A wave of major international airlines, including Air France, British Airways, Lufthansa, and KLM, abruptly canceled flights to Israel and several Gulf nations Friday night, citing a rapidly deteriorating “security situation.”
The coordinated suspensions, which extend through the weekend, have left thousands of travelers stranded and fueled concerns of an imminent military escalation between the United States and Iran.
Sudden Shutdowns Across the Region
The disruptions began late Thursday and accelerated throughout Friday. KLM and Air France confirmed the suspension of service not only to Tel Aviv but also to major hubs in the United Arab Emirates (Dubai and Abu Dhabi), Saudi Arabia (Riyadh and Dammam), and Qatar.
- KLM: Canceled all overnight flights to Israel and the Gulf through Sunday. The airline stated it is in “close contact with the government” to make safety assessments.
- Lufthansa Group: Restricted flights to Israel to daytime hours only, ensuring crews do not stay overnight, and extended its total avoidance of Iranian and Iraqi airspace.
- North American Carriers: United Airlines and Air Canada have also scrapped their Friday and Saturday services to Tel Aviv.
Tensions Reach a Boiling Point
The mass cancellations follow a series of stark warnings from U.S. President Donald Trump, who recently described a massive military “armada” moving toward the Arabian Sea. Speaking to reporters on his return from the Davos summit, the President reiterated a “nuclear red line,” warning that any Iranian attempt to restart enrichment would face severe consequences.
