KLM extends suspension of Dubai, Riyadh, Dammam flights until May 17

A KLM Airlines plane takes off at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) in San Francisco, California, United States on September 15, 2022. [Tayfun Coşkun – Anadolu Agency]

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines said Thursday that it will not resume flights to Dubai, Riyadh, and Dammam until May 17, citing safety considerations as the US-Israeli war on Iran continues, Anadolu reports.

The Dutch carrier said the safety of its passengers and crew remains its top priority, and that it continues to closely monitor the situation while staying in contact with relevant authorities.

Previously, the carrier announced that it had halted flights to Dammam, Riyadh, and Dubai until March 28, and to Tel Aviv until April 11.

The move comes as several major international airlines have also extended flight suspensions to key Gulf destinations due to the ongoing regional security tensions.

British Airways, Cathay Pacific, and Aegean Airlines are among carriers that have prolonged suspensions to some Gulf hubs until at least April or May, while Eurowings has extended some cancellations as far as late June.

KLM did not disclose how many flights or passengers would be affected by the extended suspension.