Middle East: airports open but flights suspended

A large number of airlines are temporarily suspending their flights to the Middle East. At the same time, the authorities have assured us that the hubs at Doha, Abu Dhabi and Dubai are open again. However, major delays are to be expected. 
By Luc Citrinot -
Abu Dhabi, Doha and Dubai have reopened to international traffic but are experiencing delays (Photo: Abu Dhabi Airport - Luc Citrinot)

Against a backdrop of very high tensions in the Middle EastEven if a ceasefire could reduce the current pressure, several international and regional airlines have temporarily suspended their flights or set up alternative routes in order to guarantee passenger safety.

The launch of missiles by Iran at a US military base in Qatar on the night of 23 September led to the - very brief - closure of hubs in the region. For just over an hour, traffic was suspended on the Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai and Kuwait hubs.

Flights have now resumed, but significant delays are to be expected on some routes. While air services remain suspended to Iran, Israel and parts of Iraq, the Caucasus region and Syria.

Nevertheless, as a precaution, many airlines have decided to suspend their services for the next few days. We therefore recommend that you consult airline websites because the dates of resumption or extension of suspension can change rapidly.

Suspended flights

Here is the latest information on airlines flying to and from the Middle East.

  • Air France will resume flights to Beirut, Dubai and Riyadh on 25 June. Flights to Tel Aviv remain suspended until 14 July. KLM has suspended services to Dammam, Riyadh and Dubai until 29 June.

  • British Airways is today resuming its flights to Dubai and Doha.

  • Finnair confirms that it will suspend its flights to Doha until 30 June.

  • Lufthansaand Swiss, Austrian Airlines and ITA Airwayshave suspended their flights to Tel Aviv and Tehran until the end of June, or even the end of July on certain routes.

  • Singapore Airlines has cancelled its flights to Dubai until 25 June.

  • Air India suspended its operations via the Middle East, disrupting connections to Europe and North America.

  • Air Arabia, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Flydubai and Qatar Airways have suspended flights to Iran, Iraq, Syria, Israel and Qatar. On the other hand, these airlines have resumed their flights to Europe, but delays are to be expected.

Most airlines offer commercial flexibility policies. These allow passengers to change or postpone their journeys at no extra cost. They also mean longer flight times, due to the detours required around closed areas.

Passengers are also invited to allow for longer connection times for transit journeys.

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