Severe Weather Wreaks Havoc in the Middle East: 9 Flights Cancelled and Over 550 Delays Across Major Airports in Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Kenya, as Turkish Airlines, Kenya Airways, Saudia, and Royal Jordanian Struggle to Maintain Schedules—Get the Full Scoop on Affected Cities and Rebooking Guidelines

Published on February 16, 2026

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In a time when travel is rapidly bouncing back from pandemic restrictions, the airline industry has faced a series of setbacks due to unforeseen circumstances. Over the past few days, multiple airlines have been forced to cancel flights due to bad weather conditions across major airports, leaving passengers stranded and struggling to rebook their travel plans. In this article, we delve into the extensive flight cancellations caused by adverse weather, primarily affecting Turkish Airlines, Kenya Airways, Saudia, and Royal Jordanian, as they navigate through turbulent skies.

Flight Cancellations by Turkish Airlines, Kenya Airways, Saudia, and Royal Jordanian

Airlines are often at the mercy of Mother Nature, with bad weather, such as thunderstorms, snowstorms, or heavy winds, forcing them to halt flights for passenger safety. The three airlines, Turkish Airlines, Kenya Airways, Saudia, and Royal Jordanian, have all been affected by these disruptions, leading to significant impact on passenger itineraries, schedules, and connections.

Turkish Airlines

Turkish Airlines, one of the largest carriers in the world, had to cancel several flights departing from and arriving at Istanbul Airport (IST) due to adverse weather conditions. Among the canceled flights, flight THY1955 from Istanbul Airport to Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) was affected, with another return flight, THY1956, from Amsterdam to Istanbul being grounded. These cancellations left hundreds of passengers stranded at the airport, struggling to secure alternate arrangements.

Kenya Airways

Kenya Airways, the flag carrier of Kenya, was not immune to the weather disruptions either. Flight KQA764 from Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) to Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) was grounded, with its return flight, KQA765, also affected. Passengers traveling on these routes had no choice but to deal with long delays and cancellations, causing significant disruptions in their travel plans. The airline was forced to issue refunds and offer compensation to those affected by the cancellations.

Saudia

Saudia, the national carrier of Saudi Arabia, faced its own weather-related challenges, particularly in the cities of Riyadh and Jeddah. Flight SVA1047 from King Khalid International Airport (RUH) to King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) was canceled, as was flight SVA1110, traveling from Jeddah to Dammam. These disruptions left passengers scrambling for alternative arrangements, and in some cases, forced to book flights with other airlines or adjust their itineraries entirely.

Royal Jordanian

Lastly, Royal Jordanian also faced major flight disruptions due to bad weather, particularly affecting their operations between Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) in Amman and Maastricht Aachen Airport (MST) in the Netherlands. Flights RJA33 and RJA34 were both canceled, leaving passengers stranded as they sought rebooking options or compensation from the airline.

The Root Cause: Weather

Weather remains a primary reason for flight cancellations, with airlines across the globe dealing with the fallout of bad weather conditions. While there was no official statement about the specific weather systems affecting these flights, it is known that thunderstorms, strong winds, and potential snowfalls across various regions led to the widespread cancellations. As airlines aim to prioritize passenger safety and comply with air traffic regulations, flights are often grounded when the conditions become unsafe.

Key Data from the Cancellation News

• Number of Cancelled Flights:
  • Turkish Airlines: 2
  • Kenya Airways: 2
  • Saudia: 3
  • Royal Jordanian: 2
• Reason for Cancellations:
  • Bad weather conditions, including thunderstorms, strong winds, and snowstorms, were cited as the primary cause of these cancellations.

Impact on Passengers

The flight cancellations caused by these airlines resulted in a significant impact on passengers. For many, this meant long delays, missed connections, and uncertainty about when they would be able to board their flights again. Passengers found themselves navigating a complex process of refunds, rebooking, and finding accommodations while stranded at airports.

For business travelers and those with tight schedules, these disruptions were particularly troublesome, forcing them to miss meetings, events, and family gatherings. Families with children, elderly passengers, and those with special needs faced additional challenges, particularly in navigating crowded airports and finding last-minute travel solutions.

Impact on Local Tourism

Local tourism was also negatively affected by the cancellations. For countries like Kenya, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, which heavily rely on international tourism, these flight disruptions led to a decrease in the number of visitors arriving at key tourist destinations. While domestic tourism might have picked up, international travelers, especially those from Europe and Asia, had their plans disrupted.

Local businesses, such as hotels, restaurants, and tour operators, felt the immediate economic impact of these disruptions, with many seeing canceled reservations or a lack of tourists due to the cancellations. The governments of these affected countries would need to act swiftly to mitigate the effects of these cancellations on their local economies.

Main Airports Affected

Turkish Airlines:

1. Istanbul Airport (IST / LTFM) – The primary hub for Turkish Airlines, which faced cancellations due to severe weather conditions in Istanbul.
2. Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS / EHAM) – Affected by the cancellations on flights arriving from Istanbul.

Kenya Airways:

1. Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO / HKJK) – Kenya Airways’ main hub, where cancellations caused major disruptions for passengers.
2. OR Tambo International Airport (JNB / FAOR) – South Africa’s busiest airport, affected by flight cancellations from Nairobi.

Saudia:

1. King Khalid International Airport (RUH / OERK) – Saudi Arabia’s major airport, where cancellations affected multiple flights.
2. King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED / OEJN) – The airport in Jeddah, where Saudia’s flight disruptions caused major delays.
3. King Fahd International Airport (DMM / OEDF) – Affected by flight cancellations from Jeddah.

Royal Jordanian:

1. Queen Alia International Airport (AMM / OJAI) – The main hub of Royal Jordanian, severely affected by cancellations.
2. Maastricht Aachen Airport (MST / EHBK) – The airport in the Netherlands affected by the cancellations from Amman.

Key Regions Affected

Turkish Airlines:

• Istanbul: The weather conditions in Istanbul were severe enough to cause flight cancellations, affecting both inbound and outbound flights.
• Amsterdam: As a major European hub, Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport felt the brunt of the cancellations from Istanbul.

Kenya Airways:

• Nairobi: The capital of Kenya, with its major international airport disrupted by weather conditions.
• Johannesburg: South Africa’s largest city was affected by cancellations from Nairobi.

Saudia:

• Riyadh: The capital of Saudi Arabia was impacted by flight cancellations from King Khalid International Airport.
• Jeddah: Another major city in Saudi Arabia that saw major disruptions in air travel due to weather.
• Dammam: The airport in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia was also affected by the cancellations.

Royal Jordanian:

• Amman: The capital of Jordan and the main hub of Royal Jordanian was directly affected by the flight cancellations.
• Maastricht: The cancellation of flights from Amman affected this European city, leading to passenger disruptions.

Affected Routes

Turkish Airlines:

• Istanbul to Amsterdam: Flight THY1955 from Istanbul to Amsterdam and its return flight THY1956 were affected by severe weather, leaving passengers stranded.

Kenya Airways:

• Nairobi to Johannesburg: Flight KQA764 from Nairobi to Johannesburg was grounded, and its return flight KQA765 was similarly impacted.

Saudia:

• Riyadh to Jeddah: Flight SVA1047 was canceled, with passengers left stranded in Riyadh and Jeddah.
• Jeddah to Dammam: Flight SVA1110 from Jeddah to Dammam was also grounded due to weather.

Royal Jordanian:

• Amman to Maastricht: Flight RJA33 from Amman to Maastricht and its return flight RJA34 were both canceled, leading to passenger disruptions in both cities.

Positive Outlook for the Tourism Industry

Despite these cancellations, the tourism industry can look forward to a rebound. Airlines, working in close collaboration with local authorities and governments, can implement contingency plans and better communication strategies to mitigate the impact of such disruptions. With the global travel industry recovering, countries can use this as an opportunity to improve their infrastructure and services to better handle unforeseen challenges. As airlines continue to modernize their fleets and invest in technology, it’s likely that future disruptions will be more manageable.

Rebooking Guidelines for Passengers Affected by Flight Disruptions

For passengers whose flights have been canceled or delayed due to severe weather disruptions, airlines typically provide a variety of options to assist with rebooking. Here are the common rebooking guidelines to help travelers navigate the process:

• Contact the Airline Directly: Reach out to the airline’s customer service team either at the airport, via their website, or through the mobile app to discuss available rebooking options.
• Flexible Travel Dates: If your flight is canceled, airlines may offer the option to rebook on the next available flight at no additional cost. Ensure to ask about flexibility in choosing alternative travel dates.
• Compensation Options: Many airlines offer compensation for significant delays or cancellations, including hotel stays, meal vouchers, or even partial refunds for missed connections. Be sure to inquire about any applicable reimbursements.
• Use Airline Apps and Websites: Some airlines provide self-service options through their mobile apps or websites, where passengers can choose to rebook flights, request refunds, or manage their travel plans.
• Check for Connecting Flight Alternatives: If your connecting flight is affected, ask about rebooking options on partner airlines or nearby airports to minimize disruptions.
• Priority for Vulnerable Passengers: Airlines often prioritize rebooking for vulnerable passengers such as families with young children, elderly travelers, and those with special needs.
• Stay Updated: Monitor your airline’s website or app for real-time updates on flight availability and new scheduling options. Many airlines send notifications about rebooking and the status of flights.
• Travel Insurance: If you have travel insurance, check your policy to understand the coverage for flight cancellations and delays. It may help offset additional costs incurred during the disruption.

How the Industry Can Bounce Back

The airline industry has faced its fair share of challenges, but resilience is key. Airlines that provide excellent customer service, timely information, and effective contingency measures will remain the top choice for travelers. Additionally, governments and tourism boards can collaborate to create alternative travel plans, ensuring that tourists’ experiences are not entirely ruined by weather-related disruptions. These steps will ultimately lead to a stronger and more sustainable future for the global tourism industry.