Dubai and Middle East flights disruption: US-Iran tensions keep airlines cautious as services gradually resume

Although much of the Middle East's airspace has reopened, airlines continue to review their operations because tensions between the United States and Iran have resurfaced.

The current uncertainty stems from an interim memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed in June after the conflict that followed US and Israeli strikes on Iran. The agreement ended hostilities and aimed to ensure the safe movement of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz while paving the way for broader negotiations on issues such as Iran's nuclear programme and sanctions.

However, US President Donald Trump said the ceasefire agreement was "over", alleging that Iran had failed to honour its commitments.


The Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway through which around one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas supplies pass, the MoU says Iran should facilitate the safe passage of commercial ships, Tehran argues that the agreement recognises its authority to manage the waterway. The US and Gulf states interpret the provision differently, saying it simply requires Iran to keep the route open without imposing restrictions or tolls.

Because these disagreements remain unresolved, negotiations on a longer-term settlement have yet to resume. The continuing uncertainty has led several international airlines to maintain flight suspensions, delay the resumption of services, or operate reduced schedules on Middle East routes even as regional airspace remains largely open.

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Which Middle East routes are still affected?

International air travel across the Middle East is gradually returning to normal after weeks of disruption caused by the Iran-Israel conflict and US strikes on Iran. While several airlines have restarted services to destinations such as Dubai, Tel Aviv and Riyadh, many carriers continue to suspend or delay flights on key Middle East routes, citing operational and safety considerations.

The latest airline advisories show that travellers heading to the Gulf and other parts of the Middle East should continue to check flight schedules before departure, as restrictions vary by airline and destination.

The disruption began after military tensions in the region led to temporary airspace closures and widespread flight cancellations. Although several countries have since reopened their airspace, airlines are restoring operations at different speeds based on their own security assessments and operational planning.

Several airlines restart services

Some international carriers have resumed flights to parts of the region in recent weeks.

Air France has restored services to Dubai from July 8 and Tel Aviv from July 3, while flights to Riyadh resumed earlier in June. Turkish Airlines' subsidiary SunExpress is scheduled to restart its Antalya-Dubai service on July 15.

Delta Air Lines plans to resume its New York (JFK)-Tel Aviv route from September 6, although its Atlanta-Tel Aviv service remains suspended until December 18.

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These resumptions follow the reopening of several regional air routes after security conditions improved.

Which airlines have suspended or diverted flights?

Despite the gradual recovery, several major airlines continue to suspend flights to parts of the Middle East.

Lufthansa and SWISS have extended the suspension of Dubai flights until September 13. The Lufthansa Group has also suspended flights to Abu Dhabi, Muscat, Riyadh, Dammam, Amman, Beirut, Tehran and Erbil until October 24.

British Airways has postponed the return of Doha services until August 1 and Riyadh flights until August 8. Flights to Dubai, Bahrain, Amman and Tel Aviv are currently scheduled to resume on October 25. When services restart, the airline plans to operate reduced frequencies on several Middle East routes.

Singapore Airlines has extended the suspension of Singapore-Dubai flights until August 2.

Air Canada has cancelled flights to both Dubai and Tel Aviv until October 24, while airBaltic has suspended Dubai services until October 24.

Wizz Air has paused flights to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Amman from mainland Europe until mid-September.

Among other carriers, Cathay Pacific plans to resume Dubai and Riyadh flights from September 1, while Japan Airlines has suspended Tokyo-Doha services until the end of August. Finnair has cancelled Doha flights until October 2 and continues to avoid the airspace over Iran, Iraq, Syria and Israel.

Are Dubai Airports operating normally?

Dubai, one of the world's busiest international aviation hubs, has seen more airlines restore operations compared with other destinations in the region. However, several European carriers continue to delay the return of services, meaning flight availability remains below normal on some routes.

Travellers flying to or through the Middle East should expect schedule changes, reduced frequencies and possible rerouting, depending on the airline.

Travel advisory for international passengers

Airlines continue to review operations based on security assessments and government advisories. Passengers travelling to destinations in the Middle East are advised to verify the latest flight status with their airline before leaving for the airport and monitor official travel advisories issued by relevant authorities.

Although air travel across the region has improved compared with the peak of the disruption, airlines say operational adjustments will remain in place on several routes over the coming weeks and months.