Cathay Pacific has pushed back the restart of its passenger services to Dubai (DXB) and Riyadh (RUH) by a further two months, citing continued security concerns linked to the widening Iran conflict. The Hong Kong carrier said on 28 September that all flights on the two routes remain cancelled through 31 January 2027. It is the third extension since April and leaves Cathay without any passenger presence in the Gulf for the entire winter timetable. Affected travellers may rebook, reroute or claim refunds without penalty; cargo services are under separate review. For UAE-based multinationals the suspension limits direct capacity between Hong Kong and Dubai at a time when demand for north-Asia connections is rebounding. Corporates will need to re-accommodate staff via rival hubs such as Singapore, Bangkok or Doha, often at higher fares and with longer journey times. Mobility teams should check immigration rules for transit stops and confirm that employees hold any additional visas required. Travel-industry analysts warn that if the geopolitical situation worsens, insurance premiums for over-flight of the wider region could rise, putting further upward pressure on ticket prices and itinerary planning for 2027.
Source: South China Morning Post
