KLM maintains Dubai flight suspensions despite Middle East ceasefire

KLM will continue to suspend flights to Dubai despite the ceasefire. Last month, the airline announced that, for safety reasons, all flights to and from Dubai, as well as Riyadh and Dammam in Saudi Arabia, would be canceled through May 17. A spokeswoman confirmed on Wednesday that this decision remains in effect.

The spokeswoman stated that KLM will review the situation for flights beyond that period, taking into account whether conditions in the Middle East remain stable. At the moment, KLM is steering clear of the skies over Iran, Iraq, and Israel and much of the Gulf area. As a result, flights to many Asian destinations must take longer detour routes. KLM is coordinating with Air France and Delta Air Lines to offer alternative routes for passengers affected by disruptions.

Earlier, KLM raised its ticket prices as fuel costs surged due to the war, with intercontinental flights seeing the biggest increases. The spokeswoman confirmed that these price hikes will remain in effect. KLM has raised fares for intercontinental round trips by roughly 50 euros on average, while European round-trip tickets have gone up by around 10 euros. Transavia, KLM’s budget subsidiary, has added surcharges of roughly 5 euros on certain flights, following similar steps taken by major carriers like Cathay Pacific and Lufthansa.

The aviation body IATA cautioned that fuel costs are expected to stay elevated for months, even following a ceasefire. IATA chief Willie Walsh described rising ticket prices as “inevitable.” Since late February, kerosene prices have surged from roughly $99 to $175 per barrel. Even though crude oil dropped below $100 following the ceasefire, refined kerosene remains expensive because of disruptions to refining capacity in the Middle East.

Earlier today, it was announced that the Netherlands had agreed to protect the Strait of Hormuz with several other countries and the EU leadership for the next two weeks while the ceasefire is in effect. The strait is crucial because normally about one‑fifth of the world’s oil and gas supply is transported via this route. However, since U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran began in late February, passage has largely ground to a halt.