Emirates extends flight suspensions to five Middle Eastern destinations

Passengers advised to rebook or check flight status as suspensions continue

Emirates
Caption: UAE airline Emirates has extended suspension of flights to Jordan, Lebanon, Iran, and Iraq through late June due to regional tensions.
Source: Emirates


DUBAI: Emirates has extended the suspension of its services to five Middle Eastern destinations as geopolitical tensions continue to affect airspace and flight operations across the region.

The airline announced that flights to Amman (Jordan) and Beirut (Lebanon) will remain suspended until Sunday, 22 June 2025, while flights to Tehran (Iran), Baghdad, and Basra (Iraq) are now suspended through Monday, 30 June 2025.

Emirates has also confirmed that passengers transiting through Dubai International Airport to these destinations – including those connecting to flydubai services – will not be allowed to board their flights from the point of origin until further notice.

The airline is urging affected travellers to contact their travel agents for alternative arrangements or reach out to Emirates directly if the bookings were made through the airline. Passengers have been advised to regularly check the status of their flights via emirates.com for real-time updates.

Reaffirming its commitment to the safety of passengers, staff, and operations, Emirates stated that it continues to closely monitor the evolving regional situation and will provide timely updates. The airline has apologised for the inconvenience caused by the temporary measure.

Other UAE airlines also affected

Other major UAE-based carriers have implemented similar suspensions and rerouting of flights.

Etihad Airways, based in Abu Dhabi, has suspended services to Tel Aviv, Amman, and Beirut, with some cancellations extended through 16 June and under continued review. The airline has rerouted several flights and urged passengers to check for the latest travel advisories via etihad.com or its call centre.

flydubai, the low-cost carrier operating out of Dubai, has also suspended flights to Iran, Israel, Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria, among others. While some previously cancelled routes have resumed with alternate routings, passengers are encouraged to confirm their travel plans before departure.

Air Arabia, headquartered in Sharjah, has extended flight suspensions to and from ten countries, including Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Central Asian nations. The airline continues to coordinate with affected passengers for rebooking or refunds.

Airport operations continue

Despite the airspace restrictions, Dubai International Airport, Abu Dhabi International Airport, and Sharjah International Airport remain fully operational. While inbound flights are largely unaffected, outbound services to the suspended destinations face cancellations, delays, or significant detours.

Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi has warned that disruptions may continue beyond 15–16 June, depending on regional developments. Travellers are urged to arrive early and stay in contact with their airlines.

Global airline operations

Several global carriers have also adjusted their operations in response to the escalating situation.

Lufthansa has suspended flights to Tel Aviv and Tehran until July, while Delta Air Lines has halted its Israel routes through the end of June. Ryanair extended its suspension of Tel Aviv flights until August.

EU aviation authorities have labelled parts of Middle Eastern airspace as high-risk zones, prompting many airlines to reroute flights over longer but safer corridors.

As the regional situation continues to evolve, travellers are advised to remain flexible, regularly check for updates, and follow official airline advisories.