Airlines cancel flights amid Mideast conflict

DUBAI: Global air travel continues to face major disruption as airlines suspend and reduce services across the Middle East following the Iran war, which has led to the closure and partial reopening of key regional hubs including Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi.

According to the Reuters, several international carriers have cancelled or delayed flights to major destinations such as Tel Aviv, Beirut and Riyadh, leaving thousands of passengers stranded or forced to change travel plans.

Greece’s Aegean Airlines has suspended flights to multiple Middle Eastern cities, while Latvia’s airBaltic and Canada’s Air Canada have halted services to Tel Aviv and Dubai for extended periods.

Major European carriers, including Air France-KLM and Lufthansa Group, have also suspended or reduced flights across the region, citing safety concerns and airspace restrictions. Budget airlines and regional operators have followed suit, cancelling routes to several Gulf and conflict-affected destinations.

Asian airlines such as Cathay Pacific and Japan Airlines have also paused or adjusted Middle East operations, while increasing capacity on European routes to meet rising demand.

Meanwhile, Gulf carriers including Emirates and Qatar Airways are operating limited or gradually expanding schedules as regional airspace conditions improve.

The widespread cancellations highlight the ongoing impact of the conflict on global aviation, with airlines continuing to reroute flights, suspend services, and adjust schedules as the situation evolves.