Johannesburg – Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has issued an urgent advisory warning travellers of continued international flight disruptions linked to the evolving situation in the Middle East and the closure of United Arab Emirates (UAE) airspace.
In a statement, ACSA said it “notes ongoing global flight disruptions due to the evolving situation in the Middle East and the continued closure of United Arab Emirates (UAE) airspace.”
The airport authority urged passengers travelling to affected destinations to verify their flight details before heading to the airport.
“Travellers scheduled to depart from South African airports to the Middle East and the UAE are strongly advised not to proceed to airport precincts until they have confirmed their flight status directly with their respective airlines,” the statement read.
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
Ongoing International Flight Disruptions 🚨
01 MARCH 2026Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) notes ongoing global flight disruptions due to the evolving situation in the Middle East and the continued closure of United Arab Emirates (UAE) airspace.… pic.twitter.com/uwTE5ifzl8
— Airports Company SA (@Airports_ZA) March 1, 2026
The disruptions are expected to affect passengers departing from major international gateways, including O.R. Tambo International Airport, Cape Town International Airport and King Shaka International Airport.
ACSA advised affected passengers to contact their airlines directly for rebooking and assistance, listing contact details for Emirates and Qatar Airways, both of which operate routes between South Africa and the Gulf region.
South African citizens stranded in impacted areas have been encouraged to seek consular support.
ALERT | Important information for South African citizens currently in the Middle East region.
In the event that you find yourself in distress, please contact the SA Embassy/Consulate in the country of your residence. Visit https://t.co/jLfq4M13kS #MiddleEast#ConsularService pic.twitter.com/xlVEbb1xqR
— DIRCO South Africa (@DIRCO_ZA) March 1, 2026
“South African citizens stranded in affected areas should contact the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) or the nearest South African mission,” ACSA said.
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) can be reached via its main switchboard or dedicated consular channels.
ACSA said it is closely tracking developments in collaboration with aviation stakeholders. “ACSA continues to monitor developments in coordination with aviation stakeholders. We acknowledge the inconvenience caused and extend our support to all affected travellers,” the statement added.
The airport authority also cautioned the public against misinformation, urging travellers to rely on official communication channels.
“Please rely only on verified information from official sources. Further updates will be shared as they become available.”
Follow African Insider on Facebook, X and Instagram
Picture: Pixabay
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Betha Madhomu
