Middle East flight suspensions extended into late summer

Global airlines continue to adjust Middle East operations ahead of the summer travel season, extending restrictions on routes to key Gulf destinations as the aviation sector responds to the fallout from the Iran war. The temporary suspension of air traffic at Kuwait International Airport (KWI) this week, after a drone struck Terminal 1 on 3 June, has added to ongoing disruption across the region. While many international carriers have pushed back planned resumptions, regional airlines are gradually restoring services and rebuilding schedules across the Middle East.

 

Air Canada

Air Canada has extended the halt on services to Dubai, UAE, and Tel Aviv, Israel, until 7 September.

 

Air France

French flag carrier Air France has paused flights to Dubai, UAE, and Beirut, Lebanon, until 17 June.

 

British Airways

British Airways has extended the suspension of flights to Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the UAE, Bahrain, Amman in Jordan and Tel Aviv in Israel until 25 October. Flights to Doha, Qatar, are currently scheduled to restart on 1 August, while Riyadh services are expected to resume on 8 August, both with reduced frequencies.

 

Cathay Pacific

Hong Kong carrier Cathay Pacific has extended the cancellation of flights to Dubai, UAE, and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, until 31 August. 

 

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Finnair

Finnish airline Finnair has removed Doha, Qatar, services from its schedule until 2 October and Dubai flights until October. 

 

KLM

Dutch airline KLM has cancelled flights between Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and Dubai, UAE, up to and including 2 August. Services to Riyadh and Dammam in Saudi Arabia have been halted up to and including 12 July.

 

Lufthansa Group

Lufthansa Group carriers, including Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines and Eurowings, continue to maintain extensive restrictions across the Middle East. Services to Abu Dhabi, UAE, Amman, Jordan, Beirut, Lebanon, Dammam and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Erbil, Iraq, Muscat, Oman, and Tehran, Iran, remain suspended until 24 October across much of the group. Dubai operations are currently not expected to resume before 13 September.

 

Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines has extended the pause on flights between Singapore and Dubai, UAE, until 2 August. The airline has added capacity on selected routes including London Gatwick and Melbourne.

 

Wizz Air

Hungarian low-cost carrier Wizz Air has extended restrictions on services from mainland Europe to Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the UAE, as well as Amman, Jordan, until mid-September. Services to Medina, Saudi Arabia, remain off the schedule until further notice.