Airlines Gradually Restored Middle East Flights After Temporary Suspensions

Air France and KLM temporarily cancelled several Middle East flights last week amid rising geopolitical tensions. The airlines took precautionary action as regional security concerns intensified and airspace risks increased.

Flights Initially Cancelled Amid Rising Tensions

Air France initially froze services to selected Middle East destinations while monitoring safety developments. KLM also suspended flights to Tel Aviv, Dubai, Dammam, and Riyadh and avoided multiple regional airspaces.

Both airlines cited flight safety and security as the primary reasons for the cancellations. The suspensions followed strong rhetoric from US President Donald Trump regarding potential military action involving Iran.

Airspace over Iran, Iraq, Israel, and parts of the Gulf region was avoided as a precaution. Passengers affected by the cancellations were informed and offered rebooking, vouchers, or full refunds.

Several other airlines, including United Airlines, Air Canada, and Lufthansa Group, also reduced or suspended regional services. These actions reflected heightened uncertainty rather than confirmed operational threats.

Some Services Reopened Following Updated Safety Reviews

Following updated safety assessments, airlines began reopening selected routes. Air France confirmed it had resumed flights to Dubai after the temporary suspension.

KLM announced on January 26 that it would resume scheduled flights to Dammam and Riyadh from January 27. Options to restart services to Dubai and Tel Aviv were still under review at that time.

All passengers affected by earlier cancellations were successfully rebooked, according to the airline. Airlines continued to monitor the situation closely as conditions remained fluid. Carriers emphasised that schedules could change quickly depending on further developments in the region.