DUBAI— Air France (AF) has resumed flights to Dubai International Airport (DXB) after a disruption lasting about six months, restoring an important link between the French capital and the United Arab Emirates.
The airline has also restarted services to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as international carriers gradually rebuild their Middle East networks following months of airspace restrictions and security concerns.
The French flag carrier had suspended operations to Dubai and Riyadh amid the evolving security situation in the region. Air France confirmed that both routes would resume on August 26, while its Beirut services remain suspended until September 1, subject to further security assessments.
Air France Resumes Dubai Flights
Air France’s return provides additional international capacity at Dubai International Airport as the hub experiences a gradual recovery in passenger traffic.
The airline’s website lists flight AF655 from Dubai to Paris for departure at 12:40 a.m. on August 27, indicating that regular operations are being restored.
Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths confirmed that Air France had already returned to the airport and said demand on the restored service was particularly strong.
His comments come as DXB works to rebuild its international network after regional disruptions significantly reduced airline capacity during the first half of 2026.
The recovery remains uneven, however. Dubai International handled 31.5 million passengers during the first six months of 2026, representing a 31.3% decline from the same period a year earlier, while aircraft movements fell 32.1%.
Riyadh Services Return
Air France has simultaneously resumed flights involving King Khalid International Airport (RUH) in Riyadh. The airline had previously extended its suspension of Riyadh services through August 25 before scheduling departures to return from August 26.
The resumption restores another major connection between Europe and the Gulf, although Air France continues to keep its Beirut network suspended.
Flights to the Lebanese capital remain cancelled through September 1, with the airline notifying affected passengers individually.
Air France said the restart of operations remains dependent on local security conditions, which continue to evolve rapidly.
The carrier is monitoring developments across the Near and Middle East in real time and can adjust its schedule if operating conditions change.
DXB Network Recovers
Air France’s return forms part of a broader recovery at Dubai International, where airlines are gradually restoring capacity and connectivity.
Dubai Airports said passenger volumes increased each month during the second quarter, rising from 3.5 million in April to 5 million in June, Gulf News flagged.
Griffiths has also indicated that Dubai Airports is in discussions with several major international airlines that do not currently serve the hub.
He expects new-generation aircraft, including the Airbus A321XLR, to support the development of routes to smaller cities that may not generate sufficient demand for larger wide-body aircraft.
For Air France, the restoration of Dubai and Riyadh services marks another step toward normalising its Middle East network.
The continued suspension of Beirut flights, however, shows that airline schedules in the region remain closely tied to security assessments.
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