Air France cancels Dubai and Riyadh flights for weeks more as suspensions extended
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Air France has extended the suspension of flights to and from Dubai until 7 November and Riyadh until 12 December 2026, prolonging disruption for passengers travelling between France and the Gulf.
The latest extension, announced on Thursday, 29 October, comes as security concerns continue to affect airline operations across the Middle East. The restrictions cover the French carrier’s services to both destinations, with passengers facing further changes to travel plans as airlines reassess their schedules.
The dates mark the end of the currently announced cancellation periods. They do not guarantee that flights will resume immediately afterwards.
Air France Dubai and Riyadh suspensions extended
Air France first cancelled flights to Dubai and Riyadh on 28 February 2026, following US and Israeli strikes on Iran and the closure of airspace across parts of the region.
The airline has subsequently issued repeated updates as the security situation has evolved. Its March schedule announcement confirmed that both destinations remained suspended at that point, while additional capacity was being deployed to alternative markets in Asia.
More recently, Reuters reported on 20 October that Riyadh services were suspended through 7 November, while Dubai flights remained cancelled through 31 October. Today’s announcement pushes both deadlines further back.
Passengers should check their individual bookings rather than assume that every flight after the published suspension deadline will operate.
Other airlines extend Middle East flight cancellations
Air France’s decision follows extensions announced by several other airlines in recent days and weeks. The measures vary by carrier and destination and were not all announced on 29 October.
| Airline | Affected routes | Flights cancelled until |
|---|---|---|
| KLM | Amsterdam–Dubai | 27 March 2027 |
| KLM | Amsterdam–Riyadh and Dammam | 27 November 2026 |
| IndiGo | India–Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah | 14 November 2026 |
| Air India and Air India Express | India–Riyadh and Dammam | 7 November 2026 |
| Air India and Air India Express | India–Jeddah | 31 October 2026 |
| Akasa Air | Riyadh | 30 November 2026 |
| Akasa Air | Jeddah | 10 November 2026 |
| Lufthansa | Riyadh | 18 November 2026 |
These are airline-specific restrictions. A suspended service does not necessarily mean that the destination airport is closed or that other carriers have stopped operating.
What to do if your flight is cancelled
Check your flight status and booking before leaving for the airport. Contact the operating airline, or your travel agent if you booked through one, to discuss the available alternatives.
For flights covered by EU passenger-rights rules, including Air France-operated services between France and these destinations, passengers whose flights are cancelled can choose between a refund and rerouting. Rerouting can be at the earliest opportunity or at a later convenient date, subject to seat availability.
Passengers awaiting the earliest available alternative may also be entitled to meals, refreshments and, where necessary, accommodation and transport between the airport and hotel. Keep receipts for reasonable expenses if the airline does not provide assistance.
Security risks and airspace restrictions can constitute extraordinary circumstances, meaning additional fixed compensation may not be payable. However, that does not remove the airline’s obligations to offer refunds or rerouting and applicable care.
Before accepting a refund, consider whether you still need the airline to arrange an alternative journey: choosing reimbursement generally ends the entitlement to rerouting under those rules.
