Kamal Ghorui
Given the ongoing regional conflict involving Iran, there has been a widespread disruption across global aviation. It has forced airlines across the globe to suspend or cancel flights to major Middle Eastern aviation hubs including Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi and Riyadh. Airports across the Middle East, including Dubai International Airport, Al Maktoum International Airport, and Hamad International Airport, have been experiencing significant operational challenges due to which airlines had to adjust routes.Airport Advisories Dubai Airports have confirmed that flight operations resumed after a temporary shutdown. However, travellers are warned only to come to the airport only if they have confirmed tickets as schedules remain unstable. On the other hand, Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar also faced disruptions after airspace closures. It is a fact that airspace restriction prompted many countries including the UAE, Qatar, Iraq and Israel to put a temporary airspace closure. On this note, let’s have a look at all the airlines that have officially cancelled or suspended flights to prime Middle East destinations until the end of this month.British Airways
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British Airways has made the most extensive cancellations across the Middle East. The airline confirmed that all flights to and from Amman, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai and Tel Aviv have been cancelled until later this month. The advisory also said that the flights between the United Kingdom and Abu Dhabi may not resume until later this year. European Airlines
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Aegean Airlines: Aegean Airlines has announced cancellations of Dubai and Abu Dhabi flights until 19 March. Suspended services to Riyadh until 14 March and to other Middle East destinations including Beirut and Baghdad until 25 March.airBaltic: All flights cancelled to and from Dubai until 16 March. A scheduled Dubai–Riga flight on 17 March also remains cancelled.Air France: Air France has suspended flights to Dubai and Riyadh until 12 March. Services to Tel Aviv and Beirut were also cancelled until 13 March.KLM: KLM has also cancelled flights to Dubai until 28 MarchAIR EUROPA: The Spanish airline has suspended all flights to Tel Aviv until March 20.Finnair: Finnair has suspended flights to both Dubai and Doha until 29 March.LOT Polish Airlines: All flights to Dubai suspended until 28 March and Riyadh until 16 March.ITA Airways: Flights suspended to Dubai until mid-March.Pegasus Airlines: All flights to Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah remain cancelled until 23 March.Asian and North American airlinesCathay Pacific: Cathay Pacific has cancelled all flights to and from Dubai and Riyadh until 31 March.Air Canada: Air Canada has suspended flights to Dubai until 28 March.Japan Airlines: Japan Airlines has suspended its Tokyo–Doha service till 21 March.Air Canada: Air Canada has also suspended flights to and from Dubai until 28 March.Malaysia Airlines: Malaysia Airlines flights remain suspended all flights to and from Doha until 13 March.Lufthansa Group
The Lufthansa airlines including Austrian Airlines, Swiss International Air Lines, and Brussels Airlines have also cancelled several important Middle East routes. Flights to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Dammam have been stopped until mid-March. Airlines have also cancelled flights for Tehran until April and Beirut until late March.Uncertainty for travellersThe aviation crisis has disrupted travellers from across the globe prompting thousands of cancellations worldwide. Travellers planning to fly to or through Gulf hubs such as Dubai or Doha are urged to keep checking airline notifications before departing.
