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MIDDLE EAST
INDUSTRY DISRUPTIONS

The Middle East War is a rapidly evolving situation, with impact on supply chains remaining fluid.

The Radiant Network remains committed to providing our customers with customized supply chain solutions that deliver, whatever the challenge.

The coming days will require expertise in creative solutions for successful movement in and out of affected areas. These updates illustrate the need to ensure your supply chain partner is well versed in both international and domestic out-of-the-box solutions.

The Radiant Network will continue to work with valued customers: past, present and future alike, on providing assistance and problem solving for these current challenges.

If you have questions or concerns with freight or with your supply chain, please reach out to your account executive from the Radiant Network. 

This page will be updated with new information as it becomes available. 

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AIR UPDATES
OCEAN UPDATES

AIR UPDATES

Last updated July 30, 2026 at 10am PST

The anticipated recovery in the Middle East air freight market has slowed as renewed military activity continues to delay the return of airline capacity. Recent attacks on Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea and renewed U.S. threats of military action against Iran have heightened concerns that the conflict could expand beyond the Strait of Hormuz. At the same time, Houthi forces have threatened shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, raising the risk of disruption at a second critical global trade chokepoint.

These developments have pushed oil prices above $100 per barrel, increasing pressure on global energy markets and making it likely that airline fuel surcharges will remain elevated. Continued instability across key maritime and aviation corridors is also contributing to higher operating costs and ongoing uncertainty for carriers.

As a result, what had been expected to be a gradual recovery in regional air capacity has once again been delayed. Several international passenger airlines have postponed the resumption of flights to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Riyadh, Beirut, and Tel Aviv into late summer or even October. While Gulf carriers continue to operate, many foreign airlines remain cautious, delaying the return of belly cargo capacity.

The cargo market is seeing a similar trend. Cathay Cargo has postponed the restart of its Middle East freighter operations, joining carriers such as Cargolux in delaying planned service resumptions due to ongoing security concerns. This will keep dedicated freighter capacity into the Gulf tighter than previously anticipated.

While cargo continues to move throughout the region, airlines remain focused on operational resilience rather than network expansion. Capacity is expected to remain constrained, transit times may continue to fluctuate, and pricing volatility is likely to persist until the geopolitical situation stabilizes. Customers should continue booking critical shipments early and remain flexible with routing and transit expectations as market conditions remain highly fluid.

Current Airline Updates:

CARGOLUX:

  • Temporary suspension and acceptance of all freight bound for the Middle East until further notice, with the exception of Muscat.

  • Planned restart to DWC has been placed on hold until further notice.

AIR FRANCE/KLM/MARTINAIR:

  • Suspended following flights:

    • Air France: Riyadh Until August 8

    • Air France: Dubai Until August 11-12

    • Air France: Beirut Until August 18

    • KLM: Tel Aviv Until August 9-10

    • KLM: Dubai Until September 6

    • KLM: Riyadh Until September 6

    • KLM: Dammam Until September 6

    • Martinair: Dubai Until further notice 

LUFTHANSA 

  • Due to the volatile situation in the Middle East and for operational reasons the Lufthansa Group Airlines will continue to suspend flights to the following destinations.
    • Dubai through September 13
    • Tel Aviv gradually restarted
    • Amman through October 24
    • Beirut through October 24
    • Dammam through October 24
    • Riyadh through October 24
    • Erbil through October 24
    • Muscat through October 24
    • Tehran through October 24
  • Lufthansa is canceling 20,000 flights through October 2026, largely due to soaring jet fuel prices and shortages caused by the conflict. The cancellations focus on short-haul European routes and older aircraft, with around 120 daily flights already impacted, including routes from Frankfurt.

ITA AIRWAYS

  • Suspended flights to and from:

    • Dubai until October 24

    • Riyadh until September 15

  • Anticipating Tel Aviv to resume starting July 1

QATAR AIRWAYS

  • A temporary embargo is currently in place on all products to Bahrain (BAH), Erbil (EBL) and Kuwait (KWI) until 31 July 2026.
  • Qatar Airways Cargo has published its latest schedule, reflecting the resumption of freighter and belly operations to and from Doha.
  • Qatar Airways Cargo will resume twice weekly freighter flights to Dubai World Central (DWC) on 26 April, and three times weekly Sharjah (SHJ) flights on 1 May. Qatar Airways will also resume daily passenger flights to Dubai (DXB) and Sharjah (SHJ).
  • Freighter destinations will increase to over 50 as of 1 May, while our passenger / belly-hold network will continue its expansion to over 150 destinations from 16 June.
  • The embargo on VIC – Q‑Prime Urgent Critical Cargo has been lifted as of 23 April, allowing for the highest priority on capacity-restrained flights and continuous monitoring provided by Qatar Airways Cargo’s Control Tower.
  • The following products will be available effective 1 May with bookings currently available:
    • QRLIV* – special handling codes AVF, AVM and DOC
    • LHO – live human organs and blood

UNITED

  • Flights to and from Tel Aviv and Dubai have been suspended until further notice.

EMIRATES

  • Following the partial reopening of regional airspace, Emirates has resumed passenger and freighter operations, with services now stabilizing across the network and cargo flows operating smoothly.

  • Customers may continue to plan and book shipments on available flights, subject to capacity. Transit cargo via Dubai (DXB/DWC) will be accepted where onward connections are confirmed and operational.

  • The updated list of passenger and freighter destinations for the month of April is available on the links below:

  • In addition, a scheduled Road Feeder Service (RFS) operation twice weekly has been introduced to Muscat (MCT), Bahrain (BAH), and Kuwait (KWI). Customers are requested to liaise with their local Emirates SkyCargo offices for booking and operational requirements related to these services.

  • Flight schedules remain subject to change and regulatory approvals. Customers are advised to contact their local Emirates SkyCargo office for the latest updates on schedules, capacity, and requirements.

  • Restrictions still in place:

    • Class 1 Dangerous Goods remain restricted to and from the EK network.

ETIHAD

  • Etihad Airways is currently operating a limited commercial flight schedule between Abu Dhabi and a number of key destinations.
  • Limited number of repositioning, cargo, and repatriation flights are operating.
  • Please check online schedule or local sales office to confirm capacity and service
  • The United Arab Emirates carrier said it is operating ​a commercial flight schedule between Abu Dhabi and around 80 destinations.

AIR CANADA

  •  All flights to and from Dubai and Tel Aviv are suspended until further notice.

DHL
  • All flights to and from Middle East are temporarily suspended until further notice with the exception of the resumptions below:
    • BAH, DXB, DWC, AUH, SHJ, MCT currently open
    • Perishable now acceptable to DWC, DXB. and MCT
    • DG acceptable to all open ME destinations

IAG

  • Flights between London and Doha are suspended until end of August 2026.
  • Flights between London and Riyadh are suspended until September 2026.
  • Flights between London and Amman, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Dubai and Tel Aviv are suspended until October 2026.
  • Flights between Madrid and Doha are suspended until end of August 2026.
  • Flights between London and Larnaca are operating on a reduced schedule.
  • Flights between London and Jeddah are suspended.

TURKISH

  • Flights to Dubai fully restored June 9.

  • Flights to Abu Dhabi starting July 1.

  • Flights to Doha fully restored.

  • While some flights to Amman and Beirut have resumed, operations remain subject to schedule adjustments.

SILKWAY

  • All scheduled destinations have resumed with the exception of Kuwait.

CATHAY

  • Plans to resume daily PAX flights to Dubai and Riyadh postponed to Oct 26.
  • Freighter service to Riyadh postponed. No ETA for resumption.

VIRGIN

  • Service to and from DXB has been suspended for the season. Planned return Winter 2026.

  • Services to and from Riyadh are now cancelled indefinitely.

  • The situation remains dynamic, and they are actively monitoring. Confirm with local sales and customer service before booking.

FINNAIR

  • Flights suspended to Dubai.

  • Finnair also announced it will not operate flights to Doha for the upcoming 2026-27 Winter Schedule.

AIR INDIA

  • Flights resumed to/from Jeddah and Muscat.
  • Other Middle East destinations remain suspended, they are operating a number of non-scheduled flights to support stranded passengers.
  • Trimming long haul flights up to 12% between now and end of July 2026 due to surge in jet-fuel prices and detours by the conflict.
    • Cuts affect marquee routes such as Delhi-New York, Mumbai-London, and Bengaluru-San Fransisco

GULF AIR

  • Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, has announced a near-full return to normal operations, with 75% of its global network and destinations reinstated. Over the past several weeks, the airline has gradually resumed services across the Middle East, Europe, Indian Subcontinent, and Africa, resuming services to more destinations and reconnecting an increasing number of passengers through the Kingdom of Bahrain.
  • Gulf Air confirmed that flight frequency continues to grow, with services now operating across 40 destinations in 24 countries, representing 75% of network, underlining the airline’s swift and structured return to full operations. Gulf Air continues to add flights and increase daily frequencies across its network in a phased approach leading to full restoration by 1 June 2026.

ROYAL JORDANIAN

  •  Flights will resume as long as airspace remains open. Flights have been cancelled to any closed airspace.

SINGAPORE AIRLINES

  •  SQ494 and SQ495 to and from Dubai suspended until Oct 24.

CHALLENGE AIRLINES

  •  Continuing to operate full flight schedule despite current Middle East disruptions.



OCEAN UPDATES

Last updated July 30, 2026, at 10am PST

The security environment across the Middle East remains dynamic, with renewed Houthi activity this week adding further uncertainty to vessel operations through the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb Strait. While the major shipping lanes remain open, carriers continue to assess risk on a voyage-by-voyage basis, resulting in ongoing operational adjustments and cost pressures across the region.

Market Highlights:

  • Several carriers continue to evaluate routing decisions based on current security conditions, with some services maintaining diversions around the Cape of Good Hope while others continue transiting the Red Sea under enhanced security measures.

  • Emergency Risk, Security, and Fuel Surcharges remain in effect across many trade lanes, with additional surcharge adjustments announced by some carriers effective August.

  • Transit times continue to fluctuate as carriers modify schedules and routing to maintain service reliability while prioritizing crew and vessel safety.

  • Space availability remains generally stable for standard cargo; however, specialized equipment, hazardous cargo, and time-sensitive shipments may require additional planning and lead time.

 

There has been no widespread disruption to carrier networks at this time; however, the operating environment remains fluid, and conditions can change quickly. As carriers continue to evaluate security risks, routing decisions, transit times, and applicable surcharges may be adjusted with limited notice. Maintaining schedule flexibility and planning shipments in advance will help minimize potential supply chain disruptions.

Questions or Concerns?

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