Lufthansa extends Middle East flight suspensions amid escalating conflict

Yesterday 13:50

By: Dakir Madiha

Lufthansa extends Middle East flight suspensions amid escalating conflict

Deutsche Lufthansa has extended the suspension of several routes to the Middle East as the conflict involving Iran enters its fourth week with no clear signs of de escalation. The airline said flights to Dubai and Tel Aviv will remain suspended until May 31, while services to Abu Dhabi, Beirut, and Tehran are halted until October 24.

The move represents one of the most significant schedule reductions by a European carrier since the conflict began on February 28, when US and Israeli forces launched strikes on Iran. Lufthansa cited ongoing security concerns and instability in regional airspace as key reasons for the decision.

Other major European airlines have taken similar steps. International Airlines Group, the parent company of British Airways, confirmed that flights to Amman, Bahrain, Dubai, and Tel Aviv will remain cancelled until the end of May. Routes to Doha are suspended until April 30, while flights to Abu Dhabi are halted through the end of the year.

Air France has extended cancellations to Dubai and Riyadh until March 31, and to Tel Aviv and Beirut until April 4. KLM has gone further, cancelling all services to Dubai, Riyadh, and Dammam until May 17. Airlines have offered affected passengers the option to rebook or receive full refunds.

The disruption extends beyond major carriers. Low cost airline Wizz Air, which expanded operations in the Gulf through its Abu Dhabi unit, has suspended flights from Budapest to Dubai and Abu Dhabi until late September. Routes to Amman and Jeddah are also affected. The company said earlier this month that the conflict could increase its annual costs by around 50 million euros.

Regional carriers are also adjusting operations. Latvia’s airBaltic has cancelled all flights to Dubai until October 24, one of the longest suspensions announced by a European airline, while services to Tel Aviv remain suspended until April 29. Aegean Airlines has halted flights to Baghdad and Erbil until May 24 and to Dubai until April 19. Finnair has suspended flights to Doha until July 2.

The wave of cancellations is forcing airlines to reallocate capacity to other regions. Air France has increased flights to destinations such as Bangkok, Singapore, and Delhi to offset losses in Middle Eastern routes.

Insurance conditions have also shifted. Large parts of the region’s airspace have been classified as high risk, leading to higher premiums for travel and aviation coverage. At the same time, rerouted flights through hubs such as Athens, Istanbul, and Cairo are adding between three and five hours to typical journey times.

The extended suspensions reflect ongoing uncertainty in the region and the operational challenges facing airlines as they navigate safety concerns, higher costs, and shifting demand.