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 May 8, 2026 at 10am PST

Middle East flight disruptions remain fluid, though conditions have stabilized modestly compared to the peak of the recent escalation. The extended temporary ceasefire has helped reduce the immediate risk of a broader regional conflict, allowing some carriers to cautiously resume limited operations through select corridors. However, the agreement remains fragile, and airlines continue to operate under heightened security protocols with significant restrictions still in place across portions of the region. Airspace closures and controlled routing remain active in several key areas, preventing a full normalization of flight activity.

While some countries have reopened portions of their airspace, operational recovery remains uneven. Airlines are still avoiding higher-risk corridors, and many flights continue to operate on extended routings to bypass restricted areas. Gulf carriers have gradually restored portions of their passenger and cargo schedules, but overall regional capacity remains well below normal seasonal levels. International carriers continue to take a conservative approach, with many maintaining reduced frequencies or temporary suspensions into key Middle East gateways until conditions show longer-term stability.

The broader aviation market is also continuing to feel the downstream impact of these disruptions. Asia–Europe and Europe–Middle East trade lanes remain the most heavily affected, with rerouting adding significant flight time and operational costs. Longer sectors are increasing fuel burn and reducing usable payload on some long-haul services, particularly freighter operations. Congestion at alternative hub airports outside the conflict zone also remains elevated as carriers continue to consolidate traffic through safer routing structures.

Fuel markets have eased slightly compared to the initial spike seen during the height of the conflict, but volatility remains a major concern throughout the industry. Oil prices remain highly reactive to any developments surrounding the ceasefire or military activity in the region. Airlines are therefore continuing to manage networks cautiously, avoiding aggressive capacity restoration until both fuel markets and geopolitical conditions show sustained stability. This has slowed the pace of recovery despite the temporary reduction in tensions.

For air freight, market conditions remain tight and unpredictable. Capacity remains constrained across several major east-west trade lanes due to continued airspace limitations and operational inefficiencies. Spot pricing remains elevated and volatile, particularly for time-sensitive cargo and long-haul freight requiring rerouted services. Transit times also remain inconsistent as airlines continue adjusting schedules around evolving operational restrictions and airspace availability.

At this stage, the market is showing gradual improvement, but a full recovery remains unlikely in the near term. Airlines and logistics providers continue to operate with a high degree of caution, and conditions can still shift quickly depending on geopolitical developments. Flexibility in routing, planning, and booking remains critical as the industry continues navigating an unstable operating environment.

Airspace closed: 

  • Iran (closed)
  • Saudi Arabia (partial)
  • UAE (partial)
  • Qatar (partial)
  • Bahrain (partial)
  • Syria (restricted)
  • Kuwait (restricted)
  • Jordan airspace reopened
  • Azerbaijan (south sector closed)
  • Iraq (reopened with operational restrictions and rerouting still in effect)
  • Isreal (remains closed with exception of military flights and civilian operators)

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 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 July 11
    • Tel Aviv through June 30
    • 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, Riyadh, and Tel Aviv until May 31.

QATAR AIRWAYS

  • 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
  • Effective May 7, introducing a weekly freighter to Baghdad (BGW)
  • Effective May 10, will operate twice weekly passenger flights to Baghdad (BGW)

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 12
  • 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 Riyadh are suspended until 19th May 2026.
  • Flights between London and Dubai, Doha and Tel Aviv are suspended until end of June 2026.
  • Flights between London and Amman, Abu Dhabi and Bahrain are suspended until October 2026.
  • Flights between Madrid and Doha are suspended until June 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 are suspended.

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

  • The Hong Kong airline has suspended flights to Dubai and Riyadh until June 30 and cargo freighter services to ​Dubai and Riyadh until May 31. It plans to operate all scheduled flights beyond June.

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.
  • 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

  • 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.
  • The airline noted that its current network operating from Bahrain International Airport includes Riyadh, London Heathrow, Jeddah, Muscat, Dubai, Nairobi, Lahore, Dhaka, Islamabad, and Istanbul. Services to and from Abu Dhabi are set to resume in April 2026, with flights to and from Delhi, Mumbai, Thiruvananthapuram, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, Paris, Frankfurt, and Bangkok commencing from 21 April 2026.
  • From 1 May 2026, Gulf Air will resume services to and from Doha, Bangalore, Goa, Munich, Moscow, Milan, Athens, Casablanca, Cairo, Manila, the Maldives, Colombo, Kuwait, Madinah, Dammam, Karachi, and Amman. From 15 May 2026, flights to and from Manchester, Rome, Guangzhou, and Singapore will also resume.
  • From 1 June 2026, Gulf Air will reinstate services to and from London Gatwick, Larnaca, Baku, Tbilisi, Shanghai, New York, and Al-Qassim. In addition, the airline will launch its summer 2026 seasonal destinations, comprising Geneva, Málaga, Nice, and El Alamein.

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 Aug 2.

CHALLENGE AIRLINES

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



OCEAN UPDATES

Last updated May 12, 2026, at 10am PST

Ocean Freight Market Update:
Geopolitical tensions across the Middle East continue to create instability within global ocean freight markets, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, Red Sea, and Gulf regions. Carriers remain cautious as security concerns, vessel incidents, and elevated war-risk conditions persist.

Many ocean carriers are still maintaining contingency routing strategies, including Cape of Good Hope diversions, selective Red Sea transits, feeder alternatives into Upper Gulf ports, and ongoing operational advisories. These disruptions continue to impact vessel schedules, equipment positioning, transit reliability, and overall network efficiency.

The market is also experiencing continued surcharge pressure, including war-risk, operational, and contingency-related charges, along with restrictions on select reefer and hazardous cargo movements into parts of the Middle East.

While carriers continue operating globally, customers should expect ongoing schedule variability and operational adjustments as the situation evolves.

What this means for shippers:

  • Increased risk of vessel rerouting and schedule adjustments

  • Potential transit delays on select global trade lanes

  • Rising operational costs impacting carrier networks worldwide

  • Continued volatility across ocean freight markets as conditions evolve

While cargo is still moving globally, the situation remains fluid and supply chains may continue to experience periodic disruption over the coming weeks.

Radiant continues to actively monitor market conditions and work closely with our global partners and carrier network to help customers navigate challenges, minimize disruption where possible, and identify the best available solutions for their supply chain needs.

Questions or concerns?

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