KLM has suspended flights to Israel and Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, amid heightened regional security risks. [Getty]
Dutch airline KLM has suspended flights to Tel Aviv, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates amid heightened regional tensions, according to media reports on Friday.
Israel’s Channel 12 said the cancellations were announced without an explanation or indication of how long the suspension would remain in place.
KLM later told Dutch public broadcaster NOS that it would also avoid flying through the airspace of Iraq, Iran, Israel and several Gulf countries.
The move follows similar decisions by other airlines.
Last week, Germany’s Lufthansa Group said it had restricted flights to parts of the Middle East, citing concerns over a potential escalation between the United States and Iran.
However, Air France resumed flights to Dubai on Saturday after briefly suspending services the previous day due to the deteriorating geopolitical situation.
The airline said it was “constantly monitoring the evolution of the geopolitical situation in the territories served and overflown by its aircraft” to ensure “the highest level of safety and security” for its operations.
“Air France is monitoring the situation in real time and will provide further updates on its flight schedule,” the carrier added.
The latest developments come amid heightened tensions following comments by US President Donald Trump on Thursday, in which he warned Iran that an “armada” of warships was heading towards the Gulf and said Washington was closely watching Tehran.
The remarks contrasted with his earlier comments, in which he appeared to play down the likelihood of imminent military action, and suggested Iran was open to talks.
Pressure on Iran from the United States and Israel has intensified since nationwide protests broke out in late December over worsening economic conditions and living standards, posing a challenge to the country’s clerical leadership under Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.