Finnair Suspends Doha and Dubai Flights Until March 28 |

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Finnair has confirmed that its flights from Helsinki Airport (HEL) to Doha Hamad International Airport (DOH) and Dubai International Airport (DXB) will be suspended until at least March 28, as the war between Israel and the United States and Iran, which has escalated throughout the Persian Gulf region, continues.

In a statement on March 4, 2026, Finnair said that while it will not operate any flights to DOH and DXB until March 28, it continues to explore options “to get its customers home safely.” However, the situation in the Persian Gulf remains difficult, with the Finnish carrier noting that it is currently unsafe to fly to the region.

Jaakko Schildt, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Finnair, reiterated that the airline’s priority is safety, noting that yesterday, some flights operated by Middle Eastern airlines to DXB had to turn back due to missile attacks.

On March 3, Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, the Minister of Economy and Tourism of the UAE, said that the country would open “emergency routes” that could accommodate up to 48 flights per hour. The UAE, much like many of the countries situated in the Gulf, has been hit by Iranian drone attacks.

Nevertheless, Schildt added that the carrier understands the situation for its passengers is “really distressing,” noting that Finnair has been working hard to find a solution to bring its customers home.

“Airlines have the responsibility to reroute customers, but as most airlines have cancelled flights, there are very few options available, and the first available flights are days away. More flights are also cancelled every day.”

Finnair stated that while some airlines still fly to Muscat International Airport (MCT), the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has advised airlines against using Oman’s airspace. If the situation improves, the Finnish carrier will explore its options to fly its customers out of MCT, the COO continued.

As the war continues, airlines have largely avoided flying to and from the Persian Gulf region. The region’s largest airlines, including Emirates, Etihad Airways, and Qatar Airways, have either suspended operations or are flying limited schedules.

Emirates, for example, said that its scheduled flights from/to DXB remain suspended until at least March 7, yet it “continues to operate a limited flight schedule,” reaccommodating passengers with earlier bookings on the limited flights.

Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways’ scheduled flights are suspended until at least March 6, according to the latest updates provided by both airlines.