As the ongoing conflict centered near the Strait of Hormuz continues to evolve, international and regional airlines are extending flight suspensions across the Gulf. Carriers have canceled or modified services to destinations including the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, with passengers urged to verify their flight status before arriving at the airport.
The regional instability has intensified following the UAE’s decision to suspend all trade and financial transactions with Iran after air defenses intercepted two ballistic missiles. While Iran has denied involvement, diplomatic efforts have stalled, with US President Donald Trump confirming on Tuesday that ceasefire negotiations have reached an indefinite halt.
Etihad Airways has confirmed that while certain flights between Abu Dhabi and Bahrain will proceed as scheduled, several others are affected. Specifically, flights EY641-EY642, EY645-EY646, and EY647-EY648 remain canceled until August 21. The airline expressed regret for the disruption, noting that teams are working to assist passengers with reaccommodation options.
Other carriers are reporting significant operational changes. Emirates flights to Kuwait and Bahrain remain disrupted, with current status updates unavailable. Meanwhile, the national carrier of Kazakhstan has extended its suspension of flights from Almaty to both Dubai and Doha for the coming days.
Air France has also extended its regional flight suspensions. Services from Paris to Dubai are grounded until August 25, when flight AF 0662 is currently expected to operate. Additional suspensions include Beirut through September 1, 2026, and Riyadh until August 25, 2026. Flights to and from Abu Dhabi, Amman, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai, Tel Aviv, and Riyadh remain impacted.
Regarding these adjustments, Air France stated, “The resumption of operations will remain subject to an assessment of the security situation locally, which is rapidly evolving.” To support affected travelers, the airline is offering full refunds or no-fee booking changes for travel through October 31.
Canadian carriers have also adjusted their long-term schedules. Flights to Dubai and Tel Aviv are now canceled until mid-January 2027, an extension from the previous October 24 deadline due to the ongoing regional escalation. The airline continues to maintain service to other regional hubs, including Doha and Riyadh.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has similarly extended its suspension of flights to Dubai, Riyadh, and Dammam until October 24. However, the carrier plans to resume its route between Amsterdam and Tel Aviv starting August 25.
Travelers are advised to monitor official airline channels closely, as the security environment remains fluid and subject to sudden changes. Airlines continue to emphasize that safety assessments remain the primary factor in determining the resumption of regular flight operations. The report also notes that where a scheduled AF 0662 flight is expected to fly from Charles De Gaulle (CDG) in Paris to DXB, flights from the French capital to DXB will remain suspended until 25 August. The report also notes that including giving a full refund or a no-fee change for bookings up until 31 October, the airline said it is extending flexibility when booking. The report also notes that initially, flights were suspended until October 24 of this year, but the Canadian airline extended it due to the ongoing escalations in the region. The report also notes that our teams are doing their best to assist our guests with their travel arrangements, including reaccommodation on alternative services, we apologise for the inconvenience. The report also notes that stay up to date with the latest news.
Source: Khaleej Times
