Major European carriers suspend services across Middle East

2026-03-02 - 11:54

Major European carriers have begun a sweeping suspension of services across the Middle East following a weekend of unprecedented military volatility. Air France and Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) both cited deteriorating security conditions as the primary driver behind the mass cancellations, which come in the wake of joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran. Key routes grounded Air France confirmed the immediate grounding of all flights to and from Tel Aviv and Beiruteffective February 28, citing the “unpredictable security landscape” at both destinations. The airline has moved to a day-to-day assessment model, with further updates expected as the situation on the ground evolves. SWISS has meanwhile taken a more long-term stance, suspending all Tel Aviv operations until at least March 7, a move that impacts 14 scheduled rotations. The carrier also scrubbed its Zurich-to-Dubai corridor over the weekend, citing the sudden closure of multiple regional airspaces that made the flight path unviable. Airspace gridlock The suspensions follow a chain reaction of closures after Iran launched retaliatory missile strikes. With Iran, Iraq, and Israel all shuttering their civilian air corridors, the region has become a “no-go zone” for many Western operators. Passenger support Both airlines are currently scrambling to re-accommodate stranded travelers. Affected passengers are being offered complimentary rebooking or full refunds, as diplomatic missions across the region urge foreign nationals to exercise extreme caution and avoid non-essential travel. Growing list of carriers grounded by regional unrest The latest move by Air France and SWISS follows a wave of similar suspensions announced over the weekend. On February 28, Germany’s Lufthansa confirmed it would halt all services to and from Tel Aviv, Beirut, and Ammanthrough at least March 7, citing an “ongoing and rigorous assessment” of the security climate. Budget carrier Wizz Air followed suit with an immediate grounding of its entire network connecting to Israel, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Amman. In a statement, the airline emphasized it remains in “constant contact” with international aviation safety agencies to determine when it will be safe to resume operations. The ripple effects have also hit regional players. A spokesperson for flydubai confirmed that while they haven’t issued a total suspension, several routes have been severely disrupted or diverted due to the temporary closure of Iraqi, Iranian, and Israeli airspace.