Lufthansa, Cathay extend Mideast flight suspensions amid ongoing war tensions
German carrier Lufthansa and Hong Kong-based airline Cathay Pacific have jointly extended their suspension of Middle Eastern flights due to the conflict in Gaza. While specific dates for all routes vary slightly across reports with some citing May 31 as a key deadline, both airlines confirmed they will continue grounding passenger services until further notice following announcements made on March 24 and continuing through early morning hours on March 25 from Frankfurt and Hong Kong respectively to ensure safety amidst the deteriorating security situation.
Key Points
-
1Lufthansa has extended flight suspensions to Middle East destinations due to war, alongside Cathay Pacific's similar decision.
-
2Cathay Pacific specifically suspended flights between Hong Kong and Dubai/Riyadh until May 31 because of the ongoing conflict in the region.
-
3Experts suggest that extending these suspension periods may have only a limited financial impact on Cathay Pacific as European services could offset losses.
Developments
Perspectives
Lufthansa, Cathay extend Mideast flight suspensions due to war
— [Mar 25, 00:55] Lufthansa, Cathay extend Mideast flight suspensions due to war (Myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com)Cathays European services could offset Middle East losses experts say Hong Kong flag carrier decision may have only limited financial impact on overall passenger operations
— [Mar 25, 00:30] Cathay's European services could offset Mideast losses experts say (Scmp)Cathays announced it has extended flight suspensions to and from Dubai Riyadh by a month until May 31 because of the war in Middle East
— [Mar 24, 09:30] Cathay extends Duba Riyadh flight suspensions to May 31 (Straitstimes)Cathays announced it will continue suspend all passenger flights from and until end Mideast amid ongoing conflict in region Services affected include those between Hong Kong Dubai UAE Saudi Arabia
— [Mar 24, 08:20] Cathay suspends Middle East flight to May (Rthk.hk)Lufthansa has extended flight suspensions across several Middle Eastern destinations until October 24 or May 31 due to war-related volatility, while Cathay Pacific similarly paused services in Dubai and Riyadh through mid-May after the region's conflict escalated on February 28. Both airlines are monitoring security conditions closely; meanwhile, Hong Kong authorities have raised travel alert levels for Iran and Israel warning residents of a severe threat.
Cathay Pacific has extended flight suspension of services between Hong Kong and key cities including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh until May due to ongoing war tensions while adding seats on flights from London Paris Zurich in response surging demand European routes are expected help offset losses Middle East cargo operations face broader financial pressures fuel insurance costs.
Cathay Pacific has extended flight suspensions from and to Dubai until May 31 due to ongoing conflict in the Middle East but will not charge customers who wish to change or cancel their bookings on these routes instead offering extra flights between Hong Kong, Paris, Zurich. The carrier also announced additional London service starting March while doubling fuel surcharges amid rising oil prices caused by regional tensions that began with US and Israeli strikes against Iran earlier this month.
Cathay Pacific has extended flight suspensions between Dubai and Riyadh until May 31 due to ongoing conflict in the Middle East while offering free rebooking or rerouting options without refunds for affected passengers. In response, the carrier is doubling fuel surcharges on most routes but adding extra flights from Hong Kong to Paris, Zurich, London, other European cities as well as alternative regions amid rising demand and soaring oil prices caused by regional tensions.
Cathay Pacific has suspended all scheduled passenger service between Hong Kong and Dubai or Riyadh through May 2026 due to the ongoing conflict, offering rebooking options for affected travelers while simultaneously increasing flight capacity on routes serving Paris, Zurich, London, and other European destinations.