AMSTELVEEN- KLM (KL) will keep flights between Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) and Dubai International Airport (DXB) suspended through March 27, 2027. The airline has abandoned its planned autumn restart because of continuing security concerns in the Middle East.
Flights to Riyadh (RUH) and Dammam (DMM) in Saudi Arabia will also remain suspended through November 27, 2026. NL Times reported the extension, noting that all 3 destinations had been expected to resume service in October 2026.
KLM Extends Dubai Flight Suspension
KLM has not operated flights to Dubai since the beginning of 2026. The airline had planned to resume the route during autumn, but repeated postponements have pushed its return to March 2027. The latest decision extends the suspension across the 2026/2027 winter season.
The continuing conflict has made it difficult for airlines to establish reliable schedules for affected destinations.
KLM has adjusted its flight plans several times as the security situation has changed. Its latest decision provides passengers with a longer suspension period rather than another short-term postponement.
The airline has also considered how to use its aircraft during the disruption. A KLM spokesperson said the extended suspension would partly allow the company to deploy its fleet on other routes. This gives the airline greater flexibility while services to Dubai remain suspended.
According to KLM’s official Middle East travel advisory, flights between Amsterdam and Dubai will not operate up to and including March 27, 2027. The airline has set November 27, 2026, as the final day of the current suspension for Riyadh and Dammam.
Houthi Attacks Add to Regional Aviation Concerns
The flight suspensions come amid escalating hostilities involving Yemen’s Houthi movement and Saudi Arabia. The Houthis have claimed attacks on Saudi targets, including King Khalid International Airport (RUH) in Riyadh, raising further concerns about airport security and flight operations.
According to Reuters, Riyadh airport halted operations on October 10 after an attack claimed by the Houthis that killed 13 people. The airport partially reopened on Sunday, October 25, after approximately two weeks of disruption.
The reopening covered two terminals. Terminal 1 resumed domestic operations, while Terminal 2 handled international flights operated by Saudi carriers. However, the return of limited airport activity did not remove the security risks.
Saudi authorities reported intercepting additional missiles and drones as hostilities continued, and a Houthi military spokesperson warned that the airport remained a target.
Saudi Arabia supports Yemen’s internationally recognised government in its conflict with the Houthis.
The Saudi-led coalition intervened in Yemen’s civil war in 2015 after Houthi forces took control of the capital, Sanaa, in 2014. The renewed fighting has added to uncertainty for airlines assessing the safety of services across the region.
Riyadh and Dammam Flights Remain Suspended
KLM has extended cancellations for Riyadh and Dammam through November 27, 2026. The two Saudi destinations therefore have an earlier suspension deadline than Dubai, where cancellations continue through March 27, 2027.
The airline had expected to resume flights to all three destinations during October. The latest schedule removes that immediate prospect and means passengers travelling to Saudi Arabia will need to review alternative arrangements until the airline announces further changes.
The reopening of Riyadh airport does not automatically mean that KLM can restart its services. Individual airlines must assess operational conditions and security risks before restoring routes.
Passengers should therefore follow KLM’s published schedule rather than assume that airport operations have returned to normal.
European Airlines Also Delay Their Return to Dubai
KLM’s decision reflects wider disruption affecting European airlines. Several carriers have suspended Dubai services or delayed their planned return because of the unstable regional situation.
Lufthansa (LH) and other airlines in the Lufthansa Group have also postponed their return to Dubai. The group announced on October 23 that it would delay its planned resumption until November 25, 2026.
Lufthansa and SWISS had previously planned to restart services on October 25, while Eurowings had planned to resume on November 1. These services had been suspended since March.
The repeated delays have reduced travel options for passengers looking for direct flights to Dubai. Travellers seeking alternatives are often advised to check Emirates (EK), although available services depend on the travel date, departure city and route.
Passengers should confirm flight availability with the relevant airline before booking. A route that is operating on one date may have different availability on another, particularly while carriers continue to adjust their schedules.
What Passengers Should Know Before Travelling
Passengers holding tickets for cancelled KLM flights should check their booking status and review the airline’s rebooking or refund options.
KLM states that passengers affected by cancellations will be notified and directs them to its official travel alerts page for current information and assistance.
Travellers should verify the status of each flight in their itinerary, especially when their journey includes connecting services. They should also monitor airline announcements because the published suspension dates may change as security conditions develop.
KLM’s current schedule keeps Dubai services suspended into March 2027, while the Saudi route cancellations extend through November 2026. The timing of any return will depend on future security assessments and operational decisions.
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