Europe Links with the Gulf and the Levant are Facing the Biggest Airline Shake-Up This Summer: Which Flights Are Suspended and What Should Travellers Do Now?

Written By: Abhirup Gan

Abhirup Gan

I'm Abhirup Gan, a Mass Communication graduate and digital marketing professional. Driven by a passion for storytelling, I create insightful, research-led content that explores tourism trends, destination stories, and hospitality developments with depth and clarity. Through my writing, I hope to inspire readers to discover not only where to travel, but the stories, cultures, and experiences that make every journey meaningful.

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July 14, 2026 12:17 PM

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Europe Links with the Gulf and the Levant Are Facing the Biggest Airline Shake-Up This Summer. If you’re planning to fly into the Gulf or Levant this summer, here’s the insider update you don’t want to miss. While airports across the UAE, Qatar and much of the Gulf continue operating normally, many international airlines are still maintaining route suspensions because of ongoing regional security concerns and airspace restrictions. The result? Your destination may be open, but your airline might not be flying there.

Regional carriers such as Emirates, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, flydubai and Saudia continue operating most of their schedules by using alternative flight paths around restricted airspace. However, several European and international airlines have postponed the return of services to key destinations including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Beirut, Amman, Tehran and Tel Aviv. The latest updates are based on airline operational notices and Reuters’ most recent suspension tracker.

Current Global Airline Suspension Tracker (Summer 2026)

*Resumption dates remain subject to operational review and may change depending on regional security conditions.

Why Are These Flights Still Suspended?

Let’s be honest—if airports like Dubai International and Hamad International are open, why aren’t all airlines flying?

The answer lies in individual airline risk assessments.

Each carrier independently evaluates security conditions, insurance requirements, crew safety, aircraft routing and government advisories. Many European airlines have chosen to extend suspensions rather than repeatedly cancel flights at short notice, giving passengers more certainty while allowing operations teams to redesign schedules around evolving airspace restrictions.

Gulf Airports Continue Operating

Here’s where many travellers get confused.

These suspensions do not mean Gulf airports are closed.

Major hubs include:

• Dubai International Airport (DXB)
• Zayed International Airport, Abu Dhabi (AUH)
• Hamad International Airport, Doha (DOH)
• King Khalid International Airport, Riyadh (RUH)

Continue handling thousands of international flights every day.

Regional airlines have adapted by flying around restricted airspace instead of suspending entire networks, helping preserve tourism, business travel and international transit across the Gulf.

Impact on Tourism

Could these airline suspensions hurt Gulf tourism?

Only partially.

Hotels, shopping malls, beaches, cultural attractions and entertainment venues across the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia remain open.

Most disruption currently affects travellers flying with European or North American carriers rather than visitors travelling on Gulf-based airlines.

International tourism therefore continues, although travellers may experience longer flying times because aircraft are avoiding airspace over Iran, Iraq, Syria and Israel.

Traveller Advisory

Planning to travel today?

Before leaving for the airport:

• Check your airline’s website or mobile app.
• Confirm your flight is operating.
• Review refund and rebooking options if your airline has suspended services.
• Allow additional connection time for international transfers.
• Follow official government travel advisories.
• Consider alternative Gulf carriers if your original airline remains suspended.

Remember, schedules continue changing as airlines review regional security conditions.

Key Stats

• Six major international airline groups continue maintaining partial suspensions across the Gulf and Levant.
• KLM currently has the longest suspension covering Dubai, Riyadh and Dammam through 23 August 2026.
• Lufthansa Group maintains several suspensions until 24 October 2026.
• British Airways continues phased route suspensions through 25 October 2026.
• Gulf carriers continue operating most international routes using revised flight paths.

Timeline and Events

FAQ

Are Gulf airports closed?
No. Airports across the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia remain operational, although some international airlines continue suspending selected routes.

Should I cancel my holiday?
Not necessarily. First, confirm whether your airline is operating, as many Gulf-based carriers continue flying normally.

What happens if my flight is cancelled?
Most airlines are offering complimentary rebooking or full refunds for affected passengers.

Important Dates

• 21 July 2026: Air France Beirut review.
• 23 August 2026: KLM Dubai, Riyadh and Dammam review.
• 13 September 2026: Lufthansa Dubai review.
• 24–25 October 2026: Lufthansa Group, British Airways, Air Canada and airBaltic network reviews.

Conclusion

Europe Links with the Gulf and the Levant are Facing the Biggest Airline Shake-Up This Summer. International travel across the Gulf remains open, but the choice of airline has become just as important as the destination itself. While European and North American carriers continue extending suspensions because of evolving security assessments, Gulf airlines are maintaining much of their global connectivity through flexible routing and operational resilience. For travellers, staying informed, checking live flight status and understanding airline policies are now essential parts of every international journey.