Last Updated: 4 March 2026
Due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, significant disruptions are affecting both air freight and ocean freight services across the region. Airlines and ocean carriers have implemented flight suspensions, route changes, and emergency surcharges as safety precautions.
Best Global Logistics (BGL) is closely monitoring developments and will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available. Customers with shipments moving through or near the Middle East should expect possible delays, schedule changes, and additional surcharges.
Air Freight Situation
Many international airlines have suspended operations or adjusted routes to avoid affected airspace.
Airlines with Flight Suspensions or Restrictions
Air France
Cancelled flights to Israel and Lebanon until further notice.
Air India
Suspended all flights to West Asia / Middle East, including Dubai, Doha, and Saudi Arabia, until further notice.
Austrian Airlines
Suspended flights to Tel Aviv, Tehran, Amman, Beirut, and Erbil until 7 March 2026.
British Airways
Suspended flights to Tel Aviv until further notice.
Delta Air Lines
Suspended flights to Tel Aviv until 31 March 2026.
Emirates
Suspended all inbound and outbound flights from Dubai until further notice.
Etihad Airways
Suspended all flights to and from Abu Dhabi until further notice.
Gulf Air
Cancelled or suspended some flights to and from Bahrain International Airport.
Flights to Iran, Iraq, and Israel are immediately suspended.
Japan Airlines
Suspended flights to the Middle East region.
KLM
Suspended flights to Tel Aviv and Jordan.
Some flight changes affecting Dubai.
Flights to Bangkok have been rerouted to avoid Iranian airspace.
Kuwait Airways
Postponed all inbound and outbound flights until further notice.
Lufthansa Group
Suspended flights to Tel Aviv, Tehran, Beirut, Amman, and Erbil until 7 March 2026.
Flights to Dubai suspended from 28 February to 1 March 2026.
Oman Air
Oman’s main airport temporarily suspended takeoffs and landings for safety reasons.
Qatar Airways
Suspended all inbound and outbound flights from Doha until further notice.
Royal Jordanian
Temporarily suspended all flights.
Russian carriers
Suspended flights to Iran and Israel.
SAS (Scandinavian Airlines)
Suspended operations to the Middle East region.
Swiss International Air Lines
Suspended flights to Tel Aviv and Beirut until 7 March 2026.
Turkish Airlines
Cancelled flights to Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria until 2 March 2026.
United Airlines
Suspended flights to Tel Aviv until further notice.
Airlines Still Operating with Route Adjustments
EVA Air
Operating normally but rerouting flights to avoid Iranian and Iraqi airspace.
Thai Airways
Operating normally but rerouting flights to avoid Iranian and Iraqi airspace, resulting in flight time increases of approximately 20–40 minutes.
Passengers and cargo customers should verify updated arrival times.
Ocean Freight Situation
Ocean carriers are beginning to implement service suspensions and emergency surcharges due to the increased operational risks in the region.
MSC (Mediterranean Shipping Company)
Service suspended.
Hapag-Lloyd (HPL)
Implemented War Risk Surcharge (WRS)
- USD 1,500 / TEU for standard containers
- USD 3,500 / container for reefers and special equipment
Effective 2 March 2026 until further notice.
Evergreen Marine (EMC)
Internally announced service suspension.
Official announcement pending HQ confirmation.
CMA CGM
Implemented Emergency Conflict Surcharge (ECS)
- USD 2,000 / 20′ container
- USD 3,000 / 40′ container
- USD 4,000 for reefers and special equipment
Effective 2 March 2026 loading date until further notice.
Also suspended all new reefer bookings with immediate effect.
ZIM
Currently still accepting bookings, but surcharges expected.
ONE, Yang Ming (YML), OOCL, COSCO
Currently under internal discussion with no official announcements yet.
Expected Logistics Impact
Due to these disruptions, customers may experience:
- Air freight capacity shortages
- Transit time increases due to rerouted flights
- Port congestion or service gaps
- War risk and emergency surcharges
- Possible cargo re-routing
BGL recommends that customers plan shipments early and confirm routing options in advance.
BGL Support
Best Global Logistics is actively monitoring the situation and working with carriers to provide alternative routing solutions where possible.
For shipment updates or assistance, please contact your BGL account manager or our operations team.