Lufthansa and Air France Keep Middle East Flight Cuts in Place as Security Risks Stay High

Major airlines are continuing to reduce flights across the Middle East and Gulf as the war involving the US, Israel and Iran enters its fourth week.

The conflict is still affecting aviation through security concerns, restricted airspace, and the risk of sudden operational changes. Because of that, many carriers are keeping suspensions in place instead of returning to normal schedules.

Lufthansa and Air France have extended key suspensions

Lufthansa Group has announced one of the strongest responses so far. Flights to Abu Dhabi, Amman, Beirut, Dammam, Riyadh, Erbil, Muscat, and Tehran are suspended until October 24. Flights to Dubai and Tel Aviv are suspended until May 31, while Lufthansa Cargo’s Tel Aviv suspension runs until April 30.

Eurowings, which is part of Lufthansa Group, has also extended several route suspensions. It will not fly to Tel Aviv, Beirut, and Erbil until April 30, and to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Amman until October 24.

Air France has also extended suspensions. Flights to and from Dubai and Riyadh are suspended until March 31 inclusive, while Tel Aviv and Beirut remain suspended until April 4 inclusive. The airline said it is monitoring the situation closely, but current security conditions and airspace closures still do not allow normal operations.

Other airlines are also flying less or changing schedules

Many other carriers are making similar moves. KLM is avoiding the airspace of Iran, Iraq, Israel, and parts of the Gulf region. Its Tel Aviv flights are suspended until April 11, while Dubai, Dammam, and Riyadh remain suspended until May 17. British Airways has also extended cancellations, including Dubai and Tel Aviv until May 31 and Doha until April 30.

Cathay Pacific has suspended Dubai and Riyadh until May 31. Emirates, Etihad Airways, and Air Arabia are flying reduced schedules, while Qatar Airways is operating a revised limited network until March 28. Wizz Air, Air Canada, Oman Air, Turkish Airlines, Philippine Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Garuda Indonesia, and Gulf Air have also announced temporary cuts or adjusted operations.

The war is also raising new questions

This crisis has raised a broader question beyond flight schedules and route suspensions: how safe it is to fly when a regional war is affecting airspace, airline operations, and security decisions

Photo by Dennis Gecaj on Unsplash