SIA suspends flights to Dubai until June 25 as tensions escalate in the Middle East
Singapore Airlines has cancelled all flights to and from Dubai through Wednesday, June 25, citing escalating geopolitical tensions following a US military strike on Iran.
SIA Suspends Dubai Services Until June 25
Singapore Airlines (SIA) has suspended all flights between Singapore and Dubai until Wednesday, June 25, due to increasing tensions in the Middle East. The decision was made following a security review of the current situation in the region, especially after recent US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites. Flights SQ494 and SQ495, which run daily between the two cities, have been cancelled through Wednesday.
The airline stated that affected passengers will be contacted directly and may choose to be rebooked or refunded. Customers who booked directly through SIA are encouraged to use the airline’s Assistance Request Form for a refund. Those who booked through agents are advised to contact their providers directly.
Global Airline Responses Intensify
SIA is not alone in reassessing safety in the region. Major global carriers have also altered routes and suspended services. Air France has halted all flights to Tel Aviv and cancelled flights to Dubai and Riyadh. United Airlines has extended its suspension of Tel Aviv services until July 31. Finnair, meanwhile, has cancelled Doha flights through Tuesday.
Australia’s Flight Centre Travel Group reported a rise in customer requests to reroute flights to Europe via alternate hubs like Singapore, Hong Kong, and Johannesburg. These developments reflect a growing unease among global carriers as conflict continues to disrupt one of the world’s busiest airspaces.
Empty Skies Over a Tense Region
Since Israel began striking Iran on June 13, commercial air traffic over Iran, Iraq, and the Mediterranean has thinned dramatically. Carriers are rerouting flights north via the Caspian Sea or south via Egypt and Saudi Arabia, significantly increasing operational costs. The rising price of jet fuel following the US attacks is compounding financial pressures on the aviation industry.
Growing GPS Disruption and Airspace Risks
Experts have also flagged concerns over GPS interference and spoofing. According to flight tracking service Flightradar24, spoofing incidents have sharply risen across the Persian Gulf, potentially compromising navigation safety. Swiss firm SkAI reported that over 150 aircraft experienced spoofing in a single day.
Aviation safety platform Safe Airspace warned that US strikes could raise threats to American aircraft operating in Gulf states, including Bahrain, Oman, and the UAE. Meanwhile, airlines in Jordan, Lebanon, and Iraq have begun cautiously restoring services.
Wider Impacts and Emergency Measures
In Israel, authorities are expanding limited-capacity rescue flights to facilitate departures, as the nation faces mounting travel demand. Israeli airline El Al said over 25,000 individuals have applied to leave within just 24 hours.
The conflict’s ripple effects have disrupted essential travel routes between Asia and Europe, already limited by the closure of Russian and Ukrainian airspace. With the Middle East becoming increasingly volatile, the aviation sector braces for continued operational strain.
The suspension of Singapore Airlines’ Dubai flights highlights the escalating instability in the Middle East and its far-reaching effects on global air travel. For travelers and businesses in Singapore and across Southeast Asia, this evolving crisis signals the importance of flexible planning and heightened awareness in international travel.
Sources: CNA (2025) , Asia One (2025)
Keywords: Singapore Airlines, Flight Cancellations, Middle East Conflict, Dubai Airport, Geopolitical Tension
