Lufthansa and KLM Extend Middle East Flight Suspensions to Late 2026

Lufthansa Group and KLM have officially extended the suspension of their flight services to key Middle Eastern destinations. Lufthansa, which had planned to resume operations to Dubai (DXB) from Frankfurt and Munich, has now pushed this date back to November 25, 2026. Similarly, KLM has extended its suspension for flights to Riyadh and Dammam through November, while services to Dubai are now not expected to resume until the start of the summer 2027 schedule on March 28.

These decisions are driven by the ongoing security situation and the broader outlook in the Middle East, which has caused sporadic and limited flight availability since March 2026. Airlines are prioritizing passenger safety and operational stability, leading to these rolling extensions as the geopolitical environment remains volatile. This trend reflects a cautious approach by major flag carriers to avoid last-minute cancellations and ensure reliable scheduling for long-haul passengers.

Passengers currently holding tickets for travel to Dubai, Riyadh, or Dammam on Lufthansa, SWISS, Eurowings, or KLM are directly impacted. This also affects travellers who were relying on these carriers for connecting flights through these hubs to reach other destinations in the region or beyond.

Makutet expects that these rolling suspensions will continue to create significant capacity constraints in the Middle East aviation market through the end of the year. We anticipate that airlines will maintain a 'wait-and-see' posture, likely extending these suspensions on a month-by-month basis until a sustained period of regional stability is confirmed by international security assessments.