Major European carriers KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Air France have announced the suspension of several flights to key Middle Eastern destinations, citing escalating security concerns and regional airspace disruptions.
KLM confirmed it will suspend all flights to and from Dubai until March 28, following heightened tensions in the region. The airline said in a statement that it remains able to repatriate stranded passengers and is working to assist travelers affected by the cancellations.
Meanwhile, Air France announced it will extend the suspension of its flights to Dubai and Riyadh until March 14.
The airline also confirmed additional route suspensions affecting destinations in the eastern Mediterranean, stating that flights to Tel Aviv and Beirut will remain suspended until March 15 as the security situation continues to evolve.
The decisions come after two Iranian drones reportedly targeted an area near Dubai International Airport on Wednesday morning, raising concerns about aviation safety in one of the world’s busiest air travel hubs.
Dubai International Airport is widely regarded as the busiest airport globally for international passenger traffic, making any security threat in its vicinity a significant concern for global aviation operations.
Air travel across the Middle East has been heavily affected since the outbreak of hostilities in the region. Several countries, including Qatar, have partially or fully closed their airspace due to fears of missile or drone activity.
As a result, airlines worldwide have been forced to cancel, reroute, or reschedule thousands of flights, significantly disrupting international travel routes between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
In response to the growing crisis, British authorities have begun operating charter evacuation flights to repatriate citizens stranded across affected areas of the Middle East.
Officials estimate that around 300,000 British nationals are currently located in countries impacted by the regional conflict, prompting urgent efforts to organize safe travel corridors and return flights.
Follow the latest news on Google News
