All Middle East carriers operating at Velana International Airport have been grounded following the escalation of conflict after coordinated US and Israeli strikes on Iran, according to an urgent internal operational update from Maldives Airports Company Limited.
MACL internal communications mentioned that due to rapidly evolving airspace restrictions across parts of the Middle East, multiple outbound and inbound services have been halted at VIA as a precautionary safety measure.
In a dramatic development, flydubai departed Malé earlier but was forced to turn back mid-route and is now returning to land at VIA after airspace complications emerged along its planned flight path.
Live flight tracking platforms show widespread rerouting and holding patterns across Gulf and Iranian airspace as regional authorities impose closures and airlines scramble to reassess safe corridors. Earlier today, Iran shut portions of its airspace following the strikes, triggering a chain reaction of diversions and suspensions across major aviation hubs including Dubai and Doha.
The disruption is expected to cause cascading delays for passengers travelling between the Maldives and key Middle East transit hubs. Airport authorities are advising travellers to remain in contact with their airlines for updated departure times and further instructions as the situation continues to develop.
