Some scheduled cargo services return but restrictions remain
Air cargo is on the move again in the Middle East for some airlines, but still subject to delays as airlines and handlers work to clear backlogged shipments and fuel remains limited.
Emirates SkyCargo’s latest update on 5 March confirmed that cargo was being moved through belly and freighter capacity, but stressed “priority continues to be given to clearing cargo currently on hand”.
The cargo arm of Emirates said: “All scheduled freighter flights are available for booking.”
Export cargo is being accepted on current bookable passenger and freighter flights out of Dubai International (DXB) and Al Maktoum International/Dubai World Central (DWC), except Class 1 Dangerous Goods, said Emirates SkyCargo.
Excluding live animals, human remains and Class 1 dangerous goods, cargo, including shipments originating from offline stations, with destination in the UAE or transiting via DXB/DWC on connecting passenger or freighter flights, can be accepted subject to confirmation of flights being active in SkyChain.
Additionally, Etihad Airways said it “will resume a limited commercial flight both passenger and cargo from 6 March 2026, operating between Abu Dhabi and a number of key destinations”.
Freighter flights are scheduled to operate to and from Abu Dhabi between 6-12 March, covering Amsterdam, East Midlands, Ezhou, Frankfurt, Hanoi, Hong Kong, Paris, Riyadh, Shanghai and Shenzhen.
However, Etihad stated that services remain subject to operational approvals and may be adjusted depending on regional airspace conditions.
Qatar Airways Cargo’s operations remain curtailed. The carrier said in an update on 6 March that services to and from Doha are still suspended following the closure of the Qatari airspace, but it is continuing to operate some limited freighter flights that are not routed through Doha.
“All remaining flights are suspended until further notice. As a result, temporary restrictions remain in place on the booking and acceptance of new shipments until the new operational schedule is available following the official re-opening of the airspace.”
Europe-based airlines affected too
Airlines outside of the Middle East also continue to operate with restrictions.
Air France KLM Martinair Cargo said in a 4 March update that its carriers had suspended flights to multiple destinations in the region and “no cargo bookings can be accepted for these destinations until further notice”.
Air France had suspended flights to Dubai (DXB), Riyadh (RUH), Beirut (BEY and Tel Aviv (TLV); KLM had suspended flights to DXB, RUH, Dammam (DMM) and TLV; and Martinair had suspended flights to Dubai (DWC) and Cairo (CAI).
As of 5 March, Lufthansa Cargo, together with the Lufthansa Group, said it had suspended flights to and from Dammam until and including 10 March, suspended flights to and from Amman and Erbil until and including 15 March, suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv until and including 22 March, suspended flights to and from Beirut until and including 28 March, and suspended flights to and from Tehran until and including 30 April.
In addition, Lufthansa Group airlines suspended flights to and from Abu Dhabi and Dubai until and including 10 March.
Flights to and from Larnaca will resume as of 7 March, while Riyadh has been back on the regular flight schedule since 2 March.
Cargolux also decided to suspend the acceptance of all freight bound for the Middle East until further notice, with the exception of Muscat
Jet fuel availability
While airlines are carrying out more operations, jet fuel availability has been reduced. The Middle East is a major producer and exporter of crude oil and refined fuels and the conflict has resulted in forced shutdowns of oil and gas facilities across the Middle East.
20% of global jet fuel flows through Strait of Hormuz off Saudi Arabia and the premium for near-term jet fuel deliveries doubled last weekend, noted Aevean.
IATA’s jet fuel price monitor for the weekly period ending 27 February found that the global average jet fuel price rose 3.6% compared to the week before to $99.40/bbl.
The trade body has not yet released data for the weekly period ending 6 March, but based on reduced availability, the price is likely to have increased further.
Wider market impacts
Freight forwarders have warned customers to expect delays, disruptions and rising costs.
Global air cargo capacity is down by around 18% as of the week ending 8 March and Kuehne+Nagel (K+N), is expecting to see cargo backlogs starting to build in Asia.
Rotate issued research on 3 March showing which countries would be most affected by the reduction in cargo flights from Middle East carriers, with Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Norway topping the list.
Meanwhile, consultant and data provider Xeneta expects airfreight rates to spiral and has recommended to shippers on affected trade lanes that they delay signing longer term deals until the situation eases.
Cargo charter brokers, Air Charter Service and Chapman Freeborn have reported an increase in enquiries since capacity was cut due airlines not running regular services.
