SINGAPORE – Air travel between Southeast Asia and the Gulf has been abruptly disrupted after Singapore Airlines and its low-cost subsidiary Scoot cancelled multiple flights to key Middle Eastern destinations, citing escalating regional tensions and heightened security risks.
The SIA Group confirmed that 26 flights connecting Singapore with Dubai and Jeddah will not operate between 28 February and 7 March 2026. Daily Singapore–Dubai services SQ494 and SQ495 have been suspended throughout the period, accounting for 16 of the affected flights. Meanwhile, Scoot cancelled several TR596 and TR597 services on the Singapore–Jeddah route, extending the disruption across both premium and budget travel segments.
In a public statement, Singapore Airlines stressed that passenger and crew safety remains its foremost priority. The airline said it is closely monitoring developments and adjusting operations in response to changing security conditions and airspace restrictions. Affected travellers are being offered rebooking options or full refunds, while the airline has urged customers to keep their contact details updated to receive real-time notifications.
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The cancellations come amid widespread instability across Middle Eastern airspace following recent military escalations involving regional powers. Several major aviation hubs across the Gulf have experienced temporary closures or operational limits, forcing airlines worldwide to reroute or suspend services. The ripple effects have extended far beyond the region, disrupting global flight schedules and complicating long-haul travel corridors linking Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
For passengers, the sudden changes have brought uncertainty and logistical challenges. Travel plans involving transit through Gulf hubs have been reshuffled, with some travellers facing extended delays or revised itineraries at short notice. Airlines and aviation authorities continue to issue advisories as the situation evolves, warning that schedules may shift further depending on security assessments.
While no timeline has been given for a full resumption of services, industry observers say the episode underscores how quickly geopolitical tensions can reshape international aviation — turning routine routes into fragile lifelines subject to events far beyond the runway.
