Airlines extend Middle East flight suspensions amid escalating regional tensions

2026-03-18 - 13:30

DUBAI — International airlines have extended suspensions of flights to destinations across the Middle East as regional tensions continue to disrupt air travel, forcing carriers to revise schedules and limit operations on key routes.The latest extensions highlight the widening impact of the conflict on global aviation, with airlines citing security concerns, restricted airspace and ongoing operational uncertainty across major Middle East corridors.The disruptions have affected routes linking Europe, North America and Asia to key regional hubs, with some carriers suspending services entirely while others operate on a limited basis.European airlines account for a significant share of the suspensions. British Airways has halted flights to multiple regional destinations, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Amman, Bahrain and Tel Aviv, while Lufthansa, KLM, Eurowings and Swiss have also extended suspensions across several Middle East routes.U.S. carriers have similarly prolonged disruptions, with Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and United Airlines suspending flights to key destinations such as Tel Aviv, Dubai and other regional hubs.Turkish Airlines and other regional carriers have also scaled back operations, suspending flights to multiple countries across the Middle East, while Oman Air and SalamAir have halted several regional routes.Asian carriers, including Singapore Airlines, have extended suspensions to select destinations, while Gulf carriers Qatar Airways and Emirates continue to operate limited services.The prolonged disruptions come as heightened security risks continue to affect aviation, alongside broader impacts on energy markets, shipping routes and global investor sentiment.The escalation follows ongoing U.S.-Israeli military operations against Iran since Feb. 28, with Iran responding through drone and missile attacks targeting multiple countries across the region.