Etihad Airways was forced to cancel its flights to and from Bahrain on Thursday after a temporary closure of Bahrain International Airport disrupted regional travel. Flight EY647, which had departed from Abu Dhabi's Zayed International Airport, was compelled to turn back mid-journey due to the sudden shutdown. Consequently, the airline also grounded the return leg, EY648, apologizing to passengers for the inconvenience while emphasizing that the safety of its crew and travelers remains its primary focus.

The disruption comes amid heightened regional tensions, as Bahraini authorities reported intercepting aerial attacks early Thursday morning, prompting the interior ministry to issue safety warnings to residents. While the UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned these hostile actions as a threat to sovereignty, Etihad is continuing to monitor the unfolding security situation closely. The carrier has urged affected customers to keep their contact information updated to receive real-time notifications and advises those needing to adjust their travel plans to reach out via their official customer service channels.