Dutch airline KLM has suspended its flights from Amsterdam to Dubai until 27 March because of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The airline originally planned to resume the route this autumn, but said on its website that it has now cancelled those plans.
Flights to the Saudi Arabian cities of Riyadh and Dammam have also been cancelled for longer than expected, with services suspended until 27 November. KLM had previously intended to restart flights to all three Middle Eastern destinations later this month.
The region has experienced heightened tension in recent weeks following attacks by Yemeni Houthi rebels on locations including Riyadh airport. The airport reopened on Sunday after a two-week closure despite ongoing attacks. Saudi Arabia supports the Yemeni government in its fight against the Houthis for control of the country.
KLM has not operated flights to Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, since the start of the year. After pushing back the resumption date by a few months at a time, the airline has now decided to suspend flights for a longer period. A spokesperson said the decision also allows the airline to redeploy aircraft to other destinations.
Many other European airlines have similarly suspended flights to Dubai for an extended period, leaving travellers largely reliant on Emirates, the local carrier. The German airline group Lufthansa planned to resume flights to Dubai this month for the first time since March, but postponed the move by a month last week.
@anp | NEWS BRAINPORT
