Middle East Airspace Woes: Lufthansa Group Extends Dubai Flight Suspensions Amidst Ongoing Regional Tensions

International airlines are continuing to adjust their flight schedules for Middle East routes due to persistent airspace restrictions stemming from the ongoing conflict in the region. Amidst significant geopolitical uncertainty, carriers are adapting their operations as follows:

Lufthansa

While Lufthansa has resumed flights to Tel Aviv, its services to Dubai will remain suspended until March 27, 2027. This suspension also impacts flights operated by other Lufthansa Group airlines, including Swiss and Eurowings. Lufthansa stated, "Affected passengers will be contacted directly by their respective airlines and will be offered flexible rebooking options or a full refund."

Air France

Air France has recommenced regular flights to Tel Aviv and Beirut. However, flights to Dubai are suspended until November 11, and services to Riyadh are paused until December 12. The airline emphasized, “Affected customers are being contacted individually. Air France reiterates that the safety and security of its customers and crew are its absolute priority.”

ITA Airways

Italy's national carrier, ITA Airways, has suspended all flights to Riyadh until January 7, 2027, and flights to Dubai are suspended until January 30, 2027. Flights between Rome and Tel Aviv have resumed, albeit with reduced frequency.

British Airways

British Airways has resumed flights to Dubai but continues to suspend its services to Abu Dhabi. Flights to Riyadh are suspended until January 11, 2027, and flights to Bahrain will remain suspended until the end of March. The airline had previously resumed flights between London Heathrow and Dubai International Airport after an eight-month hiatus due to the Middle East conflict. Its Abu Dhabi services are not expected to resume until the winter 2027-2028 season.

KLM

KLM has modified its Middle East flight schedule, continuing to avoid the airspace of Iran and Iraq, as well as certain parts of the Arabian Gulf. The airline has restarted services to Tel Aviv, with flights making a stop in Larnaca, Cyprus, for crew overnight rest. KLM stated, “We always check the situation and adjust our flights to keep you safe and give you the best options.” Flights to and from Riyadh and Dammam are suspended until November 27, while flights to Dubai are paused until March 27 of next year. Passengers affected by cancellations can rebook their journeys or request a refund, depending on their ticket conditions.

Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines has extended the suspension of its Dubai services. Originally scheduled to resume on August 2, the suspension has been extended until February 28, 2027. The carrier noted on its website, “As the situation remains fluid, other flights may be affected.” Customers impacted by cancellations will be reaccommodated on alternative flights or can seek a full refund of the unused portion of their ticket.

Scoot

Scoot, the low-cost subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, has suspended its flights from Singapore to Jeddah until December 2. Affected customers can request a full refund or rebook on alternative Scoot flights.

AirBaltic

Flights operated by AirBaltic between Riga and Dubai remain suspended for the entire 2026/2027 winter season. The airline cited a comprehensive assessment of factors including the regional situation and potential operational restrictions. Passengers booked on affected flights will be offered alternative travel options, including rebooking to another AirBaltic destination, a refund, or a connection to Dubai via partner airlines.

Wizz Air

Wizz Air has cancelled all flights to and from Abu Dhabi and Dubai for the winter season, postponing the planned restart of these routes. The airline explained that extended regional airspace restrictions require significantly longer routings, making operations commercially unviable. Wizz Air also indicated that flights to and from Amman are affected by EU Aviation Safety Agency recommendations regarding conflict zones.

Air Canada

Air Canada has extended the suspension of its flights to Tel Aviv and Dubai until the end of March 2027. Passengers are advised to check directly with the airline for rebooking and refund options. The airline stressed, “Your safety is our top priority.”

Cathay Pacific

The Hong Kong-based carrier has extended its suspension of flights to Dubai and Riyadh until January 31, 2027. Affected travellers will be offered flexibility to rebook, reroute, or receive a refund. Cathay Pacific will continue to monitor the situation in the Middle East.

American Airlines

American Airlines has extended its travel alert for passengers flying to, through, or from Tel Aviv, with flexible booking options now covering travel into March 2027. For Doha, the existing alert covers travel scheduled between February 28, 2026, and January 6, 2027. Passengers must adhere to specific rebooking and refund conditions.

Delta Air Lines

Delta has extended the suspension of flights between Atlanta and Tel Aviv until December 18. The launch of flights between Boston and Tel Aviv has been delayed indefinitely, though services between New York-JFK and Tel Aviv resumed on September 6. Customers affected by the Atlanta suspension can rebook or request a refund.

Virgin Atlantic

Virgin Atlantic flights to Dubai remain suspended until October 2027. Tickets for the resumed service will be available later this year. The airline also offers Dubai holiday packages through Virgin Atlantic Holidays, flying with Emirates.

Finnair

Finnair has extended the suspension of its flights to Dubai and Doha until March 27, 2027. The airline cited the unstable security situation in the Middle East and the lack of clear signs of improvement.

Korean Air

Korean Air's regular service between Incheon and Dubai remains suspended with no set resumption date. The airline cited limited airspace capacity related to the conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran. A decision on resuming flights will be made after a comprehensive review of Dubai Airport's normalization and market demand recovery.