Abu Dhabi, Jun 22, 2019, SPA -- United Arab Emirates' carrier Etihad Airways announced suspending operations through Iranian airspace over the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman. In a statement issued here today, Etihad Airways said: "Following the decision yesterday of the US Federal Aviation Administration to restrict US airline operations over Iranian-controlled airspace, we consulted closely with the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority and other UAE airlines to evaluate the US action." "Etihad Airways subsequently suspended operations through Iranian airspace over the Straits of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman, and will use alternative flight paths on a number of routes to and from Abu Dhabi until further notice," it added. These changes will cause delays on some departures from Abu Dhabi "due to increased congestion in available airspace, and will increase journey times on some routes," it concluded. -- SPA 17:40 LOCAL TIME 14:40 GMT 0009 www.spa.gov.sa/w1123495