Middle East flights: Air France suspends routes to Riyadh, Dubai and Beirut

ts Due to Regional Security Poinews.com – Major Middle East flights have been temporarily suspended by Air France as the French carrier responds to

Air France Suspends Key Middle East Flights Due to Regional Security

Poinews.com – Major Middle East flights have been temporarily suspended by Air France as the French carrier responds to evolving security conditions across the region. The airline announced on July 20 that it would pause services to three important destinations: Riyadh, Dubai, and Beirut. This strategic decision reflects the company’s commitment to passenger safety while monitoring airspace restrictions that could affect operations throughout the Middle East.

The suspension timeline varies by destination, with Riyadh flights halted through July 24 and Dubai services remaining suspended until July 27. Beirut connections face the longest disruption, with Air France extending its pause through August 2. Company officials stated that these Middle East flights will resume based on continuous assessment of ground conditions, which remain unpredictable in the current geopolitical climate.

“The company constantly monitors the evolving geopolitical situation in the territories served and overflown by its aircraft in order to ensure the highest level of flight safety and security.”

Regulatory Guidance Shapes Route Decisions

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency issued updated recommendations on July 14 regarding airspace usage across the Middle East. The Conflict Zone Information Bulletin advises airlines to avoid airspace covering Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and the Gulf of Oman. This crucial guidance remains valid through July 29 and directly influences which Middle East flights can operate safely during this period.

Industry-Wide Adjustments Continue

Multiple carriers have adopted similar approaches to their Middle East operations, with many targeting late October for full resumption. The aviation sector’s northern winter schedule transition provides a natural framework for these decisions, with October 24 and 25 emerging as popular restart dates across the industry.

KLM has restructured its timetable to accommodate regional developments. The Dutch airline currently avoids airspace over Iran, Iraq, Israel, and several Gulf nations. Saudi Arabian routes to Dammam and Riyadh remain suspended through August 23, while Dubai services face comparable restrictions. Beirut connections may experience additional disruptions until August 16.

Greece’s Aegean Airlines has extended its Dubai suspension until August 31, with Erbil and Baghdad services paused through September 30. Singapore Airlines initially planned to resume Dubai operations on August 2 but has now prolonged this until October 24. Its budget subsidiary, Scoot, confirmed that Jeddah cancellations will continue through August 8.

Philippine Airlines successfully restarted its Manila-Doha connection on July 1, though Dubai routes remain suspended until October 2. British Airways has postponed several Middle East flight resumption dates, with Dubai, Tel Aviv, Bahrain, and Amman services halted until October 25. Doha connections resume on August 1, while Riyadh flights begin on August 8.

Air Canada continues to cancel both Dubai and Tel Aviv flights through October 24. Cathay Pacific will restart Dubai passenger services on October 25 and Riyadh on October 26, moving from its original September 1 schedule. Latvian carrier airBaltic has suspended Dubai flights until October 24.

The Lufthansa Group maintains a reduced network across the Middle East. SWISS delayed its Tel Aviv resumption until August, while Brussels Airlines paused those services until October 24. Both carriers keep Dubai flights suspended through September 13. Across the entire group, connections to Abu Dhabi, Amman, Beirut, Dammam, Erbil, Muscat, Riyadh, and Tehran remain halted until October 24.