Live News Updates: Tuesday July 21, 2026 | Updates Desk, Delhi /Gulf flights suspended: Several International Airlines Suspend Flights to Gulf Countries. Due to the continuing war-like situation in the Gulf region, several international airlines have suspended flight operations to major Gulf destinations. Air France has announced the suspension of all flights to Dubai (UAE) and Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) citing growing security concerns.
Following a high-alert advisory issued by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), multiple foreign carriers have temporarily suspended services to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, and other Gulf nations.
The decision comes amid escalating military tensions between the United States and Iran, raising serious concerns over airspace safety across the Gulf region.
Passenger Advisory
Passengers affected by these cancellations are being offered full refunds, travel vouchers, or alternative rerouting options by their respective airlines. Travelers are advised to check the latest flight status before heading to the airport.
Gulf flights suspended Flight Status Update: Countries Most Affected
Gulf Nations Facing Maximum Disruptions
Flights to the following destinations have been impacted due to security threats and drone attack alerts:
- Dubai and Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates)
- Riyadh and Abha (Saudi Arabia)
- Kuwait
- Bahrain
- Qatar
Status of Local Gulf Airlines
Regional carriers such as Emirates, Etihad Airways, and flydubai continue operating most of their international networks. However, they have also cancelled selected flights to Kuwait and Abha Airport (Saudi Arabia) due to operational safety concerns.
Airline-Wise Suspension Updates
Lufthansa Group & SWISS (Germany & Switzerland)
All flights to Dubai, Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, Dammam, and Muscat have been suspended from September 13 to October 24, 2026.
KLM (Netherlands)
Flights from Amsterdam to Dubai, Riyadh, and Dammam have been cancelled until the last week of August 2026.
British Airways (United Kingdom)
Operations to Dubai, Bahrain, and Doha remain suspended because of regional security risks.
Singapore Airlines & Scoot
Singapore Airlines has suspended services to Dubai until October 24, 2026, while flights to Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) have been halted completely.
Air Canada
Flights from Canada to Dubai and other Gulf destinations have been suspended until the last week of October 2026.
Air France
Air France has temporarily suspended operations to Dubai and Riyadh pending further security assessments.
Cathay Pacific (Hong Kong)
The airline has postponed flights to Dubai and Riyadh until the end of October 2026.
ITA Airways (Italy)
Operations to Riyadh and Dubai remain suspended due to security and operational challenges.
Why the Gulf Region Matters
- Around 10–15% of all global commercial flights pass through or operate within the Middle East/Gulf airspace on a typical day.
- Roughly 20–25% of long-haul international flights between Europe and Asia use Gulf-region air corridors.
- The Gulf’s major hub airports—Dubai (DXB), Doha (DOH), Abu Dhabi (AUH), Riyadh (RUH), and Jeddah (JED)—handle tens of millions of passengers annually and serve as key transit points connecting Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania.
The Gulf is one of the world’s most important aviation crossroads because it links:
- Europe ↔ Asia
- Europe ↔ Australia
- Africa ↔ Asia
- North America ↔ South Asia (many routes)
When conflicts affect Gulf airspace, airlines often reroute flights via:
- Egypt and the Red Sea
- Turkey
- Central Asia
- The Arabian Sea
These detours can add 1–4 hours to flight times, increase fuel costs, and disrupt airline schedules.
Global Aviation Impact: Approximately 10–15% of the world’s commercial flights operate through Middle Eastern airspace, while 20–25% of Europe–Asia long-haul flights depend on Gulf air corridors. Any disruption in the region can significantly affect global aviation, leading to longer routes, higher operating costs, and widespread flight cancellations.
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