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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 April 24, 2026 at 10am PST

Middle East flight disruptions remain fluid and only partially stabilized following recent geopolitical tensions. Several key areas remain closed or heavily restricted. Even in regions that have technically reopened, flight activity is operating at significantly reduced levels due to ongoing safety concerns and controlled air traffic corridors.

Airlines across the globe continue to adjust their operations accordingly. Major international carriers have reduced or suspended service into key Middle Eastern hubs, while Gulf carriers are operating at reduced capacity with a focus on essential passenger, cargo, and repatriation flights. As a result, overall network capacity throughout the region remains well below normal levels.

The temporary ceasefire in the Middle East has now been extended beyond its initial two-week window, providing a degree of short-term stability across the region. However, the extension remains conditional and fragile, with continued military presence and enforcement measures still in place. While the risk of immediate large-scale escalation has eased, the situation remains highly sensitive, and the agreement has not resulted in a full reopening of airspace or a return to normal operating conditions.

Even with the ceasefire in place, fuel markets remain volatile, with oil briefly exceeding $100/barrel before pulling back following the extension—highlighting how sensitive the situation remains to any breakdown. The ceasefire extension has helped stabilize conditions, but it has not triggered a meaningful recovery. Airlines continue to operate cautiously, holding back from significant capacity increases due to ongoing airspace restrictions, security concerns, and inefficient routing structures. Fuel markets also remain volatile, reinforcing a conservative approach across carriers and limiting near-term improvements in network efficiency.

For air freight, the impact continues to be significant. The loss and restriction of key overflight corridors has forced widespread rerouting, particularly across Asia–Europe and transatlantic lanes. These diversions are increasing transit times, driving higher fuel consumption, and in many cases requiring payload restrictions on long-haul sectors. The result is sustained pressure on airfreight rates, tighter capacity, and increased pricing volatility, further compounded by congestion at alternative hub airports outside the region.

At this stage, conditions are improving gradually, but the situation remains unpredictable. We recommend continued flexibility in planning and booking, as well as early coordination to secure capacity and mitigate potential disruptions.

Airspace closed: Saudi Arabia (partial), UAE (partial), Iran, Iraq, Isreal (remains closed with exception of military flights and civilian operators), Qatar (partial), Bahrain (partial), Syria, and Kuwait, Jordan airspace reopened, Azerbaijan (south sector closed).

Current Airline Updates:

  • CARGOLUX: 

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

  • AIR FRANCE/KLM/MARTINAIR:

    • Air France: Dubai (DXB), Riyadh (RUH), Beirut (BEY) and Tel Aviv (TLV) suspended.

    • KLM: Dubai (DXB), Riyadh (RUH), Dammam (DMM) and Tel Aviv (TLV) suspended.

    • Martinair: Dubai (DWC) and Cairo (CAI) suspended.

    • No booking accepted for these destinations until further notice.

  • LUFTHANSA 

    • Due to ongoing volatile situation in the Middle East, as well as for operational reasons, Lufthansa Cargo will, together with the airlines of the Lufthansa Group, suspend numerous flights to the Middle East through October 24. Exceptions are flights to and from Tel Aviv, as well as flights to and from Dubai, which are suspended through May 31.

      • Specifically, this means that Lufthansa Group will suspend all freighter flights to and from:

        • Tel Aviv through May 31.

        • Beirut through October 24.

    • At the same time, the passenger airlines of Lufthansa Group will suspend all flights to and from:

      • Dubai through May 31.

      • Tel Aviv through May 31.

      • Abu Dhabi through October 24.

      • Amman through October 24.

      • Beirut through October 24.

      • Damman through October 24.

      • Erbil through October 24.

      • Muscat through October 24.

      • Riyadh through October 24 (ITA: through April 30).

      • Teheran through October 24.

  • ITA AIRWAYS

    • Suspended flights to and from Riyadh and Tel Aviv until May 10.

    • Flights to and from Dubai suspended until May 31.

  • QATAR AIRWAYS

    • Qatar Airways Cargo has published its latest updated schedule, gradually increasing its freighter operations to and from Doha. All flights to and from Doha continue to operate through dedicated flight corridors, established in close coordination with Qatar Civil Aviation Authority. In parallel, Qatar Airways Cargo continues to operate the wider freighter network outside Doha, ensuring uninterrupted access to major global trade lanes and maintaining capacity across its international network.

    • Resumes selected freighter operations to and from Doha following temporary authorization from the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority.

      • Commodity Restrictions:

        • LHO - Living Human Organs and Blood

        • VIC - Q Prime Urgent Critical Cargo

        • QRLIV* - Special handling codes AVF, AVM and DOC

    • Please click here to view the most recent schedule.

    • Effective April 23, Qatar Airways has announced resumption of daily flights to Dubai and Sharjah. Daily service to Damascus to commence on Friday, May 1.

  • 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.

    • Planned flight resumption to Beirut starting May 1.

  • 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.

       

  • IAG

    • Flights between London and Riyadh are suspended until 18th May 2026.
    • Flights between London and Dubai, Doha and Tel Aviv are suspended until end of June 2026.
    • Flights between London and Amman and Bahrain are suspended until October 2026.
    • Flights between London and Abu Dhabi are suspended until October 2026.
    • Flights between Madrid and Doha are suspended until 30th April 2026.
    • Flights between Madrid and Tel Aviv are suspended until 1st June 2026.
    • Flights between London and Larnaca are operating on a reduced schedule.
    • Flights between London and Jeddah continue to operate as scheduled until 24 April 2026.

       

  • TURKISH

    •  Most flights to and from Bahrain, Dammam, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Syria, and UAE are suspended until further notice. Check online flight schedule for most up to date flights and cancellations.

  • SILKWAY

    • Flights suspended to Iraq, Tel Aviv, Kuwait.

    • Any freight in transit, will be held at terminal hub in GYD until routing restrictions are lifted.

    • Flights to Dubai resumed.

    • RFS tariff being created for DWC to DMM, RUH, JED, and MCT.

  • CATHAY

    • Due to recent developments in the Middle East and the closure of certain airspace in the region, Cathay Group has suspended all operations in the Middle East. This includes passenger services to and from Dubai and Riyadh (from 28 February 2026 up to and including 31 May 2026, as well as freighter services to and from Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) in Dubai. Flights that would normally transit the affected area are being rerouted.

  • 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 and Doha for remainder of 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.

  • GULF AIR

    • Due to the airspace closure in Bahrain, Gulf Air's scheduled services to and from Bahrain International Airport remain temporarily suspended. The airline currently operates temporary commercial flights to and from Bahrain via King Fahd International Airport in Dammam.

    • Regular scheduled services will resume once the Bahrain Civil Aviation Affairs confirms the safe reopening of the airspace.

  • 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 May 31.

  • CHALLENGE AIRLINES

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



OCEAN UPDATES

Global ocean freight markets remain dynamic, with conditions primarily shaped by geopolitical disruption and carrier cost management strategies rather than a meaningful shift in underlying demand.

Carriers continue to avoid Red Sea routings, maintaining diversions via the Cape of Good Hope, which is extending transit times and increasing fuel consumption across global trade lanes. While there are early indications of potential de-escalation, a return to normal routing patterns is not expected in the near term, and network disruption will likely persist.

From a pricing standpoint, recent increases across key trade lanes have been largely cost-driven, tied to elevated bunker fuel, and longer voyage distances. According to market benchmarks such as Xeneta, Transpacific rates remain elevated compared to earlier in the year, though momentum is beginning to slow with early signs of stabilization and slight softening on select lanes.

 

  • Market Dynamics & Capacity

    • Carriers remain disciplined in managing supply through blank sailings, service rotations, and selective space allocations.

    • While capacity is not materially constrained, it is being carefully controlled to support rate levels and schedule reliability. Demand remains mixed:

      • China exports continue to show relative softness.

      • Southeast Asia remains stable to strong as sourcing diversification continues.

      • Short-term volume fluctuations persist around period-end shipping cycles.

         

    • This has created a balanced but controlled market environment, where space is generally available, but conditions can shift quickly depending on lane and timing. 

  • Operational Considerations

    • Transit times remain extended and less predictable due to ongoing rerouting.
    • Fuel-related and contingency surcharges remain in place and subject to change.
    • Localized equipment imbalances and transshipment congestion continue to create variability in certain corridors.
    • Carrier schedule reliability remains inconsistent depending on routing and network adjustments.

  • Our Perspective

    • This continues to be a disruption-driven, cost-influenced market, not one supported by strong demand fundamentals.

    • While early signs of stabilization are emerging, volatility remains, and conditions can shift quickly based on geopolitical developments or carrier actions.

    • At Radiant, we remain closely aligned with our carrier partners and global network to:

      • Identify reliable and cost-effective routing solutions.

      • Maintain service consistency despite changing conditions.

      • Provide timely insights to support proactive planning.

Questions or Concerns?

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