Cathay Pacific Cancels Dubai and Riyadh Flights Until May 31

Hong Kong's flagship carrier has pushed its Dubai and Riyadh cancellations all the way to the end of May, leaving passengers with months of uncertainty and no direct service between Hong Kong and two of the Gulf's busiest travel hubs.

Cathay Pacific announced on March 24 that all passenger flights to and from Dubai and Riyadh are canceled up to and including May 31, 2026. The airline cited the volatile situation in the Middle East and said safety remains its first priority. Affected passengers can rebook, reroute, or request full refunds with no fees charged.

The airline first suspended its Gulf services on February 28, the same day US and Israeli forces launched joint strikes on Iran under Operation Epic Fury. The cancellation has since been extended multiple times, with the latest update pushing the cutoff nearly three months out from the original suspension date.

Cathay Pacific Dubai Flight Cancellations: What Passengers Need to Know

Travelers with existing bookings to Dubai or Riyadh on Cathay Pacific have until May 31, 2026, to rebook or reroute without penalty. The airline said eligible passengers can move their travel to new dates up to July 31 under its flexible ticket conditions. Those who prefer not to travel can request a full cash refund. Cathay Pacific advises that refunds typically take up to seven calendar days to process, though some cases may take longer.

Passengers who booked through travel agents or third-party platforms should contact their original booking channel first. The airline's Manage Booking portal handles most self-service changes, but rerouting through partner carriers requires direct contact with Cathay Pacific's customer care team.

For those who still need to reach Dubai, alternative routings are available through hubs like Singapore, Bangkok, or Istanbul, all of which remain largely unaffected by Gulf airspace disruptions.

Global Airlines Pull Dubai Routes as Middle East Airspace Remains Unsafe

Cathay Pacific is far from alone. British Airways has extended cancellations to Dubai and Bahrain through May 31 and to Doha through April 30, while Abu Dhabi services remain suspended until later this year. IAG Cargo has similarly halted London flights to multiple Gulf cities through June.

Lufthansa Group airlines suspended flights to Dubai and several other Gulf destinations, while KLM extended its Dubai suspension through late March before reassessing. Japan Airlines and Singapore Airlines are also among the carriers that have pulled back from key Gulf routes.

Meanwhile, Dubai-based Emirates is operating on a reduced schedule, and Abu Dhabi's Etihad has restarted limited long-haul services with caution. Qatar Airways remains significantly constrained due to ongoing restrictions on Qatari airspace.

On the cargo side, Cathay Pacific also confirmed the suspension of all freighter flights between Hong Kong and Dubai's Al Maktoum International Airport through the same period.

In a sign of where demand is shifting, Cathay Pacific said it will add three extra return flights each to Paris and Zurich and upgrade 13 existing London services in April to meet rising demand on European routes, as travelers look for alternatives that avoid the affected airspace.

The airline said it continues to monitor the situation closely and will remain agile as conditions develop.