PARIS— Air France (AF) has suspended passenger services to Dubai (DXB) and Riyadh (RUH) and pushed back the resumption of its Beirut (BEY) flights, pointing to the unsettled operating conditions across the Middle East.
The carrier, based at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), had planned to restart regional operations on July 20 but has now delayed that return. Affected travelers are being contacted directly and can cancel or postpone their trips at no extra cost, even when their specific flight still shows as operating.
Air France Suspends Middle East Flights
Air France linked the fresh round of suspensions to the security picture in the Gulf, which the airline described as changing quickly. According to Gulf News, the carrier had scheduled a July 20 resumption of its Middle East network before conditions forced another delay.
The airline said any restart will depend on a local security assessment rather than a fixed calendar date. It confirmed that passenger and crew safety remains its leading concern while the situation develops.
Dubai Flights Suspended Until July 27
Flights to Dubai International Airport will stay suspended until July 27, 2026. Departures from Dubai will remain grounded one day longer, until July 28, 2026.
Riyadh Services Halted Temporarily
Air France flights between Paris and Riyadh will stay suspended until July 24, 2026. Return services departing from Riyadh will be affected until July 25, 2026.
Beirut Suspension Extended To August 2
Air France has also stretched its Beirut suspension. Flights to and from the Lebanese capital will now stay grounded until August 2, 2026.
Passengers Offered Free Changes
The airline said affected customers are being reached individually. Under its commercial measures, passengers can cancel or postpone travel without paying additional fees, even if their flight has not been formally cancelled.
Travelers who booked directly with Air France can adjust their plans through the My Bookings section. Those who booked through a travel agency should contact their original point of sale for rebooking or refund support.
Air France said it continues to track the geopolitical situation and airspace restrictions across the region. The carrier added that it is watching these conditions closely to keep its flight operations safe as the wider disruption plays out.
Which Airlines Have Suspended Flights to the Gulf?
International airlines are extending flight suspensions across the Middle East as tension between the United States and Iran escalates. Singapore Airlines (SQ) and British Airways (BA) are among the carriers that have pushed back their planned returns to key Gulf hubs.
The disruption is hitting major gateways including Dubai (DXB), Riyadh (RUH), and Doha (DOH), where several airlines had been preparing to restore full schedules. The US military carried out its 10th consecutive night of strikes against Iranian military targets on Monday, which it said were aimed at protecting commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
The aviation sector had been steadily recovering after large-scale closures that followed the start of the Iran war on February 28. That recovery has now stalled. Airlines are repositioning their operations as military escalation between the United States and Iran continues, forcing carriers to avoid sensitive airspace and delay their returns to the region.
Several airlines continue to route around the airspace of Iran, Iraq, and Israel, as well as parts of the Arabian Gulf. The result is a fresh wave of cancellations, reduced frequencies, and extended suspensions that stretch into late October and, in some cases, the winter season.
European Carriers Delay Their Returns
KLM (KL) has adjusted its schedule and continues to avoid Iranian, Iraqi, and Israeli airspace. Its flights to and from Riyadh, Dammam (DMM), and Dubai are suspended until August 23. The carrier said it cannot yet resume its regular regional schedule, with flights cancelled or adjusted based on operational conditions.
British Airways (BA) has delayed a phased return that was originally set for July 1. Flights to Dubai, Tel Aviv (TLV), Bahrain (BAH), and Amman (AMM) will now remain suspended until October 25. The airline is also cutting frequencies elsewhere. Doha service will drop to once daily from twice daily starting August 1, while Riyadh flights will fall from two daily to one daily from August 8. British Airways has permanently suspended flights to Jeddah (JED).
Finnair (AY) has extended its Helsinki (HEL) to Dubai suspension until October 24. Its Doha flights will stay suspended for the winter season for commercial reasons. The airline said, “Finnair customers who have bookings from October 3 to March 27, 2027, will be rerouted, mostly on Qatar Airways-operated flights on these routes.”
Lufthansa Group Keeps Multiple Routes On Hold
Lufthansa Group has suspended flights to several destinations. Austrian Airlines (OS), Lufthansa (LH), and Swiss (LX) have resumed operations to Tel Aviv, while Brussels Airlines (SN) flights to the city remain suspended.
Lufthansa and Swiss flights to Dubai are suspended until September 13. Services by Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian Airlines, and Brussels Airlines to Abu Dhabi (AUH), Amman, Beirut, Dammam, Riyadh, Erbil (EBL), Muscat (MCT), and Tehran (IKA) are on hold until October 24.
Asian Carriers Extend Suspensions
Singapore Airlines flights to Dubai were scheduled to resume on August 2, but the suspension now runs until October 24. The airline said, “As the situation remains fluid, other flights may be affected.” Affected customers will be reaccommodated on alternative flights or can request a full refund of the unused portion of their ticket.
Scoot (TR), the low-cost subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, has suspended its Singapore-Jeddah flights until August 8. Affected passengers may request a full refund or rebook on alternative Scoot flights.
Cathay Pacific (CX) has extended its Dubai suspension until October 24 and its Riyadh suspension until October 25. Both routes were earlier set to resume on September 1. The Hong Kong carrier said, “Affected travellers will be offered the flexibility to rebook, reroute or refund their tickets.”
Philippine Airlines (PR) has resumed Manila (MNL) to Doha flights, but its Dubai service is suspended until October 2. The airline said it will restore full capacity as conditions allow.
Turkish Airlines And Other Carriers Respond
Turkish Airlines (TK) has resumed flights to Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Damascus (DAM), Beirut, and Amman as it restores services across parts of the region. Flights to Iran remain suspended. The airline said, “Some of our flights to and from Iran and the surrounding region have been cancelled. The current situation in the region’s airspace is being monitored in real-time, and additional flight cancellations may occur.”
Air Canada (AC) has extended the suspension of its Tel Aviv and Dubai flights until October 24. Passengers are advised to check directly with the airline for rebooking and refund options.
Air Astana (KC) has suspended flights from Almaty (ALA) and Astana (NQZ) to Dubai until August 31, citing the deterioration of the situation in the Strait of Hormuz and the wider Gulf area. Affected passengers are entitled to a full refund, free rebooking to later dates, or rebooking to other international destinations operated by the airline.
What This Means For Travelers
Passengers booked on Middle East routes through October should expect further changes as airlines monitor the airspace in real time.
Most carriers are offering full refunds, free rebooking, or rerouting on partner airlines. Travelers are advised to confirm their flight status directly with their airline before heading to the airport.
Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.
Join us on Telegram Group for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on Google News
