Cathay Pacific extends Dubai and Riyadh flight suspension through November

Hong Kong flag carrier Cathay Pacific Airways has delayed the resumption of passenger flights to Dubai and Riyadh until December at the earliest, extending the suspension of its Middle East services to nine months.

The airline attributed the extended postponement to “the latest developments in the Middle East”, with services to both cities now cancelled through November 30.

“Affected travellers will be offered the flexibility to rebook, reroute or refund their tickets,” it said.

Cathay said it would continue to review when to resume freighter services to Dubai and Riyadh, adding that it would closely monitor the evolving situation in the Middle East.

The latest announcement came amid renewed attacks between the United States and Iran this week. The conflict, which began in February, has remained at a diplomatic stalemate, with the US stepping up pressure through a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

Cathay began cancelling flights to Dubai and Riyadh on February 28. On July 2, it said it would progressively resume passenger and freighter services to the Middle East from September 1, with tickets on sale.