Cathay Pacific Airways has extended the suspension of its flights to Dubai and Riyadh until March 31 amid ongoing instability in the Middle East. The decision follows US-Israeli strikes on Iran earlier this month and prioritizes passenger safety. The airline said it is closely monitoring the situation for possible further schedule changes.
Cathay Pacific Airways announced on Tuesday, March 10, that all services between Hong Kong and Dubai, the commercial hub in the United Arab Emirates, would be cancelled up to March 31. Flights between the city and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, will also be suspended until the end of the month. The move extends an earlier suspension that had been set to run until March 14, following US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28.
“We’re continuing to monitor the situation closely,” Cathay said in a statement. “Further changes to our flight schedule may be needed in the coming days, with the safety of our customers and people being our first priority.”
The decision comes after a week of heightened regional instability that has forced several global airlines to divert flights or avoid certain airspace entirely as a precautionary measure. Cathay emphasized that the safety of passengers and staff remains its top priority.