Chinese Airlines Resume Middle East Flights After Disruption
Chinese airlines are beginning to cautiously restore services to the Middle East after several days of near-total disruption, marking an early step toward reconnecting key international routes.
Following a temporary “pause” in operations caused by regional instability, carriers have started to reintroduce limited flights. According to reports from China Central Television, Hainan Airlines operated two round-trip flights between Haikou and Jeddah on March 2 and March 4, signaling the first signs of recovery.
Other major airlines have followed with selective resumptions. Air China scheduled round-trip services between Beijing Capital and Riyadh on March 5, 6, and 7, along with flights to Dubai on March 6, 7, and 8. China Eastern planned a round-trip flight between Beijing Daxing and Muscat on March 5, while China Southern scheduled a Guangzhou–Riyadh service on March 6, primarily to repatriate stranded passengers and crew.
Flight tracking data shows that Air China flight CA789 departed Beijing for Riyadh on March 5, becoming one of the first Chinese-operated services to return to the Middle East since operations were disrupted. The flight effectively reopened a narrow air corridor after what had been a near-complete suspension of direct connectivity.
The sudden halt in flights earlier in March came as a sharp contrast to the strong recovery seen just weeks before. In February 2026, routes between mainland China and major Middle Eastern markets had rebounded significantly, exceeding pre-pandemic levels. Flights to the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Iran, and Israel all showed solid growth, reflecting rising demand and restored capacity.
However, that momentum was quickly reversed. From March 1, direct flights between China and key Gulf destinations—including the UAE, Bahrain, and Qatar—dropped to zero, effectively freezing the market. Only a limited number of services continued to operate to countries such as Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt.
Signs of easing began to emerge on March 4, when a single flight to the UAE resumed, hinting at a gradual reopening. The return of services to Riyadh and other destinations now suggests that airlines are testing the feasibility of restoring operations under evolving conditions.
Industry observers note that these initial flights remain limited and highly controlled, reflecting ongoing uncertainty in the region. Airlines are balancing the need to restore connectivity with operational risks, including airspace restrictions and shifting security conditions.
The resumption of these routes represents a cautious but important step. As conditions stabilize, further recovery in China–Middle East aviation links is expected, though the pace will depend on developments in the region and the restoration of traveler confidence.
Related News: https://airguide.info/?s=china
Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com