Travelling to Middle East? Here’s what UAE flyers need to know
Emirates Suspends Tehran Flights as airlines adjust schedules
DUBAI: Air travel across the Middle East remains unpredictable following the recent 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel, which ended in a US-brokered ceasefire late June.
While hostilities have ceased, safety concerns and airspace restrictions continue to impact operations of several international airlines, including the UAE’s flagship carrier, Emirates.
The Dubai-based airline has confirmed the suspension of all flights to and from Tehran until 17 July. The decision comes after a 20-day suspension at Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Airport, which only reopened on 4 July. The airline has not issued further updates for other affected destinations but continues to monitor the situation.
Meanwhile, Air Arabia – another UAE-based carrier – has resumed services to Damascus starting 10 July, marking a cautious return to some regional routes.
Cancelled flights
The broader airline landscape remains dynamic. British Airways and Iberia Express, both under IAG, have halted services to Tel Aviv until 31 July and 25 October, respectively. Meanwhile, KLM and Lufthansa have extended Tel Aviv flight cancellations through 30 August and 31 July. Lufthansa has also paused flights to Tehran until 17 August, and Amman flights are cancelled through 11 July.
Finnair has opted for earlier departures on Doha flights from 10 July to 2 September, while avoiding airspace over Iraq, Iran, Syria, and Israel. Qatar Airways continues its suspension of Iran-bound flights.
In North America, United Airlines will resume Tel Aviv services from 21 July, while Air Canada has paused its Toronto–Dubai route until 4 August and delayed the Israel route until 8 September.
Longer suspensions
Low-cost carriers like Wizz Air have set 8 August for resuming Tel Aviv flights, with Amman services suspended until 15 September. Ryanair has cancelled all flights to Tel Aviv and Amman through 25 October.
Elsewhere, Delta Air Lines warns of continued travel impacts via Tel Aviv through 31 August. ITA Airways, Air Europa, and airBaltic have also issued phased resumptions or extensions of suspensions through August and beyond.
Cautious resumptions
Aegean Airlines is gradually restoring Middle East operations, with Beirut flights restarting 10 July, Erbil from 16 July, and Amman on 19 July, while Tel Aviv remains off the schedule until 8 September.
Travellers from the UAE are advised to check the latest airline advisories before planning trips to the region.