"Due to the current situation in the Middle East," Air France has announced that it has decided to temporarily suspend its service to Dubai. (Credit: AFP file photo)
Air France announced Friday evening that it is “temporarily” suspending its service to Dubai due to the geopolitical situation in the Middle East. KLM has also announced the suspension of several routes to the region.
“Due to the current situation in the Middle East, the airline has decided to temporarily suspend its service to Dubai,” Air France said in a statement sent to AFP. The airline added that it is “constantly monitoring the geopolitical situation in the territories served and overflown by its aircraft.”
Air France canceled two Paris–Dubai flights, AF660 and AF658, on Friday. As a result, two return Dubai–Paris flights scheduled for Saturday using the same aircraft were also canceled.
Dutch airline KLM is suspending its flights to Tel Aviv, Dubai, Dammam, and Riyadh, according to Dutch media outlet NOS. While KLM did not specify a reason for the decision, it said the move was made in agreement with Dutch authorities.
Earlier this week, German airline Lufthansa announced it was suspending its flights “to and from Tehran until March 29 inclusive.”
Tensions in the region have risen as the United States has increased pressure on Iran, though the likelihood of military intervention appears to have eased. President Donald Trump said Thursday that a U.S. naval “armada” was on its way to the Gulf. He has repeatedly threatened strikes against Iran in response to the government’s crackdown on recent protests, but appeared to soften his stance last week after saying Tehran had suspended planned executions of protesters.
According to the Pentagon, the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln, previously stationed in the South China Sea, is now heading toward the Gulf.
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