European travel to the UAE has hit turbulence after three major carriers, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Transavia and Air France, confirmed flight suspensions to and from Dubai International Airport.

The cancellations are linked to ongoing airspace restrictions in parts of the Middle East and limited slot availability at DXB, one of the world’s busiest international hubs.

For UAE residents, European tourists and business travellers, the announcement raises urgent questions: Who is affected? What are the alternatives? And how will this impact travel to the region?

Why are flights suspended?

According to airline statements, the suspensions are driven by:

• Airspace restrictions over certain regional corridors
• Precautionary safety measures
• Shortage of available slots at Dubai International Airport

Transavia has cancelled all services to Dubai until March 15. KLM previously reduced operations and later shifted to limited daylight flights, while Air France temporarily halted services earlier before adjusting schedules.

All three airlines say they are closely monitoring the regional security situation and will determine future schedules accordingly.

What this means for travellers

For passengers booked to fly between Europe and Dubai:

• Airlines are offering rebooking, refunds or alternative routes
• Affected travellers are being notified via SMS and email
• Some passengers may be automatically rebooked

However, peak-season travellers may face limited seat availability on alternative carriers.

Alternative Airlines to Consider

Dubai remains heavily connected globally. Other airlines operating strong Europe–Dubai routes include:

• Emirates
• Flydubai
• Qatar Airways
• British Airways
• Etihad Airways

Travellers are advised to compare rebooking options before cancelling outright.

Impact on the tourism and hospitality sector

European markets, particularly the Netherlands, France and the UK, contribute significantly to:

• Hotel occupancy rates
• Conference and exhibition attendance
• Luxury retail and hospitality spending

With reduced connectivity across parts of Europe, short-term fluctuations in visitor numbers are possible, especially in central tourist hubs such as Downtown Dubai and Dubai Marina.

That said, Dubai’s tourism ecosystem is diversified. Strong inbound demand from India, Saudi Arabia and regional markets continues to support hotel performance and airline traffic.

While KLM and Transavia serve key European hubs, UK travellers have strong direct connectivity through Emirates and British Airways, limiting long-term disruption.

Travel tips if you’re flying to or from Dubai

If your Dubai flight has been impacted:

• Contact your airline immediately
  Review rebooking and refund policies
  Compare alternative carriers
  Monitor official airline travel advisories
  Remain flexible with travel dates

For business travellers with time-sensitive commitments, booking direct routes with UAE-based carriers may provide greater schedule stability.

Airlines adjust schedules frequently in response to geopolitical and operational developments. As safety assessments evolve, services may resume sooner than expected or be further extended.

For now, travellers are urged to stay informed and plan strategically.

Inputs from TTW, Bloomberg