KLM Cancels Dubai Flights Until March 28 Due to War

KLM Suspends Dubai Flights Until March 28 Amid Regional Safety Concerns

Dutch flag carrier KLM has cancelled all flights to Dubai through March 28, citing ongoing safety concerns related to military conflict in the Middle East. The decision, announced on Wednesday, affects passengers with bookings to one of the world’s busiest international hubs during a period of elevated regional tension.

In a statement, the airline confirmed the suspension, stating, “Due to ongoing unrest in the Middle East, KLM has decided to cancel all flights to Dubai up to and including March 28.” It emphasized that passenger and crew safety remains its “top priority” and acknowledged the significant disruption to travellers, promising to keep affected customers informed. The carrier is also collaborating with the Dutch foreign ministry to assist in the evacuation of Dutch nationals stranded in the region.

This suspension is part of a broader trend among international carriers reassessing operations in response to the volatile security environment. Germany’s Lufthansa extended its flight suspensions across the Middle East and neighbouring regions. Its cancellations include services to and from Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, Dammam (Saudi Arabia), Amman (Jordan), and Erbil (Iraq) until March 15. Flights to Beirut (Lebanon) and Tel Aviv (Israel) are halted until April 2, while services to Tehran (Iran) are suspended until April 30.

Similarly, Air France has prolonged its suspension of flights to Tel Aviv and Beirut until March 13. Its routes to Dubai and Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) are also suspended until March 12.

The coordinated, multi-airline response highlights the serious risk assessment being made by carriers and their home governments regarding airspace safety and operational security in the region. For travellers, the cancellations create significant logistical challenges, prompting airlines to focus on rebooking and refundement processes. KLM’s extended timeline to late March suggests an expectation that instability will persist in the short term. The situation remains fluid, with further adjustments to flight schedules likely as conditions evolve and official travel advisories are updated.