HONG KONG, March 19, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Hong Kong aviation giant Cathay Pacific has suspended flights to and from Dubai until the end of April over the war in the Middle East.

"In view of the developing situation in the Middle East, all Cathay Pacific flights to and from Dubai have been cancelled up to and including 30 April 2026," the company said in a statement on Wednesday.

"Further changes to our flight schedule may be needed in the coming days," it added.

Cathay had previously axed all flights to Dubai and Riyadh in March, extending earlier suspensions.

The company doubled fuel surcharges this month for most of its routes as oil prices have been driven up by the war.

Hong Kong Airlines also increased its fuel surcharge on Tuesday for a second time in just over a week.

Cathay previously said extra flights to Europe would be operated in March to cater for an upsurge in demand.

It also noted a "general increase" in demand from other regions, particularly for long-haul flights, with travellers looking for alternatives to routes that rely heavily on Middle Eastern hubs.