Middle East flight suspensions: Major American and European airlines halt operations to Dubai airports
Heads up, travelers! The latest escalation between Israel and Iran has resulted in a wave of disruptions to flights servicing Dubai and Doha, two significant hubs in the region for long-haul travel.
American and European airlines are biting the bullet, pausing flights to Gulf destinations as regional tensions ratchet up and the US weighs potential involvement in attacks on Iranian nuclear sites.
Firms like American Airlines Group Inc., Finnair Oyj, and United Airlines Holdings Inc. have hit the brakes on Dubai flights, while American and Air France-KLM have pulled the plug on Doha. British Airways has called off routes to Bahrain, and Air Canada has grounded Dubai flights.
This is the first time in 20 months of regional unrest that the Middle East's busiest hubs have been hit by cancellations, with previous suspensions typically limited to Israel and nations along Iran's missile paths.
The decisions by airlines underscore growing jitters in a typically safe and sheltered part of the Middle East. Iran has threatened to strike US bases in the Arabian Gulf if Washington gets involved and shut down the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial oil waterway it borders with the UAE and Oman.
Dubai, home to Emirates, and Doha, where Qatar Airways resides, are vital global gateways, carrying the torch for flights between the US, Europe, and Asia.
Recent events have underscored the risks airlines take flying into volatile regions. An Azerbaijan Airlines passenger jet was hit by a likely Russian surface-to-air missile near Grozny in late 2024, crashing in Kazakhstan and claiming 38 lives. A decade ago, Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 was shot down over Ukraine by a Russian missile, taking 298 lives.
In addition to the flight cancellations, the US embassy in Qatar issued a warning to US citizens in the country and its staff, advising them to exercise increased vigilance. American Airlines responded by suspending its Philadelphia to Doha flight until June 22 and promising to closely monitor the situation for further actions.
Additionally:- British Airways canceled some Dubai flights this week and ended Bahrain routes for the rest of the month due to operational constraints and airspace restrictions.- Emirates suspended flights to multiple Middle Eastern cities (Amman, Beirut, Tehran, Baghdad, and Basra) indicative of broader regional flight suspensions affecting Dubai operations indirectly.- Singapore Airlines canceled two Dubai flights and issued a warning about future potential disruptions.- United Airlines suspended all flights to Dubai due to safety concerns.- Air Canada canceled flights between Toronto and Dubai until at least July 3.
As tensions persist, travelers can expect continued changes to flight schedules in this volatile region. Stay tuned for updates as the situation further unfolds.
News of increased regional tensions between Israel and Iran has led to business decisions by American and European airlines, causing disruptions to sports and travel. Consequently, American Airlines Group Inc., Finnair Oyj, United Airlines Holdings Inc., Air France-KLM, British Airways, and Air Canada have paused or canceled flights to Gulf destinations such as Dubai and Doha.
