Air France Suspends Flights to Middle East Amid Security Concerns
Date: July 21, 2026 | Time: 14:19 GMT+2
Air France has announced the suspension of flights to Riyadh, Dubai, and Beirut due to the escalating security situation in the Middle East. The decision comes in response to safety advisories regarding airspace restrictions affecting these regions.
In an official statement released on July 20, 2026, Air France highlighted its commitment to passenger safety, declaring that it is “monitoring the situation” in real-time across the Near and Middle East. The airline confirmed that flights to and from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, will remain suspended until July 24, while services to Dubai, UAE, are suspended through July 27. Flights to Beirut, Lebanon, have been extended until August 2.
“The resumption of operations will depend on ongoing assessments of the security situation,” Air France indicated. The airline emphasized its ongoing surveillance of the geopolitical climate surrounding its flight paths to ensure the highest levels of safety and security for travelers.
Broader Impact on Airlines
In its latest Conflict Zone Information Bulletin (CZIB) issued on July 14, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has advised airlines to avoid the airspace over Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and the UAE, as well as the Gulf of Oman, with the advisory remaining active until July 29.
Many airlines have already made arrangements in anticipation of prolonged disruptions. According to previous reports from Euronews Travel, multiple carriers plan to resume services around late October, aligning with the onset of the northern winter timetable.
Notable Adjustments by Other Airlines
KLM Airlines has proactively adjusted its flight schedules and is closely monitoring developments in the region. Currently, KLM flights are not operating through Iranian, Iraqi, or Israeli airspace, and routes to Riyadh and Dubai are suspended up to and including August 23. Additionally, some flights to Beirut may face disruptions until August 16.
Aegean Airlines, Greece’s largest carrier, has cancelled flights to Dubai until August 31 and suspended routes to Erbil and Baghdad until September 30.
Singapore Airlines has extended its flight suspension to Dubai until October 24, while its low-cost subsidiary, Scoot, has cancelled flights to and from Jeddah until August 8.
Philippine Airlines resumed services between Manila and Doha on July 1, but flights to Dubai remain suspended until October 2.
British Airways has delayed the resumption of several Middle Eastern routes, with flights to Dubai, Tel Aviv, Bahrain, and Amman suspended until October 25. However, services to Doha are scheduled to restart on August 1, followed by Riyadh on August 8.
Air Canada has also cancelled flights to and from Dubai and Tel Aviv until October 24, while Cathay Pacific will resume flights to Dubai on October 25 and Riyadh on October 26.
airBaltic, the Latvian flag carrier, has cancelled flights to Dubai until October 24, while the Lufthansa Group continues to operate a reduced network in the region. SWISS has postponed its flights to Tel Aviv until August, and Brussels Airlines has suspended its services to the same destination until October 24. Lufthansa and SWISS flights to Dubai remain suspended until September 13, and services to multiple locations, including Abu Dhabi and Riyadh, are suspended until October 24.
As the geopolitical landscape evolves, airlines worldwide continue to prioritize safety, adjusting flight schedules and routes in response to the ongoing situation. Travelers are advised to stay informed about flight statuses and consult their airlines directly for further updates.
