European Airlines Extend Flight Suspensions to Middle East Amid Ongoing Conflict
Several European airlines have extended their suspension of flights to key Middle Eastern destinations as regional conflict persists. The disruptions come as the global travel and tourism industry increasingly feels the financial impact of the situation.
Flight Cancellations and Suspensions
British Airways announced it has cancelled all flights to Amman, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai, and Tel Aviv through 28 March 2026. Its seasonal winter service from London Heathrow to Abu Dhabi will not resume until October 2026. The airline continues to operate repatriation flights from Muscat, Oman, to London this week.
Virgin Atlantic has suspended its seasonal Heathrow-Dubai flights for the winter period ending in late March. The airline’s Riyadh flights are paused for two weeks, with a decision pending based on updated safety guidance.
Dutch carrier KLM cancelled Amsterdam Schiphol to Dubai flights until 28 March. Its sister airline, Air France, suspended flights from Paris to Dubai and Riyadh through 14 March and cancelled services to Tel Aviv and Beirut until 15 March.
The Lufthansa Group cancelled flights to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Dammam, Amman, and Erbil until 15 March. Services to Tel Aviv are suspended until 2 April. Flights to Beirut are halted through 28 March, and flights to Tehran remain cancelled until 30 April.
Financial Impact on Travel Industry
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) estimates the conflict costs the global travel sector at least $600 million daily in lost international visitor spending. WTTC highlights that the Middle East accounts for 5% of global international arrivals and 14% of global international transit traffic.
Gloria Guevara, WTTC president and CEO, stated that past crises suggest the travel industry can recover quickly once peace is restored. She noted security-related incidents often see tourism rebound in about two months when governments and industry collaborate to restore traveler confidence.
Impact on Connectivity and Flight Planning
Olivier Jankovec, director general of ACI Europe, said the conflict disrupts traffic forecasts for 2026 and creates uncertainty. He emphasized the importance of the Middle East, particularly Gulf states, for connectivity and passenger volumes at many European airports, affecting both direct flights and indirect connections to Asia-Pacific.
To adapt, Lufthansa Group plans increased short-notice long-haul flights to Asia and Africa in coming weeks. This includes extra flights from Munich to Singapore and Frankfurt to Cape Town. Austrian Airlines will operate additional flights from Vienna to Bangkok.
Outlook for Airfares
The corporate travel sector awaits to see how the crisis and volatile oil prices might affect airfares over the coming weeks and months. Airlines, travelers, and industry observers continue to monitor the situation closely as the conflict shapes travel patterns.
The ongoing flight suspensions and uncertainty reinforce the challenges airlines face in maintaining services amid geopolitical disruptions. The travel industry’s resilience remains under test as stakeholders prepare for a potential recovery once stability returns.
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