KLM has cancelled its flights to Dubai, Riyadh, and Dammam until August 23, 2026, meaning anyone travelling to the Gulf this summer will need to rebook their tickets or claim a refund.
The Dutch carrier updated its travel advisory on July 21, citing the ongoing security risk in the region as a reason for the disruption.
If you’ve booked a KLM flight to (or transiting through) the Middle East, here’s what’s actually changing and what you can do about it.
Which flights are affected?
Flights to and from Dubai (DXB), Riyadh (RUH), and Dammam (DMM) are grounded up to and including August 23, 2026. KLM is also steering clear of the airspace over Iran, Iraq, Israel, and several neighbouring Gulf countries.
In addition to these destinations, existing flight disruptions also apply to Beirut (BEY) until August 16.
READ MORE | Flying to the Middle East soon? The Netherlands just tightened its travel advice for these countries
The airline says it can’t resume its normal schedule yet and is asking passengers to check its website regularly for updates.
What are your rebooking and refund options?
If you booked a flight to, from, or via Dubai, Riyadh, or Dammam during this time period, you’ve got three options:
- Rebook to a new date for free, as long as the same travel class is available. Your new departure needs to be on or before September 13. You can sort this in My Trip or the KLM app.
- Request a travel voucher, valid for one year. According to the carrier, these are usable for “all KLM, Air France, Delta, and Virgin Atlantic flights that are offered on the Air France KLM website.”
- Request a full refund of your ticket and any extras if your flight was cancelled.
However, let op: According to KLM, these options only apply if your ticket was originally issued on or before July 16, 2026.
Here’s what to do if you’re stuck in the Middle East
KLM recommends registering with the Dutch government’s information service run by the foreign ministry for more safety updates (though be warned that the page is only in Dutch).
If you’re angling for a refund or rebooking, the good news is that the law is on your side. Under EU rules, passengers whose flights are cancelled are generally entitled to a refund or rerouting.
While many KLM flights to and from the region are grounded, it’s worth checking if other airlines have routes to get you where you need to go.
Have the flight cancellations affected your journey? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
