Airlines That Have Suspended Middle East Flights Due to Accreditation Issues and Escalating Conflict

Flight Suspensions in the Middle East: A Breakdown of Airlines Halting Operations Amid Accreditation Concerns and Security Risks

Grounded in Tension: Airlines Suspend Middle East Flights Over Accreditation and Escalating Conflict

As diplomatic tensions in the Middle East spiral into direct military confrontations, major airlines across the globe have suspended or reduced flights to key cities such as Tel Aviv, Tehran, Doha, and Dubai. While the root cause remains a volatile geopolitical crisis involving Israel, Iran, and the United States, some suspensions also stem from operational accreditation challenges and tightened airspace regulations.

Here’s a comprehensive overview of the airlines that have hit the brakes on Middle Eastern routes as of June 2025:

European Airlines: Precaution Meets Policy

1. British Airways

• Suspended Routes: London–Dubai, London–Doha (temporarily)
• Status: Flights resumed with intermittent cancellations.
• Note: Operating under strict airspace monitoring.

2. Air France & Transavia

• Suspended Until:
  • UAE and Saudi Arabia: 25 June
  • Paris–Tel Aviv: 14 July
  • Paris–Beirut (Transavia): 30 June
  • Tel Aviv (Transavia): 7 September
• Reason: Conflict zone restrictions and operational license reviews.

3. Lufthansa Group (Including Swiss, Austrian, ITA)

• Suspended Until:
  • All Middle East routes: 30 June
  • Tel Aviv & Tehran: 31 July
  • Amman & Erbil: 11 July
• Status: Avoiding the airspace of Israel, Iran, and Iraq.
• Accreditation Note: Operational clearance being reassessed.

4. Aegean Airlines (Greece)

• Suspended Routes:
  • Tel Aviv: Until 12 July
  • Amman, Beirut, Erbil: Until 28 June

5. Pegasus Airlines (Turkey)

• No Flights To: Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon (until 30 June) and Iran (until 30 July)

6. Turkish Airlines

• Suspended Cities:
  • Immediate cancellations to Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Muscat, Dammam, Bahrain
  • No service to Baghdad, Damascus, Tehran until after 1 July

7. Finnair

• Changes: Cancelled flights to Doha and avoiding airspace of Israel, Syria, Iran, and Iraq

North American Airlines: Focus on Flexibility

1. United Airlines

• Travel Window Affected:
  • Dubai: 18 June – 3 July
  • Tel Aviv: 13 June – 1 August
• Flexibility Offered: Free rebooking to alternative European cities
• Operational Status: Adjusting in real time due to FAA advisories

2. Air Canada

• Suspended Route: Toronto–Dubai (from 18 June)
• Alternate Travel: Via European stopovers with Star Alliance partners
• Suspension Duration: Indefinite, depending on security assessments

3. American Airlines

• Affected Destination: Doha
• Travel Window: 19 June – 20 July
• Booking Policy: No rebooking fees during this period

Asian Airlines: Grounding Major Routes

1. Singapore Airlines

• Cancellations: Eight flights to Dubai (Sunday to Wednesday)
• Airspace Avoidance: Iranian and Israeli airspace fully excluded from flight paths

What’s Driving These Suspensions?

While many suspensions are directly linked to the escalating military conflict following U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites, some carriers also cited regulatory re-evaluations and airspace accreditation concerns. With ongoing FAA, EASA, and ICAO advisories, airlines are revalidating route permissions and operating licenses in line with new security protocols.

Additionally, international insurance underwriters have warned of rising warzone-related premiums, pressuring carriers to suspend high-risk flights—even where accreditation technically remains in place.

Which Cities Are Affected Most?

• Tel Aviv, Israel
• Tehran, Iran
• Dubai, UAE
• Doha, Qatar
• Amman, Jordan
• Erbil, Iraq
• Beirut, Lebanon
• Damascus, Syria

What Passengers Should Know

• If you’re flying to or from the Middle East in June/July 2025, double-check your airline’s website for real-time updates.
• Many airlines are waiving rebooking fees, especially for travel between 13 June and 1 August.
• Insurance coverage for flights to the Middle East may be limited—passengers are encouraged to verify travel protection clauses.

Final Boarding Call

This isn’t just a scheduling issue—it’s a geopolitical web that touches everything from aviation law to diplomatic relations. As conflict reshapes the skies, airlines are navigating a careful balance of safety, compliance, and customer care. Passengers are advised to remain flexible, vigilant, and informed.

Stay grounded—but stay ready to fly when peace allows.

Also read: Iran Strike: Is Another Fuel Crisis Looming for South Africa and the World?