KLM cancels all flights to Dubai, Riyadh and Dammam until March 28 amid Middle East unrest; aircraft departs Dubai without passengers

Dutch carrier KLM Royal Dutch Airlāines has announced multiple flight cancellations to destinations in the Middle East as geopolitical tensions in the region continue to affect aviation operations. The airline confirmed that flights to Dubai, Riyadh and Dammam will remain suspended for several weeks as it continues to monitor the evolving security situation.

Dubai flights cancelled until March 28

According to the airline’s latest advisory, all KLM flights to and from Dubai have been cancelled until March 28. The airline said the decision was taken due to ongoing unrest in the Middle East and emphasised that passenger and crew safety remains its top priority.






Passengers whose flights have been cancelled will be informed directly by the airline. Affected travellers can rebook their tickets free of charge or request a refund through the airline’s ‘My Trip’ service.

KLM added that it is maintaining close contact with authorities and will provide updates as soon as more information becomes available regarding the resumption of services.

Read more: Amid travel disruptions, this woman finds herself the only passenger on Dubai flight, calls it a ‘private jet’ experience

Flights to Riyadh and Dammam suspended

The airline has also extended the suspension of flights to Riyadh and Dammam. Initially, KLM had cancelled services to the two Saudi cities until March 14, but the airline later confirmed that flights will now remain suspended through March 28.

The airline said the decision was made in response to ongoing geopolitical developments in the region. As with the Dubai cancellations, affected passengers will be notified and provided with flexible rebooking or refund options.

Aircraft departs Dubai without passengers

In a separate update issued on March 12, KLM confirmed that one of its Boeing 787 aircraft, which had been stationed at Dubai Airport since February 28, has departed for the Netherlands.

The airline said the flight was carefully planned after assessing safety conditions. Additional measures were implemented to ensure the safe operation of the aircraft. Although the airline would have preferred to transport passengers on the flight, it concluded that doing so was not responsible under the current circumstances.

Read more: Delhi Airport advisory: Some westbound flights may see delays or schedule changes; urges travellers to monitor flight updates

Repatriation assistance available

KLM said it remains available to assist with repatriation efforts for stranded travellers. These operations are being coordinated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands.

The airline stated that it will notify customers as soon as flight operations can safely restart and that it is still keeping a close eye on events in the area.

Travelers are advised to ensure that they stay informed, and keep checking official airline channels and verify the status of their flights before making travel plans as the Middle East scenario continues to evolve.