European airlines are once again suspending flights to the Middle East.
The escalation of the conflict with Iran has prompted Air France, KLM, Lufthansa and British Airways to announce further cancellations and delay their return to Middle Eastern markets. The changes particularly affect Dubai, Riyadh, Beirut and other important business travel destinations.
Air France and KLM are reviewing their flight schedules.
New security risks in the Middle East are once again changing European airlines’ plans. Air France has temporarily suspended services between Paris and Riyadh and Dubai, while extending its suspension of flights to Beirut until early August. The return of services will depend on safety assessments and airspace availability.
KLM has gone a step further. Flights from Amsterdam to Dubai, Riyadh and Dammam were suspended through 6 September. The company is thereby avoiding the airspace of Iran, Iraq and Israel, as well as parts of the Gulf.
Lufthansa and British Airways postpone return
The Lufthansa Group maintains a long-term cautious outlook. Numerous routes to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Beirut, Dammam, Riyadh, Erbil, Muscat and Tehran will not return before the start of the winter schedule at the end of October. However, some traffic to Tel Aviv is gradually being resumed, indicating that carriers are assessing the risk for each destination and corridor individually.
A similar approach is being adopted by British Airways, which has postponed the return on several routes from London. At the same time, it is reducing the number of flights to Doha and Riyadh, thereby maintaining its market presence while limiting operational exposure.
Business travel requires more flexibility
Schedule changes are also accompanied by stricter government recommendations. Australia has raised its travel advisory to Jordan, Oman, and Saudi Arabia to level three, recommending reconsideration of travel necessity. British authorities warn that the situation in the region can change without notice.
For TMCs and corporate travel managers, this means more than just monitoring cancelled flights. It requires checking transit points, insurance conditions and alternative routes before issuing tickets. Return flight dates remain open despite return estimates and will depend on the assessment of the situation unfolding in the Middle East.
