Air France extends Beirut suspension, halts Riyadh, Dubai routes

Air France has suspended flights to several Middle Eastern destinations, citing security concerns linked to the evolving situation in the region.

In a statement published on its website on July 20, the airline said it is “monitoring the situation” in the Near and Middle East “in real time” and has halted certain routes due to “restrictions that may affect certain airspaces”.

Flights to and from Riyadh in Saudi Arabia have been suspended until July 24 inclusive, while services to and from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates are halted until July 27. The airline has also extended the suspension of flights to and from Beirut until August 2 inclusive.

“The resumption of operations will remain subject to an assessment of the security situation on the ground, which is very fluid,” Air France said, as quoted by Euronews.

“The company constantly monitors the evolving geopolitical situation in the territories served and overflown by its aircraft in order to ensure the highest level of flight safety and security.”

The move comes as aviation authorities and airlines reassess risks across parts of the Middle East. In its latest Conflict Zone Information Bulletin issued on July 14, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) advised carriers to avoid the airspace of Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, as well as the Gulf of Oman. The advisory remains in effect until July 29.

Air France is among a growing number of international airlines adjusting schedules or suspending routes. Many carriers have tentatively set resumption dates for late October, aligning with the start of the aviation industry’s northern winter timetable.

KLM said it has revised its flight operations and is “closely monitoring developments” in the region. The Dutch carrier is currently avoiding the airspace of Iran, Iraq and Israel, as well as parts of the Gulf. Flights to and from Dammam and Riyadh are suspended until August 23 inclusive, along with services to Dubai. KLM also warned that some flights to, from or via Beirut “may be disrupted” until August 16.

Greece’s Aegean Airlines has cancelled flights to Dubai until August 31, and to Erbil and Baghdad until September 30.

Singapore Airlines has extended its suspension of flights to Dubai until October 24, having previously planned to resume operations on August 2. Its low-cost subsidiary Scoot has also cancelled flights to and from Jeddah until August 8.

Philippine Airlines resumed flights between Manila and Doha on July 1, but services between Manila and Dubai remain suspended until October 2.

British Airways has postponed the resumption of several Middle Eastern routes. Flights to Dubai, Tel Aviv, Bahrain and Amman are suspended until October 25, while services to Doha are scheduled to resume on August 1 and to Riyadh on August 8.

Air Canada continues to cancel flights to and from Dubai and Tel Aviv until October 24 inclusive.

Cathay Pacific said passenger services to Dubai will resume on October 25 and to Riyadh on October 26, later than its previously planned restart date of September 1.

Latvian carrier airBaltic has cancelled flights to Dubai until October 24.

The Lufthansa Group continues to operate a reduced schedule across the region. SWISS has postponed the resumption of flights to Tel Aviv until August, while Brussels Airlines has suspended its Tel Aviv services until October 24. Lufthansa and SWISS flights to Dubai remain suspended until September 13. Across the group, flights to Abu Dhabi, Amman, Beirut, Dammam, Erbil, Muscat, Riyadh and Tehran are suspended until October 24.

By Tamilla Hasanova