Eastern countries closed or restricted their airspace from Feb. 28, prompting widespread flight cancellations and delays.
According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, Qatar Airways has canceled multiple flights from Hanoi to Doha. These include flight QR977 on Feb. 28 with 384 passengers, QR985 on March 1 with 247 passengers, and QR983 on March 1 with 292 passengers.
Another QR977 service scheduled to depart on the evening of March 1, carrying 361 passengers, is awaiting further operational updates.
Two Qatar Airways cargo flights from Hanoi to Doha were also suspended.
A Qatar Airways aircraft over Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi. Photo by Read/Giang Huy |
At Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, Qatar Airways has canceled several services on March 1-2, including QR975 on March 1 with more than 300 passengers, QR971 with over 200 passengers, and QR975 on March 2 with more than 200 passengers.
Emirates canceled flight EK395 from Hanoi to Dubai on March 1, affecting 153 passengers. Information regarding a scheduled March 2 departure is still pending.
Etihad Airways also canceled flight EY431 from Hanoi to Abu Dhabi on March 1, impacting 276 passengers.
Airlines have kept ticket offices in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City open to assist affected travelers with rebooking and related procedures. Additional staff have been deployed at airport counters to provide guidance on itinerary changes, compensation policies, and hotel arrangements.
Passengers transiting in Hanoi on canceled services have been provided accommodation by the airlines. Authorities said they will continue monitoring developments and update passengers as new information becomes available.
The disruptions follow escalating tensions in the Middle East linked to the United States and Israel’s military strikes in Iran.
Since Feb. 28, countries including Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Israel have announced temporary closures or restrictions of their airspace for security reasons.
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