Air Canada has extended its suspension of flights between Toronto and Dubai to at least 01MAY, citing unrest in the Middle East. Its other Middle East route, to Tel Aviv, remains suspended until 02MAY.
“We plan to reintroduce service gradually when flights can safely resume," Air Canada said in a post on X 13MAR.
The extended cancellation comes as Dubai, normally teeming with tourists on its streets, beaches, pools, hotels, theme parks and Michelin-starred restaurants, has emptied. “The place is a ghost-town now,” a local told the Daily Mail, adding many hotels have told staff to take paid leave due to low occupancy.
According to one report, not only are the streets devoid of wealthy influencers, the beaches that were recently packed with visitors are now occupied by camels.
While Dubai is not directly in the conflict zone, the city has felt its impact.
On 13MAR, UAE air defences intercepted seven ballistic missiles and 27 drones launched from Iran, damaging a building facade but causing no injuries. Since the start of attacks, UAE defences have engaged 285 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and 1,567 drones.
In its X post yesterday, Air Canada also wrote: "We continue to add capacity to Delhi to provide travellers with options to Canada."
In early March, Air Canada boosted YYZ–DEL service with a second daily flight as well as larger aircraft on select Toronto–London–Mumbai routes, offering Canadians more ways to exit the region, Open Jaw reported.
