Singaporeans urged to postpone non-essential travel to Middle East

Singaporeans planning non-essential trips to areas affected by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East are urged to postpone their trips and adhere to travel advisories by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

- Syarafana Shafeeq

This is because the authorities are concerned over the escalating tensions in the region, said Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim.

Speaking to the media at Changi Airport on June 25, Associate Professor Faishal noted that 43 haj pilgrims who were supposed to return to Singapore on a June 23 Scoot flight from Jeddah were affected when the flight was cancelled.

An alternative flight via Malaysia Airlines was subsequently arranged, and the pilgrims safely landed back in Singapore on June 25, he said.

Scoot had earlier cited operational and safety considerations for cancelling some flights to and from Jeddah, amid military strikes between Israel and Iran.