Due to the massive escalation of the security situation in the Middle East, Finnish airline Finnair has cancelled all flights to Doha and Dubai until March 28, 2026.
The decision follows a directive from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) prohibiting European airlines from using the airspace of numerous countries in the region. These include Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Jaakko Schildt, Chief Operating Officer of Finnair, justified the move by citing the unavoidable priority of flight safety, following reports of missile attacks and the denial of landings at airports in the region that had caused concern.
Repatriating stranded passengers is proving extremely difficult, as alternative flight routes and capacities are almost entirely exhausted due to widespread lockdowns. While some regional carriers, such as Qatar Airways, have suspended operations until at least March 6, European airlines are currently exploring emergency routes via third countries. One potential option is the use of Muscat Airport in Oman, which, along with Dubai, has become one of the few remaining hubs. However, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is currently advising against flights to Muscat, which is why Finnair is only considering resuming this connection if there is a significant improvement in the security situation.
In coordination with the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, options for land transport from the United Arab Emirates to Oman are currently being examined. In this case, travelers would have to cross the border by land to be evacuated from Muscat. However, reports of bottlenecks and restrictive border controls at the Omani border are significantly complicating these plans. Finnair points out that customers traveling independently to functioning airports can coordinate a rebooking through customer service. Hotel costs incurred during the waiting period can be submitted for reimbursement, provided the accommodation was arranged independently.
The crisis is severely impacting international air traffic between Europe and Asia, as the closure of key corridors in the Middle East is forcing airlines to take extensive detours. This not only significantly increases flight times but also reduces available seat capacity across the entire network. With further cancellations occurring daily, the situation remains uncertain for thousands of travelers. Airlines are legally obligated to provide alternative transportation, but the de facto shutdown of almost the entire region is pushing them to their operational limits.