Key Points
- Lufthansa suspends Middle East flights until late April, some routes till October
- Cathay Pacific extends Dubai and Riyadh cancellations until May 31
- Dubai and Tel Aviv routes halted amid rising regional tensions
- Airlines add more Europe flights as travelers avoid Middle East hubs
- Hong Kong issues “severe” travel warning for Iran and Israel
FRANKFURT, Germany: Major international carriers Lufthansa and Cathay Pacific have extended the suspension of multiple flights to the Middle East, citing ongoing instability and heightened security risks linked to the escalating regional conflict.
Germany’s Lufthansa Group announced that it has cancelled all flights to several destinations across the Middle East until the end of April, pointing to what it described as a “volatile situation.”
The group, which includes Eurowings, Austrian Airlines, SWISS, Brussels Airlines, and a stake in Italy’s ITA Airways, has also extended suspensions on routes to key cities such as Tehran, Beirut, Riyadh, and Abu Dhabi until October 24.
Additionally, services to major travel hubs including Dubai and Tel Aviv will remain suspended until May 31. The airline emphasized that it continues to closely monitor developments in the region and will adjust operations as necessary.
Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific has taken similar measures, extending its suspension of flights to and from Dubai and Riyadh through May 31.
The airline’s decision follows earlier disruptions after military strikes involving Israel and the United States targeting Iran on February 28 intensified regional tensions.
As airlines pull back from Middle Eastern routes, shifting travel demand is becoming increasingly evident.
Cathay Pacific reported a surge in bookings for European destinations, prompting it to add extra flights between Hong Kong and cities such as Paris and Zurich.
Additional services to London have also been introduced to accommodate passengers seeking alternative routes that avoid traditional Middle Eastern transit hubs.
According to AFP, the evolving situation has also prompted official travel advisories. The Hong Kong government recently elevated its alert level for Iran and Israel to “severe,” urging residents to avoid all travel to both countries due to escalating risks.
The extended suspensions highlight how geopolitical instability continues to disrupt global aviation networks, forcing airlines to reconfigure routes while passengers increasingly seek safer travel options.
