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. 

AIR UPDATES

Last updated April 10, 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.

For air freight, the impact is substantial. The loss of key overflight corridors has forced widespread rerouting, leading to longer transit times, increased fuel consumption, and payload limitations. Combined with increased fuel costs, this has placed pressure on airfreight rates and reduced overall market capacity. Customers should continue to expect delays, higher costs, and limited space availability on lanes transiting or connecting through the Middle East.

With the announcement of a two-week ceasefire, as of Wednesday, February 8, the region’s major airlines have not announced any immediate changes to their schedules following news of the ceasefire. Given the temporary nature of the pause, carriers are expected to remain cautious before making any significant increases.

That said, in recent weeks, airlines including Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways have been gradually rebuilding their networks and schedules. Latest figures show operations at approximately 71%, 65%, and 38% of pre-conflict levels, respectively.

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, Bahrain, 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, which will be suspended only through April 30 (Lufthansa Cargo) and May 31 (Lufthansa Group), as well as flights to and from Dubai through May 31.

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

        • Tel Aviv through April 30.

        • 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.

    • Changes may occur for individual airlines due to the dynamic situation and will be communicated accordingly

  • ITA AIRWAYS

    • Suspended flights to and from Riyadh and Tel Aviv until April 30

    • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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 Amman, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai, and Tel Aviv are suspended until up to and including 31st May 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 Riyadh are suspended until 18th May 2026.

    • Flights between London and Larnaca are operating on a reduced schedule.

    • Flights between London and Jeddah continue to operate as scheduled.

    • Customers are encouraged to check the latest status of their shipments via tracking tool on IAGCargo.com before delivering or collecting freight.

       

  • 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 fluid, with ongoing geopolitical tensions and carrier capacity strategies continuing to shape overall conditions.

Disruptions in the Middle East are still impacting global vessel routing, with carriers continuing to avoid the Red Sea and reroute via the Cape of Good Hope. This is extending transit times and reducing available capacity across multiple trade lanes. At this time, there is no clear timeline for a full return to normal routing.

Carriers are actively managing their networks through blank sailings and service adjustments to maintain schedule reliability and balance capacity.

Market demand remains mixed. China export volumes are relatively soft, while Southeast Asia continues to see steady activity as supply chains diversify. Period-end shipping cycles are also contributing to short-term increases in volume.

Carriers continue to implement fuel related and contingency based surcharges in response to longer routings and increased operating costs.

We recommend planning shipments in advance, allowing flexibility in routing and transit expectations, and maintaining close communication on time-sensitive cargo. Early coordination will be key to navigating ongoing market variability.

 

  • Market Dynamics & Capacity

    • Carriers remain disciplined in managing capacity through blank sailings, service adjustments, and selective space allocations. While demand has shown pockets of short-term strength, particularly tied to end-of-quarter shipping activity, overall volume levels remain mixed depending on origin and commodity. This has created a more balanced, but still controlled, supply-demand environment.

  • Geopolitical Developments

     

    • Ongoing tensions in the Middle East continue to impact global shipping networks. Routing adjustments, elevated fuel costs, and transit disruptions are contributing to increased operational complexity. These factors are also influencing carrier cost structures and may lead to the continued implementation of emergency or fuel-related surcharges with limited notice. 

  • Equipment & Network Fluidity

    • As networks adjust, we are seeing localized equipment imbalances and periodic congestion at key transshipment hubs. These disruptions are not widespread but can create variability in transit times and schedule reliability depending on the routing and carrier selection.

  • Our Perspective

    • At Radiant, we remain closely aligned with our carrier partners and global network to proactively navigate these conditions. Our focus is on maintaining service consistency, identifying reliable routing options, and supporting your teams with timely market insights, and execution strategies.

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