Several major European carriers have suspended flights to the Middle East and altered their flight paths to avoid airspace over the Gulf and Iran, citing escalating tensions between the United States and Iran that have raised fears of military escalation in the region.
Air France canceled flights between Paris and Dubai on Friday and Saturday, describing the suspension as a temporary measure “due to the current situation in the Middle East.” Similarly, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has halted flights to Dubai, Riyadh, Dammam, and Tel Aviv, stating that it is avoiding certain Gulf airspace, as well as Iranian, Iraqi, and Israeli airspace, as a precautionary measure.
The cancellations underscore how quickly geopolitical tensions can impact civilian aviation. The disruptions follow U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of a naval deployment to the region, which reignited concerns over potential military action against Iran amid the country’s violent crackdown on protesters.
Over the weekend, Luxair, British Airways, and Dutch low-cost carrier Transavia also canceled several flights to Dubai, according to Dubai International Airport data and flight-tracking platform FlightRadar24.
Deutsche Lufthansa AG announced it would suspend flights to Tehran until March 28, while operating limited daytime services to Tel Aviv and Amman, Jordan, until the end of the month. British Airways had earlier suspended flights to Bahrain, home to the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet.
European and U.S. airlines have previously curtailed Gulf operations in June 2025, after Iran launched missiles targeting a base in Qatar. The attacks forced Qatar and neighboring countries to temporarily close their airspace, causing widespread disruption for international carriers.
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