Airlines Suspend Middle East Flights as Regional Security Risks Disrupt Air Travel

Airlines Suspend Middle East Flights as Regional Security Risks Disrupt Air Travel
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Global airlines have suspended, cancelled, or reduced flights to several Middle Eastern destinations, including Iraq, the Gulf, Lebanon, Iran, and Israel, as security risks from the Iran war continue to disrupt regional air travel.

Several international airlines have extended flight cancellations and route suspensions to Middle Eastern destinations amid continuing security concerns linked to the Iran war and wider regional tensions.

According to Reuters, Middle Eastern carriers have increased capacity after severe disruption, while airlines outside the Gulf are increasingly rerouting flights between Europe and Asia away from major hubs in the region. The affected destinations include Dubai, Baghdad, Erbil, Tel Aviv, Beirut, Doha, Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, Amman, Tehran, and other cities.

Greek carrier Aegean Airlines cancelled flights to Dubai until August 31 and to Erbil and Baghdad until July 2. Turkey’s Pegasus Airlines cancelled flights to Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Dammam, Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah until June 1.

Other affected carriers include Air Canada, British Airways, Finnair, Japan Airlines, LOT, Royal Air Maroc, Singapore Airlines, and Wizz Air, with suspensions or reduced services to destinations such as Tel Aviv, Dubai, Doha, Riyadh, Beirut, and Medina. British Airways delayed the resumption of flights to Dubai, Doha, and Tel Aviv until August 1 and plans to reduce Middle East services when flights restart.

In contrast, some airlines are adjusting capacity to meet demand on alternative routes. Qatar Airways is expanding its international network to more than 150 destinations from June 16, while Australia’s Qantas is adding services to European cities including Paris and Rome and increasing flights on the Perth-Singapore route.