Air France Anchors With KLM, SWISS, Lufthansa and More Airlines Around the World Continue to Suspend and Restrict Middle East Flights as US-Iran War Raising Security Concerns Force Major Network Changes

Written By: Tuhin Sarkar

Tuhin Sarkar

Tuhin Sarkar is a Senior Journalist at Travel and Tour World with more than 10 years of experience in travel and tourism journalism. A post-graduate in Journalism and Mass Communication from Jadavpur University, he combines strong research, industry knowledge and storytelling expertise to produce engaging, insightful and impactful travel news and fascinating feature stories.

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July 21, 2026 18:16 GMT+5:30

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Air France joins KLM, SWISS, Lufthansa and more airlines around the world as they continue to suspend and restrict Middle East flights, with the US-Iran war raising security concerns and forcing major network changes.

Air France has joined KLM, SWISS, Lufthansa and more airlines around the world that continue to suspend and restrict Middle East flights as the US-Iran war keeps raising security concerns and forcing major network changes. Consequently, carriers are reviewing operations almost daily while placing passenger and crew safety ahead of commercial priorities. Airlines are also avoiding high-risk airspace, revising schedules and extending temporary suspensions wherever necessary.

Meanwhile, travellers are facing longer flight times, unexpected cancellations and altered itineraries. As uncertainty continues, aviation experts expect flexible scheduling and safety-led decision-making to remain the defining strategy for international airlines operating across the region.

Airlines across the world continue to reshape their Middle East operations as ongoing regional security concerns, airspace restrictions and operational risks prompt carriers to suspend flights, delay service resumptions and reroute aircraft around conflict zones. While some Gulf airlines have restored much of their international networks, many European and Asian carriers remain cautious, extending cancellations to selected destinations and avoiding sensitive airspace over Iran, Iraq, Israel, Syria and Lebanon. The evolving situation has resulted in longer flight times, schedule changes and increased operating costs, with airlines placing passenger and crew safety at the centre of every operational decision.

Air France Maintains Suspensions to Selected Gulf Destinations

Air France continues to adopt a cautious approach towards its Middle East network. The French flag carrier has extended the suspension of flights to selected destinations, including Riyadh and Dubai, while closely monitoring the regional security environment before restoring normal operations.

The airline continues reviewing the situation on a regular basis and has indicated that services will only resume when operating conditions are considered safe. Passengers with affected bookings are being offered alternative travel arrangements where possible.

KLM Continues to Avoid High-Risk Airspace

KLM has also maintained operational restrictions across parts of the Middle East. Rather than suspending its entire regional network, the Dutch airline has rerouted aircraft around airspace considered unsafe, resulting in longer journey times on several long-haul services.

The airline continues to evaluate flight paths daily and remains prepared to make further adjustments should the security situation change.

Lufthansa Group Gradually Plans a Return

Germany’s Lufthansa Group is taking measured steps towards restoring selected Middle East services while maintaining a conservative operational strategy. The airline plans to resume flights to certain destinations only after conducting comprehensive safety assessments.

Its subsidiary airlines, including SWISS, Austrian Airlines and Brussels Airlines, continue following similar policies, with selected Middle East routes remaining suspended until conditions improve. The group also continues avoiding conflict-affected airspace whenever possible.

SWISS Continues Network Adjustments

SWISS has maintained a number of operational restrictions across its Middle East network. The carrier continues delaying the return of selected services while monitoring developments across the region.

The airline has prioritised flexible scheduling and continues informing passengers of any operational changes well in advance of departure.

Austrian Airlines Extends Selected Suspensions

Austrian Airlines continues to review its Middle East operations carefully. Several regional services remain suspended while the airline evaluates evolving security conditions and government advisories.

The carrier remains committed to restoring normal operations only when the operating environment is considered stable.

Brussels Airlines Reviews Services Regularly

Brussels Airlines has adopted a similar approach by maintaining suspensions on selected routes and reviewing operational decisions on an ongoing basis.

The airline continues working closely with aviation authorities and security experts before confirming the resumption of affected services.

Finnair Extends Doha Suspension

Finnair remains among Europe’s most cautious carriers regarding Middle East operations. The airline has extended the suspension of its Doha service while continuing to avoid flying through the airspace of Iran, Iraq, Syria and Israel.

These changes have resulted in longer routing for several flights between Europe and Asia, increasing both flight times and operational costs.

Turkish Airlines Suspends Flights to Conflict-Affected Countries

Turkish Airlines continues operating one of the world’s largest international networks but has suspended services to several destinations directly affected by regional instability.

Flights to parts of Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan remain impacted, with the airline reviewing its network continuously in response to changing security conditions.

Pegasus Airlines Continues Regional Cancellations

Low-cost carrier Pegasus Airlines has also maintained suspensions on selected Middle Eastern routes. The airline continues adjusting its schedule as regional airspace restrictions remain in place.

Passengers are advised to check flight status before travelling, as operational changes may occur at short notice.

AJet Maintains Operational Restrictions

AJet continues suspending services to several destinations across the region while monitoring developments closely. The airline has adopted a flexible operational strategy that allows schedules to be updated quickly as conditions evolve.

Air India Closely Monitors Regional Operations

Air India continues adjusting its Middle East network based on official advisories and operational safety assessments. Selected routes remain suspended or subject to schedule changes whenever regional tensions increase.

The airline continues providing travel updates and alternative arrangements for affected passengers.

IndiGo Continues Network Adjustments

India’s largest airline, IndiGo, has also implemented temporary suspensions and schedule revisions on selected Middle East routes.

The carrier continues reviewing operations regularly while working to minimise disruption for passengers travelling between India and the Gulf.

Emirates Operates Most of Its Global Network

Despite ongoing regional challenges, Emirates continues operating the majority of its international network. The Dubai-based airline has made targeted schedule adjustments where necessary while maintaining extensive connectivity across Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and the Americas.

The airline continues monitoring regional developments and remains prepared to modify operations whenever required.

Etihad Airways Maintains Extensive International Services

Etihad Airways continues serving most of its global destinations through Abu Dhabi despite the challenging operating environment.

The airline has introduced schedule adjustments on selected routes but remains committed to maintaining connectivity across its worldwide network.

Qatar Airways Continues Global Connectivity

Qatar Airways continues operating one of the world’s largest international networks from Doha while adapting selected services to changing operational requirements.

The airline remains focused on maintaining reliable connectivity while ensuring passenger and crew safety.

flydubai Adjusts Services as Required

flydubai continues operating the majority of its network but has cancelled or modified selected flights to destinations affected by regional instability.

The airline continues reviewing operations daily and advises passengers to monitor travel updates before departure.

Air Arabia Maintains Flexible Scheduling

Air Arabia has adopted a flexible approach by adjusting schedules and suspending selected routes whenever required.

The airline continues restoring services gradually where operational conditions allow while maintaining regular communication with passengers.

Air Astana Suspends Selected Services

Air Astana has temporarily suspended flights to selected Middle Eastern destinations while assessing the evolving security situation.

The airline continues monitoring developments before announcing the resumption of normal services.

Jazeera Airways Continues Passenger Advisories

Jazeera Airways remains operational across much of its network but continues issuing travel advisories and adjusting schedules in response to changing regional conditions.

Passengers are encouraged to verify their flight status before travelling to the airport.

Global Airlines Continue to Prioritise Safety

Airlines worldwide continue to place safety ahead of commercial considerations as the Middle East security situation remains unpredictable. Although some carriers have resumed parts of their regional networks, many continue avoiding sensitive airspace and maintaining selective flight suspensions.

For travellers, flexibility remains essential. Flight schedules may change at short notice as airlines respond to new security assessments, government advisories and operational developments. Until regional stability improves, carriers are expected to maintain cautious, safety-led operations while gradually restoring services whenever conditions permit.

The primary cause behind these widespread flight suspensions is the continued instability linked to the US-Iran war and the heightened security risks across parts of the Middle East. The answer adopted by airlines has been to suspend selected routes, reroute aircraft around conflict zones and constantly reassess operational safety before restoring services. The reason is straightforward: protecting passengers, flight crews and aircraft remains the industry’s highest priority. With military activity, airspace restrictions and rapidly changing security assessments affecting normal operations, airlines have concluded that temporary disruptions are preferable to exposing flights to unnecessary operational and safety risks.

The continuing suspension and restriction of Middle East flights by Air France, KLM, SWISS, Lufthansa and many other international airlines reflects an aviation industry responding cautiously to an unpredictable geopolitical environment. Rather than rushing to restore normal schedules, carriers are choosing a measured approach that prioritises operational resilience, regulatory compliance and passenger confidence. This strategy has resulted in longer flight paths, revised timetables, temporary cancellations and frequent schedule updates across numerous international routes.

Although several Gulf-based airlines continue to operate extensive global networks, even they remain prepared to modify schedules whenever regional developments require immediate action. European and Asian airlines, meanwhile, continue to evaluate every route individually, taking into account airspace availability, government advisories, insurance considerations and overall operational risk. This airline-by-airline strategy demonstrates that there is no single solution while the regional security environment remains fluid.

For passengers, the situation highlights the importance of monitoring flight notifications, allowing additional travel time and remaining flexible with travel plans. Airlines are providing rebooking options, revised itineraries and regular operational updates to minimise disruption wherever possible. As long as security concerns persist, further adjustments to Middle East services cannot be ruled out.

Looking ahead, the pace of service restoration will depend entirely on improvements in regional stability and the reopening of safe air corridors. Until then, airlines around the world are expected to continue balancing connectivity with safety, ensuring every operational decision is guided by comprehensive risk assessments rather than commercial pressure. The current approach underlines a clear industry consensus that protecting lives, maintaining safe operations and preserving passenger confidence remain the foundations of international aviation during periods of geopolitical uncertainty.