KARACHI: The airspace of ten Middle Eastern countries remains severely affected, with flight operations suspended since US and Israeli launched attacks on Iran a week ago.
Iran has already targeted several Muslim countries in Middle East, including UAE, using presence of US facilities as justification. In such circumstances, the question arises: how is United Arab Emirates suddenly operating hundreds of special flights to transport millions of stranded passengers to their destinations?
Foreign media have revealed existence of back-channel diplomacy between UAE and Iran. According to a report by foreign channel ABC, UAE’s airspace and regular flight operations remain closed, which raises the question of how flights are still operating.
The report states flights departing from UAE are not scheduled commercial flights but special flights. They reflect an extraordinary story of back-channel diplomacy between Iran and Gulf states.
These back-channel routes were established through Qatar and Yemen, allowing UAE to open limited airspace and create a safe corridor for flights. This corridor has been designed to help millions of passengers worldwide return home from UAE.
According to the report, UAE assured Iran it would not allow its territory to be used by any third party for operations against Iran. In return, Iran permitted flights from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to use a designated route under a secure corridor.
The details of this arrangement are described as quite remarkable. Iran has agreed not to target commercial aircraft flying along these specific routes.
The report adds the arrangement is currently temporary, lasting about 48 hours, but it could be extended if situation remains stable. For passengers hoping to return home, this may be the best possible option.
This is why many residents of Dubai and Abu Dhabi are now relieved and even pleased that flights are operating again.
On the other hand, not a single flight has departed from Kuwait, Bahrain, or Qatar over the past week. Thousands of passengers in these countries are travelling via extremely expensive land routes through Saudi Arabia in order to reach their destinations.
