Cathay Pacific extends flight suspensions to Dubai and Riyadh until March 31

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.

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Stranded passengers amid flight cancellations at a UAE airport during Middle East airspace crisis from Iran airstrikes.
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Middle East airspace crisis: Extended airline suspensions and relief flights as of March 5

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Airspace restrictions across the Middle East, ongoing since US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran began on February 28, 2026, continue to disrupt aviation. Following initial suspensions reported earlier this week, over 13,000 flights have now been canceled, stranding more than 20,000 passengers in the UAE alone. Gulf carriers like Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad have extended halts, while launching limited relief flights from alternative hubs amid persistent safety concerns.

US-Israeli strikes on Iran have grounded at least 37 flights between Hong Kong and the Middle East. Flag carrier Cathay Pacific has suspended its Dubai services until Thursday and Riyadh flights until Tuesday. The airline is offering affected customers flexibility to rebook, divert or refund tickets without usual fees until Saturday.

Imeripotiwa na AI

A joint US-Israeli attack on Iran has led to the cancellation or delay of at least 27 flights from Hong Kong to Middle East destinations, stranding hundreds of travellers at the city's airport. The Hong Kong government has issued a fresh warning against travel to Iran amid the strikes. Cathay Pacific has suspended all operations in the region.

A week of US-Israeli attacks on Iran and retaliatory strikes into Gulf states has kept much of the Middle East’s airspace closed, driving global airfare surges as airlines reroute flights. This ongoing crisis, following initial disruptions to Gulf hubs like Dubai, has hit Cathay Pacific hardest, with an SCMP analysis showing average 93% jumps in fares to Hong Kong from 57 destinations worldwide.

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Indonesia's Transportation Ministry assures that international flights continue operating amid Middle East tensions. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation denies reports of a full suspension.

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East, involving U.S. and Israeli air assaults on Iran and Iranian retaliatory strikes, has led to widespread flight suspensions by regional airlines. Oil prices have surged over 10% to more than $75 per barrel due to the shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz. Analysts predict potential increases in airfares as airlines face higher fuel costs.

Imeripotiwa na AI

Cebu Pacific has announced cancellations and reductions in international flights due to global fuel prices more than doubling from 2025 averages. Affected routes include those from Davao, Iloilo, Clark, and Manila to various destinations. Passengers have reported disruptions on a March 22 flight.

 

 

 

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