This archive report was first published on 8 January 2020.
On January 8, 2020, tensions in the Middle East escalated as Iran fired 22 missiles at two US bases in Iraq, prompting UAE airlines Emirates and Flydubai, as well as Air France, to cancel flights to Baghdad.
Emirates Airline cited 'operational reasons' for cancelling flights EK 943 and EK 944, which were scheduled to operate on January 8.
"Emirates flights EK 943 from Dubai to Baghdad and flight EK 944 from Baghdad to Dubai on 8 January have been cancelled for operational reasons," Emirates Airline stated.
Meanwhile, Flydubai also cancelled its scheduled flight to Baghdad on January 8, but continued to operate flights to Basra and Najaf.
"We are liaising with the relevant authorities and continue to monitor the situation closely," Flydubai said.
Other Gulf airlines, including Bahrain's Gulf Air, had previously suspended flights to Baghdad and Najaf due to safety concerns.
Iran's missile strikes were in retaliation for the US drone strike that killed top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani on January 3, 2020.
