Middle East Conflict Leads to Flight Cancellations by Airlines

• Lufthansa Group, Air France-KLM, and British Airways have suspended most Middle East flights until May-October, with BA permanently dropping Jeddah and reducing Dubai, Doha, Tel Aviv, and Riyadh to single daily services
• Asian carriers including Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, and Qantas are compensating by adding flights to European destinations (London, Paris, Rome) to meet surge in demand for rerouted travel
• Regional carriers El Al and Qatar Airways are expanding operations, with El Al flying to 40 destinations from April 27 and Qatar Airways planning over 150 destinations by June 16

Middle East Conflict Disrupts Global Air Travel

Summary:

Ongoing Middle East tensions have forced major airlines worldwide to cancel or suspend flights to the region, with disruptions extending through late 2026. While Gulf carriers are gradually restoring capacity, European and Asian airlines continue widespread flight cancellations and route diversions.

Key Developments:

Multiple carriers have suspended Tel Aviv services until May-June, including Aegean Airlines (partial resumption April 28), Air France (until May 10), Lufthansa Group (until May 31), and Delta (extending through November 30). Some airlines are canceling Dubai routes, with Air Canada suspending service until September 7 and airBaltic until October 24.

British Airways is permanently dropping Jeddah as a destination and reducing Middle East frequencies starting July 1, cutting Dubai, Doha, and Tel Aviv to one daily flight. Lufthansa Group has suspended flights to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, and multiple regional cities until October 24.

Regional Carriers:

Gulf airlines show resilience, with El Al expanding to 40 destinations from April 27, Qatar Airways resuming Damascus flights May 1 and expanding to 150+ destinations by June 16. Emirates and Etihad continue operating reduced schedules.

Market Implications:

Airlines are redirecting capacity to high-demand European routes. Cathay Pacific added London, Paris, and Zurich frequencies in April. Qantas increased Paris service to five weekly flights, while Singapore Airlines boosted London and Melbourne routes through October 24.

The disruptions highlight sustained geopolitical risk affecting aviation, particularly impacting connectivity between Europe and Asia, forcing longer routing and reduced Middle East hub utilization through at least Q3 2026.