The current crisis in the Middle East is affecting all air traffic, including that of airline Swiss. But this time, it’s not just alternative routes that are blocked.
On Saturday morning, the US and Israel launched another attack on the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The regime, led by religious leader Ali Khamenei, is fighting back fiercely, trying to expand the conflict to the entire Middle East region.
Tel Aviv removed from flight schedule
Combat drones are spreading fear and terror even among tourists in Dubai, Qatar, and Bahrain. Desalination plants and oil production facilities in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait Airport have been attacked.
As a result, regular air traffic can hardly be maintained.
The Swiss airline Swiss announced on Saturday afternoon that it would suspend all flights to and from Tel Aviv until at least March 7. This affects 14 connections in both directions, it said.
As numerous airspaces are closed due to the current situation, Swiss is also canceling flights from Zurich to Dubai scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.
Riyadh and Dammam affected
Lufthansa Group, which includes the premium airline Swiss, has canceled all flights to Tel Aviv, Beirut, Amman, Erbil, and Tehran until at least March 7, according to a passenger information notice.
In addition, the airlines will not be using the airspace over Israel, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Qatar, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates.
As a result, the Lufthansa Group can no longer reach Abu Dhabi or Dubai. Lufthansa has also canceled flights to Riyadh and Dammam until Sunday.
Oil price as a high risk
This presents a completely new situation.
Alternative routes for those affected, which had previously worked well during interruptions to Swiss air traffic to and from Israel and Lebanon via Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or Riyadh, are now no longer available.
Furthermore, in the event of a prolonged crisis, not only will the loss of revenue and re-bookings to later capacities be painful for the aviation industry, but its main cost factor, kerosene, is also likely to become far more expensive.
If the oil price rises sharply when the markets open on Monday, the global aviation market will be negatively impacted.
Trump helps Netanyahu
The attack by the US and Israel on Iran – on a Saturday during the fasting month of Ramadan, when global stock markets are closed – took many observers by surprise.
The Iranian regime and the Americans were negotiating in Geneva to reach a new agreement.
In the midst of those negotiations, US President Donald Trump decided against the advice of his advisors and followed Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is simply pursuing his historical goals.
Negative interest rates more likely
If the price of oil goes through the roof, inflation in the US is likely to rise significantly. This could then have a negative impact on Trump and jeopardize the midterm elections for him.
The escalation of the crisis is also a major problem for the Swiss franc, as the national currency immediately gained further value on Saturday, increasing the likelihood of negative interest rates.
The Swiss embassy in Tehran remains open, according to official sources, which suggests a short-term escalation. Normally, Switzerland closes this diplomatic mission in the event of any escalation.
February 28, 2026/kut./ena.
