Bottom view of a plane flying over a container yard.

Current service status

Latest information on transport and logistics operations

Published on 2 March 2026 / Last edited on 2 March 2026, 17:30hr, CET

Recent developments in the Middle East have resulted in a more volatile security environment across parts of the region, leading several governments and authorities to introduce precautionary measures affecting selected air and sea routes. In response, Kuehne+Nagel is closely monitoring the situation and assessing potential implications for our operations, with safety and service continuity as key priorities.

The wellbeing of our people remains paramount, and all teams are currently safe, fully contactable, and operational. At the same time, we continue to work closely with our partners to support customers, maintain service continuity, and minimise any potential impact on shipments. Where shipments may be affected, customers will be contacted directly with updates and to agree on the most appropriate next steps.

Latest updates

Air Logistics – what is affected

Airspace is closed in multiple countries, including Israel, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Kuwait, Iraq and Iran. Saudi Arabian airspace is experiencing a partial closure affecting the area bordering Iraq and the Persian Gulf. Jordanian and Lebanese airspace remains open with limited flight activity.

  • Air France (AF), KLM (KL) and Martin Air (MP) have suspended flight to and from and Dubai (DXB + DWC), Riyadh (RUH), Dammam (DMM), Beirut (BEY), and Tel Aviv (TLV) until further notice. As a result, no cargo bookings can be accepted for these destinations up to and including Tuesday, March 3, 2026.

  • Atlas Air (5Y) has suspended flights to the Middle East until futher notice.

  • British Airways (BA), Iberia (IB) and Air Lingus (EI) have suspended flights to Amman (AMM), Abu Dhabi (AUH), Doha (DOH), and Dubai (DXB) until March 3. Services to Bahrain (BAH) and Tel Aviv (TLV) are suspended until March 4. Operations to Jeddah (JED) and Riyadh (RUH) continue to run normally without disruption.

  • Cargolux (CV) has cancelled all flights to the Middle East until further notice.

  • Emirates Airline (EK) has suspended all flights going through Dubai (DXB), Abu Dhabi (AUH), Doha (DOH) until March 3 at 15:00 local time. Emirates SkyCargo is placing temporary restrictions on the booking and acceptance of all new shipments on their flights for the next 24 hours. This measure is being implemented to ensure operational stability and compliance with regulatory directives.

  • Ethiopian Airlines (ET) is cancelling flights to and from the Middle East region. So far, flights to Amman, Tel Aviv, Dammam, and Beirut are cancelled.

  • Etihad (EY) has suspended all flights going through Dubai (DXB), Abu Dhabi (AUH), Doha (DOH) until March 2 at 15:00 local time.

  • Kuwait Airlines (KU) has suspended all flights in and out of Kuwait.

  • Lufthansa (LH), Swiss (LX) and Austrian (OS) will suspend flights to Tel Aviv, Beirut, Amman, Erbil, Dammam and Tehran until March 8. The following airspaces will also not be used until March 8: Israel, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Qatar, and Iran. Additionally, flights to and from Dubai and Abu Dhabi are suspended until March 4.

  • Qatar Airways (QR) flights to and from Doha have been suspended following the closure of Qatari airspace. Freighter flights that are not scheduled to operate through Doha are operating. All flights going through Dubai (DXB), Abu Dhabi (AUH), Doha (DOH) until March 2 at 15:00 local time.

  • Saudi Arabian Airlines (SV) have cancelled all flights to and from Abu Dhabi, Doha, Dubai and Kuwait until further notice. Some flight routes may be altered to avoid areas of tension, resulting in minor adjustments to scheduled arrival times at some destinations.

  • Silkway (7L) will retain cargo at their terminal hub in Baku, Azerbaijan, for destinations affected by airspace closures. Destinations impacted include all Iraqi airports, Tel Aviv (TLV), Kuwait (KWI), Dammam (DMM), and Dubai (DWC). They will resume cargo movement to final destinations when routing restrictions are lifted.

  • Turkish Airlines (TK) has cancelled all flights to Doha, Kuwait, Bahrain, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Dammam through March 3. All flights to Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan are cancelled through March 6.

  • Virgin Atlantic (VS) has cancelled flights to Dubai and Riyadh from February 28 through March 2. The airline will temporarily alter its flight path to avoid Iraqi Airspace.

  • United Airlines (UA) has cancelled all departures to Tel Aviv (TLV) through March 5. All departures from TLV are cancelled through March 6. All United departures to Dubai (DXB) are cancelled through March 2. All departures from DXB are cancelled through March 4.

Sea Logistics – what is affected

  • Oman: Ports & offices operating as usual, no impact noticed as of yet.

  • UAE: Ports are open or partially closed. Jebel Ali opened again T1-T4.

  • Qatar: Port is still operating.

  • Saudi Arabia: Ports are operating as usual.

    Bahrain: Port is closed and under damage assessment.

  • Kuwait: Ports are operating, incl. Shuaiba port which is restarting operations.

  • Iraq: Ports operating as usual.

  • Jordan: Ports operating as usual.

Please note that the above is subject to change.

The Strait of Hormuz is fully closed to all commercial container traffic, preventing direct access to the Arabian Gulf.

Major carriers have halted passage through the Bab el Mandeb Strait, forcing rerouting and significantly prolonging voyages.

Customers should anticipate:

  • Cargo delays due to restricted passage and vessel diversions

  • Congestion at key transshipment hubs

  • Extended transit times due to routing around closed straits

  • Irregular schedules and potential equipment shortages as flows are disrupted

Our teams are working with carriers to assess cargo currently in transit and explore contingency options.

Surcharges & Cost Implications

Due to the rapidly evolving situation, carriers may apply additional surcharges, including, but not limited to:

War Risk Surcharge

In response to elevated regional security risks, carriers and insurers may implement or adjust war risk premiums to cargo in transit as well as to current and new bookings.

Emergency Surcharge (ES)

At least one major carrier has already announced Emergency Conflict Surcharge, with others likely to follow depending on operational impacts.

Bunker Charge (BUC)

Due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the suspension of transits through the Bab Al Mandab Strait, many vessels are rerouting via significantly longer pathways such as the Cape of Good Hope. The expected sharp increases of oil prices will lead to significant increase of global bunker prices and carriers are expected to pass on extra costs related to this.

Road Logistics – what is affected

  • All land borders across the region remain open, and cross-border trucking within the GCC continues to operate normally

  • Increased inspection protocols and congestion at certain borders may lead to extended transit times on specific corridors (overview below)

  • Operations at Jebel Ali Port remain unstable, and local UAE deliveries may experience delays.

UAE

  • Sila Entry: No congestion

  • Sila Exit: No congestion on normal or AEO line

Saudi Arabia

  • Batha Entry: No congestion

  • Batha Exit: No congestion

Qatar

  • Abu Samra: Slight congestion

Kuwait

  • Nuwaiseeb Entry: Congestion

  • Al Khafji Exit: No congestion

Bahrain

  • Causeway: Slight congestion

Jordan

  • Al Omari: No congestion

  • Al Haditha: No congestion