Budget airline halts all Dubai flights until Feb 12 as European carriers adjust Middle East routes
Passengers offered refunds, rebooking and free destination changes
DUBAI – One of Europe’s most popular budget airlines has cancelled further flights to Dubai, extending disruption on key Gulf routes and affecting passengers travelling between the Netherlands and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Dutch low-cost carrier Transavia confirmed that all services to and from Dubai International Airport are suspended until Thursday, February 12.
The airline, a subsidiary of KLM and part of the Air France-KLM Group, said the decision follows updated safety advisories and airspace restrictions across parts of the Middle East. Travellers booked on affected flights are being notified directly and offered multiple rebooking and refund options.
Dubai route suspension
Transavia said it is avoiding airspace over Iran, Iraq, Israel and certain other Gulf states as a precaution, making current Dubai operations unworkable. The carrier operates primarily from its hub at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, alongside other Dutch bases and three bases in France.
In its latest update issued on Tuesday, February 10, the airline stressed that operational safety is driving the decision. Flights were initially expected to resume on February 11, but the suspension has now been extended through February 12.
Transavia’s statement
In an official notice, Transavia said: “Due to the geopolitical situation in Iran, Iraq, and Israel, we are not flying over the airspace of these countries and some other Gulf states as a precaution. All flights to/from Dubai are therefore cancelled until Thursday 12 February.”
The airline added that it is continuously monitoring safety advice and will restart flights within 48 hours if conditions improve. It also noted that Dubai itself remains safe, but route airspace constraints and limited airport slots prevent operations at present. “The safety of our passengers and crew is always our top priority,” the statement said.
Passengers whose flights are cancelled are informed by SMS and email. Those who booked through travel agencies, Transavia Holidays or KLM are advised to contact their provider directly.
Options for passengers
Affected travellers can request a full refund or rebook for a later date. Transavia is also allowing free changes to another destination if the new flight is within 14 days of the original travel date. Customers booked on Dubai flights departing up to February 28 can rebook free of charge to later in the year or switch destinations, with fare differences applying in some cases.
The carrier said that if safety advisories remain unchanged, further cancellations may be announced with roughly 48 hours’ notice.
Wider disruption
The move follows other precautionary schedule changes by European airlines operating to Dubai. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines cancelled all Dubai flights on January 27 and 28. Air France briefly suspended its DXB service but resumed operations on January 24.