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 11 March 2026, 17:15hr, 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 Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq and Iran. UAE airspace is open with limited number of flights per hour. Israel airspace is partially open with limited operations. Qatar airspace is partially open with limited flights. Saudi Arabian airspace is open. Jordanian airspace is open. Oman airspace is open. Lebanese airspace remains open with limited flight activity.

  • Air France (AF), KLM (KL) and Martin Air (MP) have suspended following flights until further notice:

    • Air France: Dubai (DXB), Riyadh (RUH), Beirut (BEY and Tel Aviv (TLV)

    • KLM: Dubai (DXB), Riyadh (RUH), Dammam (DMM) and Tel Aviv (TLV)

    • Martinair: Dubai (DWC) and Cairo (CAI)

  • 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 from London (LHR) to Abu Dhabi (AUH), Amman (AMM), Doha (DOH), and Dubai (DXB) and Tel Aviv (TLV) until March 15. Flights from Madrid (MAD) to Doha (DOH) are suspended until March 15. Flights from Madrid (MAD) to Tel Aviv (TLV) are suspended until March 28.

  • Cargolux (CV) has cancelled all flights to the Middle East until further notice. The only exception to this restriction is cargo destined for Muscat (MCT).

  • Delta (DL) has suspended all flights to and from Tel Aviv (TLV) until March 22.

  • El Al and Sundor (2U) have suspended all flights to and from Tel Aviv (TLV) until March 10.

  • Emirates Airline (EK) has begun operating a limited number of passenger and freighter flights on select routes. As operations gradually resume, priority continues to be given to clearing cargo currently on hand.

  • 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) will resume a limited commercial flights schedule between Abu Dhabi and Ahmedabad, Bangkok, Bengaluru, Cairo, Colombo, Delhi, Frankfurt, Hanoi, Hyderabad, Jeddah, Kuala Lumpur, London (Heathrow), Madrid, Malé, Milan (Malpensa), Moscow (Sheremetyevo), Mumbai, New York (JFK), Paris, Phuket, Riyadh, Rome, Seoul (Incheon), Toronto, and Zurich. All flights remain subject to operational approvals and may change based on regional airspace conditions. All other commercial services to and from Abu Dhabi remain suspended. Cargo operations continue mainly via freighters and approved cargo movements, with any belly capacity dependent on operational readiness and regulatory clearance.

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

  • Lufthansa (LH), Swiss (LX) and Austrian (OS) has suspended flights to and from Abu Dhabi, Amman, Dammam, Dubai and Erbil through March 15. Flights to and from Beirut are suspended through March 28. Flights to Riyadh (Lufthansa, ITA Airways), Jeddah (Eurowings), and Larnaca continue to operate.

  • Qatar Airways (QR) is operating limited flights to Doha from London (LHR), Paris (CDG), Madrid (MAD), Rome (FCO), Frankfurt (FRA) and Bangkok (BKK).

  • Saudi Arabian Airlines (SV) has cancelled all flights to and from Amman, Kuwait, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Bahrain, Moscow and Peshawar 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 until further notice. All flights to Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan are cancelled through March 20.

  • Virgin Atlantic (VS) has cancelled flights to Dubai until further notice. 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 21. All departures from TLV are cancelled through March 21. All United departures to Dubai (DXB) are cancelled through March 21. All departures from DXB are cancelled through March 21.

Sea Logistics – what is affected

  • UAE: All ports operating, including Port of Fujairah where operation restarted

  • Qatar: Doha port is operating

  • Saud Arabia: All ports operating

  • Bahrain: Port remains closed

  • Kuwait: All ports operating

  • Iraq: Umm Qasr port is operating

  • Oman: Duqm and Sohar are operating. Salalah closed for operation.

  • Jordan: Aqaba port is 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. South bound red sea is continuing with most carriers to the port of Jeddah, Aqaba, and King Abdullah port.

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: Slight congestion

Saudi Arabia

  • Batha Entry: No congestion

  • Batha Exit: No congestion

Qatar

  • Abu Samra Entry: No congestion

  • Salwa Exit: No congestion

Kuwait

  • Nuwaiseeb Entry: Congestion

  • Al Khafji Exit: Slight congestion

Bahrain

  • Causeway Bridge (Entry & Exit): Slight congestion

Jordan

  • Al Omari: No congestion

  • Al Haditha: No congestion

Oman

  • Wajaja Entry: No congestion

  • Hatta Exit: No congestion

Rates are affected by war‑risk surcharges and higher operational costs on certain lanes due to elevated risks and capacity constraints.