Flight through Kuwait scrapped

A British Airways (BA) flight to London via Kuwait scheduled for midnight Monday from Abu Dhabi was cancelled in the wake of a likely U.S.-led war against Iraq.

The flight was scheduled to fly to Montreal via Kuwait and London. According to airline industry sources, the flight from Abu Dhabi to Kuwait was cancelled due to the war clouds gathering in the region. The sources suggest the decision had been taken to avoid the skies close to the possible war zone.

All the passengers bound for London and Montreal were booked on a flight from Dubai, which took off at 2am yesterday morning via Larnaca in Cyprus.

According the airline, the flights from Abu Dhabi to London will resume today via Larnaca, but skipping Kuwait for safety.

A statement from the airline said: "Flights will recommence from London via Larnaca to Abu Dhabi with effect from Wednesday. British Airways' flights to Bahrain, Doha, Jeddah, Dubai and Riyadh will continue to operate via Larnaca in Cyprus. Flights to Muscat will remain suspended temporarily."

According to the airline, the decision was taken in light of Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) travel warning, advising against travel to Kuwait and asking British nationals to leave Kuwait urgently.

"Today's London Heathrow to Kuwait flight, BA157, will depart at midday and will arrive at Kuwait at 2250 local time. The return flight BA1156 will depart Kuwait at 0025 local time on Wednesday and arrives at London Heathrow at 0640 local time," the airline said yesterday.

All passengers booked to travel to Kuwait between today and March 30 will be offered the opportunity to rebook to travel at a later date, or offered travel with alternative airlines or a refund, the airline said.

Passengers in the Gulf were also advised to contact the local British Airways offices on the following numbers: Abu Dhabi 6224540, Bahrain 587777, Dhahran 882 2000, Doha 4321434, Dubai 3075777, Jeddah 6693464, Muscat 568777 and Riyadh 4645550.