European Airlines Suspend Middle East Flights Amid Rising US-Iran Tensions

ISTANBUL

Several European airlines have suspended or modified flights to the Middle East amid escalating security concerns linked to rising tensions between the United States and Iran, and fears of broader instability across the Persian Gulf.

Air France announced late Friday that it has temporarily halted flights to Dubai, emphasizing that passenger and crew safety remains its top priority. The airline said it is closely monitoring developments in the region to ensure the highest standards of safety and security.

The French carrier canceled two Paris–Dubai flights on Friday, leading to the cancellation of two return services scheduled for Saturday. Air France said further updates to its flight schedule would be communicated at a later stage.

Dutch airline KLM also suspended flights to Dubai, Riyadh, and Dammam, as well as Tel Aviv, until further notice. The company said it is avoiding airspace over several Gulf states, in addition to Iran, Iraq, and Israel, as a precaution.

Luxair, Luxembourg’s national carrier, canceled multiple flights to Dubai. According to RTL News, a flight scheduled for Saturday morning was postponed by 24 hours due to concerns over the regional situation.

Germany’s Lufthansa said it has suspended flights to Tehran until March 28, while services to Tel Aviv and Jordan’s capital, Amman, will operate only during daytime hours until the end of the month.

British Airways earlier this month temporarily suspended flights to Bahrain, which hosts the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet.

The flight disruptions followed comments by US President Donald Trump regarding the deployment of American naval forces to the Middle East, raising fears of potential military escalation with Iran amid a crackdown on domestic protests.

Trump said on Thursday that a US naval “armada” was heading toward the Gulf. The Pentagon later confirmed that the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln had been redirected from the South China Sea to the region.