Western airlines cancel Middle East flights over fears of US strike on Iran

Several major international airlines have suspended flights to key destinations in the Middle East amid rising fears of a possible military conflict between the United States and Iran, media reports said on Saturday.

Airlines including Lufthansa, Air France, Swiss Air, United Airlines, KLM and Air Canada have paused services to destinations such as Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, as carriers react to growing geopolitical tensions in the region.

The wave of cancellations began on Friday evening, coming soon after US President Donald Trump warned of a naval “armada” moving toward the region.

Trump has repeatedly rattled regional nerves by threatening military action if Tehran does not comply with US demands, heightening unease about aviation safety over Middle Eastern airspace. 

Carriers have not given exact dates for restoring normal schedules, and several have pointed to the heightened security situation as the reason behind the move. Some airlines are avoiding the airspace altogether as a precautionary measure until tensions ease. 

The situation has put pressure on international flight operations, with passengers warned that additional cancellations or route changes could happen depending on how the diplomatic and military situation develops.

Global aviation regulators have also stressed the need for airlines to monitor the situation closely, given the “hazardous circumstances” in parts of Iranian and surrounding airspace.