International Airlines Suspend Middle East Flights Amid US-Iran Conflict

International aviation is facing widespread disruption as Iran resumed military activity in July 2026, firing missiles at Jordan, Qatar, Bahrain, and tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. These actions coincided with a 10-day streak of United States military strikes targeting Iranian infrastructure, including bridges and electrical facilities, to protect commercial shipping. The escalating conflict follows a previous wave of violence in February 2026 that saw Iranian strikes on Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

In response to the instability, major carriers including Air France, Singapore Airlines, British Airways, and Lufthansa have suspended or delayed services to hubs such as Dubai, Riyadh, and Beirut. British Airways permanently suspended flights to Jeddah, while Lufthansa and Swiss paused flights to Tehran and Abu Dhabi until October 24. Air India extended its suspension of the Tel Aviv-Delhi route through September, affecting approximately 40,000 Indian citizens in Israel.

Dubai International Airport remains nearly at full capacity, but foreign carriers are struggling to resume operations. Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, noted that European airlines are deterred by government travel advisories and difficulty securing insurance. To counter the slump in tourism, Emirates is offering war travel insurance, hotel discounts, and repatriation incentives. Other regional carriers, including Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways, have reduced their international networks to adjust to wartime demand.