By Mapaballo Borotho
- Flight cancellations and closed airspaces have stranded travellers at major South African airports amid Middle East tensions.
- Iran retaliated after US-Israeli strikes reportedly killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
- Authorities have urged passengers to avoid non-essential travel as airspaces remain closed.
Flight cancellations and the closure of airspaces have left travellers frustrated at OR Tambo International Airport amid escalating tensions between the United States, Israel and Iran.
The US-Israel military campaign, launched on Saturday and reportedly aimed at regime change in Iran, killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) responded to the strikes by targeting US bases and assets across the Middle East as part of Operation “Truthful Promise 4”.
Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has confirmed the closure of the United Arab Emirates airspace. Qatar, Bahrain and Iran are among the countries that have also closed their airspace as a safety measure.
As of Monday morning, there were eight flight cancellations at OR Tambo International Airport, four at Cape Town International Airport, and two at King Shaka International Airport.
ACSA has urged passengers to contact their airlines for updates regarding their flights.
Meanwhile, the International Relations Department has called on passengers to avoid non-essential travel to Qatar, Dubai, Bahrain and Iran.
South Africans who are currently in the Middle East are unable to return home until the closed airspaces are declared safe.
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