Dutch airline KLM cancelled flights to Tel Aviv and several other Middle Eastern destinations this weekend, citing “the geopolitical situation” amid concern of renewed conflict with Iran.
“KLM is currently avoiding the airspace of Iran, Iraq, and Israel as a precaution, as well as the airspace over several countries in the Gulf region,” the airline said on Saturday.
The Dutch flag carrier’s statement added that, “until further notice”, it would not be operating flights to Dubai, Riyadh, Dammam and Tel Aviv.
The airline is owned by the Franco-Dutch holding company Air France-KLM.
Air France is still operating flights to Israel.
The move comes after the Lufthansa Group, which includes Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines and Eurowings, announced last week that it was cancelling night flights to Israel until at least the end of January.
Italy’s ITA Airways announced on Saturday that it was cancelling its nighttime flights to Israel as well.
The cancellations come as the United States increases its military presence in the region amid threats to attack Iran in the wake of the violent repression of anti-government protests there.
Israel’s Ben-Gurion Airport remains under normal operation.
