By Micah Jonah | January 24, 2026
Two major European airlines, Air France and KLM, have suspended flights to several destinations in the Middle East, including Dubai and cities in Israel, Saudi Arabia, following rising geopolitical tensions in the region.
Air France confirmed on Friday that it has temporarily stopped its service to Dubai, citing security concerns linked to the evolving situation in the Middle East. The airline said it is closely monitoring developments and will issue further updates on its flight schedule as conditions change.
Dutch carrier KLM also announced the suspension of flights to Tel Aviv in Israel, as well as Dubai, Dammam and Riyadh, and stated that it will avoid flying through the airspace of countries including Iraq, Iran and Israel. The airline said it is working with Dutch authorities while reviewing safety conditions across the affected routes.
The flight disruptions come amid heightened military movements by the United States in the Gulf region. United States President, Donald Trump disclosed that a large number of US warships are heading toward the area, describing the deployment as an armada positioned in response to recent developments involving Iran.
Trump made the statement while returning from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, noting that the naval movement was precautionary as Washington continues to monitor Tehran following recent internal unrest and regional tensions.
Although no direct threat to commercial aviation has been officially declared, airline operators have taken precautionary measures to protect passengers and crew as uncertainty grows across key Middle Eastern air corridors.
Aviation authorities in Europe are expected to continue reviewing flight safety advisories, while travelers heading to and from the Middle East are being advised to confirm schedules with their airlines as disruptions may persist in the coming days.
