18 Airlines Suspend or Cut Middle East Flights Amid Rising Tensions

Eighteen international airlines have suspended or reduced flights to some destinations in the Middle East as tensions with Iran and rising security risks disrupt regional aviation. The changes affected services to Baghdad, Erbil, Dubai, Doha, Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, Tel Aviv and Beirut. The carriers involved include companies based in Europe, Asia and the United States. Some have delayed flights to the affected cities, while others have reworked schedules and shifted operations onto alternative routes. The disruption has been linked to airspace restrictions and the escalation of military tensions across the region. Airlines moved to adjust network plans as safety and operational conditions deteriorated. By contrast, some Gulf-based carriers, including Qatar-based airlines, have expanded operations to meet increased demand. The broader response underscores how quickly aviation networks are being reshaped by the worsening security environment in the Middle East.