No Flights to Dubai and Riyadh Until May — Cathay Pacific Pulls Out Over Middle East War

Bad news for travelers headed to the Middle East — Cathay Pacific has officially suspended all flights to Dubai and Riyadh until April 30, 2026, citing the escalating war in the region. The move extends earlier suspensions from March and signals that the conflict shows no signs of cooling down anytime soon.

"In view of the developing situation in the Middle East, all Cathay Pacific flights to and from Dubai and Riyadh will be suspended up to and including 30 April 2026," the Hong Kong-based airline said in separate statements on Wednesday. Customers affected by the cancellations won't face rebooking, rerouting, or refund charges.

The suspension hits close to home for Filipinos. Dubai and Riyadh are major hubs for overseas Filipino workers, and thousands rely on connecting flights through these cities. With major carriers pulling out of Middle East routes, OFWs face limited options and potentially higher fares on alternative routes.

Cathay also doubled its fuel surcharges this month across most routes as oil prices continue to surge because of the war. Hong Kong Airlines followed suit, hiking its own fuel surcharge twice in just over a week. The domino effect of rising oil prices is making air travel significantly more expensive across Asia.

On the flip side, Cathay is adding extra flights to Europe in March to meet surging demand from passengers rerouting away from Middle East hubs. The airline noted a 'general increase' in demand for long-haul flights, particularly from travelers seeking alternatives to Dubai and Riyadh connections.

Source: GMA News / Agence France-Presse