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 June 19, 2026 at 10am PST

The air freight market is beginning to show signs of stabilization following the recent U.S.-Iran peace agreement and extension of the regional ceasefire. While the agreement marks the most significant step toward de-escalation since the conflict began in February, recovery across aviation and logistics networks remains gradual rather than immediate. Industry participants remain cautiously optimistic, but operational disruptions and capacity constraints continue to impact global supply chains.

The peace framework includes the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, the removal of the U.S. naval blockade, and a 60-day negotiation period intended to establish a longer-term settlement. The agreement has reduced immediate geopolitical risk and helped restore confidence across transportation markets, resulting in lower oil prices and improving business sentiment throughout the region.

From an aviation perspective, airlines have begun cautiously rebuilding schedules. Gulf carriers have steadily restored portions of their passenger and cargo networks, while international carriers are evaluating the return of services previously suspended during the conflict. Regional airspace remains open with varying restrictions, including designated flight corridors, routing limitations, and additional security requirements. As a result, flight activity remains below pre-conflict levels, but capacity is improving week by week.

Key hubs throughout the Gulf—including Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, and Kuwait—have resumed operations, and airlines are gradually increasing frequencies as confidence improves. Qatar Airways has continued restoring its regional network and summer schedule, while other Middle Eastern carriers are following a similarly measured approach. However, most airlines remain reluctant to fully restore capacity until the peace agreement demonstrates longer-term stability.

For air freight, market conditions remain significantly improved compared to the height of the crisis, though they have not returned to normal. Capacity has increased as carriers restore both passenger belly space and freighter operations, resulting in the first meaningful easing of rate pressure seen in months. Nevertheless, airfreight rates remain elevated versus pre-conflict levels, and many emergency fuel and security surcharges remain in place despite falling oil prices. Airlines continue to cite uncertainty surrounding the durability of the peace agreement and ongoing security considerations when making network decisions.

The largest challenge facing the market today is confidence rather than infrastructure. While airspace is largely accessible and carriers are returning capacity, airlines, forwarders, and shippers remain cautious after nearly four months of disruptions. Many operators are maintaining contingency routings, holding capacity buffers, and avoiding aggressive expansion until the ceasefire proves sustainable. Industry consensus is that recovery will likely occur over weeks and months rather than days.

Looking ahead, the outlook is considerably more positive than it was just a few weeks ago. Additional capacity is expected to enter the market throughout the summer, which should help improve space availability and reduce some pricing pressure. However, volatility remains a risk, and any breakdown in the peace process could quickly reverse recent gains. For now, the market has shifted from crisis management to cautious recovery, with airlines and logistics providers focused on rebuilding networks while maintaining flexibility should conditions change.

Key Takeaway: The market has moved beyond the acute disruption phase and entered a recovery period. Capacity is returning, airlines are rebuilding schedules, and rate pressure is beginning to ease. However, the recovery remains fragile, and shippers should continue planning ahead and securing capacity early for critical shipments as the region transitions toward a more stable 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 (partial)

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), 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 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 September 13

    • Riyadh until June 30

  • Anticipating Tel Aviv to resume starting July 1

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
  • 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 July 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 June 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

  • The Hong Kong airline has suspended flights to Dubai and Riyadh until August 31.

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 until Oct 2.

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 Aug 2.

CHALLENGE AIRLINES

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



OCEAN UPDATES

Last updated June 12, 2026, at 10am PST

The situation in the Middle East remains fluid, with ongoing geopolitical tensions continuing to impact vessel routing, carrier operations, and regional supply chains. Recent developments have increased uncertainty around transit through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical gateway for cargo moving to and from the Arabian Gulf.

As a result, carriers and logistics providers continue to closely monitor conditions and adjust operations as needed.

At this time, most cargo continues to move; however, customers should anticipate the potential for schedule changes, transit time variability, vessel rerouting, and additional operational surcharges. We recommend planning shipments as far in advance as possible and maintaining flexibility where feasible. Our team remains in close communication with carriers and overseas partners and will provide updates as conditions evolve.

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