Poland’s flag-carrier LOT has extended its suspension of flights to the Gulf after regional airspace closures linked to the latest US-Israeli confrontation with Iran. The airline confirmed on 4 March 2026 that all Warsaw–Dubai rotations are cancelled through 6 March, while two Riyadh flights on 12 and 15 March have been scrapped pre-emptively.
The decision follows an advisory from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) urging carriers to avoid Iranian, Iraqi and parts of Saudi airspace. LOT’s spokesperson Krzysztof Moczulski said rerouting via the Caucasus would add “at least three hours” to flight time and jeopardise crew-duty limits, making cancellations the safest option.
Affected passengers can rebook free of charge, request a refund or reroute through LOT’s codeshare partners via Doha, Istanbul or Abu Dhabi. Corporate travel managers should note that the airline is waiving ADM fees for re-issuances made by 10 March, a gesture rarely seen during previous disruptions.
![LOT Polish Airlines cancels Dubai and Riyadh services amid Middle-East escalation]()
To smooth the administrative side of any last-minute rerouting, travellers may consider using VisaHQ’s online platform, which streamlines Poland visa applications, provides live status updates and liaises with consulates on your behalf; more details are available at https://www.visahq.com/poland/
For mobility teams relocating staff to Poland from the Middle East, contingency planning is essential. Consular sections in Riyadh and Dubai remain open, but visa applicants may face appointment backlogs as travellers shift to alternative hubs such as Amman or Muscat.
LOT says normal operations will resume “once a stable risk assessment is possible,” but industry analysts expect Gulf services to remain volatile until a broader regional ceasefire is secured.
The decision follows an advisory from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) urging carriers to avoid Iranian, Iraqi and parts of Saudi airspace. LOT’s spokesperson Krzysztof Moczulski said rerouting via the Caucasus would add “at least three hours” to flight time and jeopardise crew-duty limits, making cancellations the safest option.
Affected passengers can rebook free of charge, request a refund or reroute through LOT’s codeshare partners via Doha, Istanbul or Abu Dhabi. Corporate travel managers should note that the airline is waiving ADM fees for re-issuances made by 10 March, a gesture rarely seen during previous disruptions.
To smooth the administrative side of any last-minute rerouting, travellers may consider using VisaHQ’s online platform, which streamlines Poland visa applications, provides live status updates and liaises with consulates on your behalf; more details are available at https://www.visahq.com/poland/
For mobility teams relocating staff to Poland from the Middle East, contingency planning is essential. Consular sections in Riyadh and Dubai remain open, but visa applicants may face appointment backlogs as travellers shift to alternative hubs such as Amman or Muscat.
LOT says normal operations will resume “once a stable risk assessment is possible,” but industry analysts expect Gulf services to remain volatile until a broader regional ceasefire is secured.
