Air France to resume flights to Saudi Arabia, UAE and Lebanon following regional ceasefire
Air France announced on June 24 that it will resume flights to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates on June 25 and to Lebanon on June 26, following a temporary suspension due to escalating regional conflict.
A spokesperson for the airline confirmed that flights between Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport and both Dubai and Riyadh will resume on June 25. The company had halted operations on June 22 amid heightened tensions following the outbreak of conflict between Israel and Iran.
The suspension occurred particularly after US airstrikes targeted three Iranian nuclear facilities, raising concerns about regional aviation safety. Air France prioritised passenger and crew safety during the period of military operations across the Middle East.
The resumption follows US President Donald Trump's announcement of a ceasefire between Israel and Iran on June 24. Airlines had suspended regional operations as a precautionary measure whilst military activities posed potential risks to civilian aviation.
Air France operates regular services connecting European passengers to major Middle Eastern destinations including Dubai, Riyadh and Beirut. The routes serve both business travellers and tourists visiting the region.
Airlines across Europe had implemented similar precautionary suspensions during the conflict period. The resumption of Air France services indicates growing confidence in regional stability following the ceasefire announcement.
Lebanese authorities welcomed the decision to restore connectivity between Beirut and Paris. The route serves Lebanon's significant diaspora population in France and facilitates business and tourism links between the countries.
Aviation industry analysts expect other European carriers to follow Air France's lead in resuming Middle East operations as regional tensions continue to ease.
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