Why Cathay Pacific Suspended Gulf Flights and Shifted Capacity in 2026

The suspension has been extended several times to give passengers and cargo customers greater certainty for travel planning. The timeline unfolded as follows:

• 28 February 2026: Initial cancellation of flights to Dubai and Riyadh begins.
• End of April 2026: First extension announced amid continuing regional instability.
• End of May 2026: Suspension extended again as conditions remained uncertain.
• 30 June 2026: Further extension announced in April traffic updates.
• 31 August 2026: Latest extension keeps both passenger and freighter services suspended through the end of summer.

These cancellations affect Cathay Pacific’s daily passenger flights as well as Cathay Cargo freighter services to the two destinations. The airline said the move aims to provide planning certainty while the regional security situation and airspace conditions remain unpredictable.

Redirecting Aircraft to Stronger Markets

Rather than leaving aircraft idle, Cathay Pacific has redeployed capacity to routes where demand remains strong. The airline has added or shifted flights toward major European destinations, including London and Zurich, where passenger demand has surged as travelers opt for alternative travel hubs outside the Middle East.

This strategy allows the carrier to protect revenue and maintain network utilization despite the loss of Gulf routes. The broader shift reflects how geopolitical disruptions can rapidly change global passenger flows, prompting airlines to reposition aircraft toward higher‑demand markets.

Fuel Prices Add Significant Cost Pressure

At the same time, airlines worldwide—including Cathay—have faced sharply rising jet fuel prices linked to the Middle East situation. According to industry data cited by the company, the global average jet fuel price rose to about US$197.83 per barrel by early April 2026, up from US$99.40 per barrel in late February.

Cathay executives described the surge as creating “huge cost pressure” for airlines globally. Even as passenger demand remains healthy, the spike in fuel prices increases operating costs and complicates decisions about scheduling and route planning.

Strong Passenger Demand Despite Disruptions

Despite geopolitical tensions and fuel volatility, Cathay Pacific’s traffic data shows continued recovery in travel demand.

In April 2026, the airline reported:

• 17% year‑on‑year growth in passengers carried
• 15% year‑on‑year growth in available seat kilometres (ASKs)

Across the first four months of 2026, passenger numbers were also significantly higher than the same period in 2025, highlighting the ongoing rebound in international travel.

The airline said holiday travel and seasonal demand helped keep passenger load factors high, while cargo volumes also remained solid.

What This Means for Cathay’s Growth Plans

Before the Middle East disruption, Cathay Pacific had aimed for roughly 10% capacity growth as it rebuilt its network after the pandemic-era downturn. The suspension of Gulf routes and the spike in fuel prices make that goal more challenging.

However, rather than cutting its network broadly, the airline has focused on redeploying aircraft and adjusting schedules to maintain growth where demand remains strong. This flexible approach allows Cathay to preserve capacity expansion while mitigating the financial impact of geopolitical risk and higher fuel costs.

Outlook for Summer Travel

Looking ahead to the peak summer travel season, Cathay Pacific expects demand to remain robust across much of its network. High load factors and steady cargo demand suggest continued recovery in international travel.

Still, the outlook depends heavily on external factors. If Middle East instability persists or fuel prices remain elevated, airlines may continue adjusting routes and schedules to maintain profitability.

For now, Cathay Pacific’s response illustrates a broader industry strategy: pause routes affected by geopolitical risk, redeploy aircraft to stronger markets, and remain flexible while global travel patterns shift.