Flight operations across the Gulf are facing delays as airlines and aviation authorities continue monitoring regional security developments, with some aircraft experiencing extended ground holds while awaiting operational clearance. Some international airlines have also extended the resumption of flights to the region.
The delays come amid heightened regional tensions, prompting international aviation bodies to issue renewed warnings to airlines operating in parts of the Gulf region. The US launched strikes against Iran for the third consecutive night on July 14, with hostilities reigniting last week.
Tehran said it had again closed the crucial Strait of Hormuz, fraying an already fragile truce reached in June after several months of fighting that has killed thousands.
Airlines have advised passengers to check updated flight information before travelling to airports, as schedules may be adjusted depending on operational requirements and security assessments.
European aviation safety agency advised airlines to avoid Gulf airspace
Europe’s aviation safety agency has advised airlines to avoid the airspace of the Gulf countries including Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait until July 29 as US-Iran tensions continue to escalate.
Saudi Arabia has updated travel guidance after flights from Abha to Dubai and Sharjah were cancelled for a second consecutive day following a Houthi attack near Abha Airport. The disruption comes as Canada, the UK and the US have also tightened travel advice for parts of the Kingdom, urging travellers to monitor official updates before flying.
Singapore Airlines and Scoot
Singapore Airlines (SIA) has extended the cancellation of its flights between Singapore and Dubai to Oct 24, while its budget arm Scoot has cancelled its flights between Singapore and Jeddah until July 27. SIA’s flights had previously been cancelled until August 2.
British Airways
British Airways has delayed its phased return to the Middle East, originally set to resume on July 1. Under the revised schedule, flights to Dubai, Tel Aviv, Bahrain and Amman will remain suspended until October 25.
The carrier is also reducing frequencies on other Middle East routes. Flights to Doha will operate once daily instead of twice daily from August 1, while services to Riyadh will be reduced from two daily flights to one daily flight from August 8. The airline has permanently suspended flights to Jeddah.
Turkish Airlines
Turkish Airlines has resumed flights to Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Damascus, Beirut and Amman as the carrier continues to restore services across parts of the Middle East.
The airline also announced that it had increased its Dubai frequency from seven weekly flights to 14 weekly flights from June 25. But flights to Iran remain suspended. The airline also cautioned of further disruptions due to the latest escalations.
Air France
Air France has suspended its Beirut flights until July 20. It resumed its flights to Dubai on July 8, to Riyadh on June 6 and to Tel Aviv on July 3.
KLM
KLM has adjusted its flight schedule across the Middle East and continues to avoid flying through the airspace of Iran, Iraq and Israel, as well as parts of the Arabian Gulf. Flights to and from Riyadh, Dammam and Dubai are suspended until August 9.
Lufthansa
While Austrian Airlines, Lufthansa and Swiss have resumed operations to Tel Aviv, Brussels Airlines flights to Tel Aviv remain suspended. Lufthansa and Swiss flights to Dubai also remain suspended until September 13.
Meanwhile, services of Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian Airlines and Brussels Airlines to Abu Dhabi, Amman, Beirut, Dammam, Riyadh, Erbil, Muscat and Tehran are on hold until October 24.
Finnair
Finnair is not flying through the airspace over Iraq, Iran, Syria and Israel, and has also extended its suspension of flights to and from Doha and Dubai until October 2.
AIRBALTIC
Flights to Dubai are cancelled until October 24.
United Airlines
United Airlines is operating limited services in the region, with flights to Dubai affected by ongoing disruption. Services to Tel Aviv remain suspended, with the airline extending its pause on the route until at least September.
Air Canada
Air Canada has cancelled flights to Tel Aviv and Dubai until October 24.
Cathay Pacific
The Hong Kong carrier has extended its suspension of flights to and from Dubai and Riyadh until August 31.
Philippine Airlines
Philippine Airlines flights from Manila to Doha have resumed, but flights to Dubai are suspended until October 2.
Cebu Pacific
Cebu Pacific has resumed its Dubai operations from Manila. operating four times a week on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.
AIRLINES IN THE GULF
Etihad Airways
The UAE’s national airline recently said it is bracing for its ‘biggest summer’ yet and is now operating more than 300 flights a day.
Etihad said summer capacity is up 10 per cent compared to the same period last year, while flights are operating at load factors of close to 90 per cent. The airline had been operating at about 85 per cent of capacity in early June, is expected to pass pre-war levels by June.
Emirates
Emirates is now operating flights to 137 destinations across 72 countries, covering Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas, as it continues to rebuild its global network.
Flydubai
Flydubai has been ramping up its operations from Dubai. The airline has advised travellers to arrive at least four hours before departure. Passengers can also use self-service kiosks at Terminal 2 to speed up the check-in process, while the flydubai app provides real-time flight notifications, including gate changes and boarding alerts.
Air Arabia
Air Arabia has ramped up its operations over the past month, with flights operating from its three UAE hubs in Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah.
Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways is expanding its network for the busy summer travel season, adding new routes and increasing frequencies across its international network. The airline said the updated schedule, which runs until September 15, will see it operate flights to more than 160 destinations from its Doha hub.
Oman Air
Oman Air says most of its flights are operating, although some routes continue to be affected by regional airspace restrictions.
SalamAir
Low-cost Omani airline SalamAir said some of its flights may be subject to change due to ongoing regional developments and airspace restrictions. Flights to Kuwait are suspended until July 17, while flights to and from Iran are suspended until August 31, and flights to and from Azerbaijan are suspended until October 24. Flights to Beirut are suspended until further notice.
Gulf Air
Gulf Air has already resumed services to cities including London, Dubai, Istanbul and Riyadh, with additional routes rolling out in phases through May and June, to destinations across Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
Saudia
Saudia has partially resumed flight operations to and from Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Amman, operating limited number of daily services. The airline said the schedule would include flights between Jeddah and Dubai and between Abu Dhabi and Amman, and that return services would also operate on the same routes.
Flynas
Saudi Arabia’s low-cost airline flynas is ramping up operations. It recently announced it is resuming flights between Jeddah and Damascus, as well as flights between Riyadh and Damascus. Direct flights between Riyadh and the Maldives also resumed.
Kuwait Airways
Kuwait Airways has been ramping up its schedule, with services operating again to destinations including London, Istanbul, Beirut, Cairo, Riyadh, Jeddah, Mumbai, Delhi, Colombo, Manila and Guangzhou.
