Kuwait Airways announced on Saturday that it has rescheduled the majority of its commercial flights after a temporary suspension of take-off and landing operations at Kuwait International Airport, citing the ongoing Iranian aggression on the country.

The move comes as authorities continue monitoring the evolving situation and prioritising aviation safety.

Read more-Which airlines are flying to the Middle East? Here’s the latest

In a statement, the national carrier urged passengers to closely monitor the status of their flights. The airline said automated updates and text messages are being sent to the phone numbers registered in booking records, ensuring travellers receive timely information on any schedule changes, Kuwait News Agency reported.

Passenger safety prioritised

The statement added that passengers requiring further information about their flights can contact the customer service centre from within Kuwait by dialling 171, from abroad at (+965) 24345555 ext. 171, or through the dedicated WhatsApp service at (+965) 1802050.

Kuwait Airways expressed its sincere appreciation to customers for their patience, understanding and cooperation during these exceptional circumstances. The airline reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining the highest passenger safety and security standards while continuing to keep travellers informed of operational developments as they emerge.

More international airlines are gradually restoring services to the Middle East following the conflict that erupted after US and Israeli strikes on Iran. However, many carriers continue to suspend or delay flights to destinations across the Gulf and wider region.

Several airlines have pushed back the return of services to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Doha, Beirut and Tel Aviv into late summer or even October, while others continue to adjust schedules as security conditions evolve.

Below is the latest status of major international airlines.

Airlines with flights still suspended or delayed

Aegean Airlines

• Dubai: Suspended until August 31
• Erbil and Baghdad: Suspended until September 30

airBaltic

• Dubai: Suspended until October 24

Air Canada

• Tel Aviv and Dubai: Suspended until October 24

Air France-KLM

• Air France: Beirut suspended until August 2
• KLM: Riyadh, Dammam and Dubai services were suspended until July 15, according to the airline.

Cathay Pacific

• Dubai passenger services resume October 25
• Riyadh passenger services resume October 26
• Riyadh freight services remain under review

Delta Air Lines

• Atlanta–Tel Aviv suspended until December 18
• New York–Tel Aviv resumes September 6
• Boston–Tel Aviv launch delayed indefinitely

Finnair

• Doha suspended until October 2
• Continues avoiding the airspace of Iraq, Iran, Syria and Israel
• Dubai winter services scheduled to restart in October

British Airways (IAG)

• Doha resumes August 1
• Riyadh resumes August 8
• Dubai, Bahrain, Amman and Tel Aviv suspended until October 25
• Jeddah route discontinued
• Dubai, Doha, Riyadh and Tel Aviv services will initially return with one daily flight

Japan Airlines

• Tokyo–Doha suspended until August 31
• Doha–Tokyo suspended until September 1

LOT Polish Airlines

• Dubai winter route resumes in October
• Beirut returns in the Summer 2027 schedule

Lufthansa Group

The group continues to operate one of the broadest sets of suspensions across the region.

• Lufthansa and SWISS Dubai flights suspended until September 13
• Abu Dhabi, Amman, Beirut, Dammam, Riyadh, Erbil, Muscat and Tehran suspended until October 24
• SWISS Tel Aviv flights suspended until August
• Brussels Airlines suspends Tel Aviv until October 24
• ITA Airways extends Riyadh suspension until July 31 and Dubai until October 24
• Eurowings expects to resume remaining Middle East destinations during the autumn

Norwegian Air

• Planned launches to Tel Aviv and Beirut postponed indefinitely

Singapore Airlines

• Singapore–Dubai suspended until October 24
• Additional London Gatwick and Melbourne services added to meet demand

Wizz Air

• Flights from mainland Europe to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Amman suspended until mid-September

The UAE has called for an immediate halt to the escalating conflict between the US and Iran, warning that continued military action risks pushing the region into deeper instability.

In a statement published on Saturday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the UAE said it was “deeply concerned” by recent developments and urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint to prevent further violence.

“The UAE expresses its deep concern over the developments that the region has witnessed over the past few days, and has called for an immediate halt to the escalation and to avoid exacerbating tensions and instability in the region,” the statement read.

The ministry called for “the utmost restraint” to avoid dangerous repercussions and prevent the region from being drawn into new levels of violence and instability.

The statement came just before the US completed an eighth consecutive night of airstrikes against Iranian military targets, saying the attacks were aimed at degrading Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz following attacks that killed two US service members in Jordan.

Iran, meanwhile, said it had carried out fresh drone attacks targeting US military assets at Kuwait’s Al-Adiri camp and Ali Al Salem Air Base, extending a series of retaliatory strikes against American facilities in the Gulf.

The UAE reiterated its call for an immediate end to hostilities and a swift return to negotiations, stressing that dialogue remains the only path to reducing tensions.

The UAE also underscored the importance of ensuring safe, uninterrupted navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, describing the waterway as vital to the global economy amid mounting concerns over regional shipping security.

It further condemned attacks on civilian infrastructure, saying that schools, universities, hospitals, desalination plants, energy facilities, transport hubs and residential areas must be protected.

“The targeting of civilian infrastructure and civilian facilities… constitute a flagrant and grave violation of the established principles and provisions of international law, and cannot, under any circumstances, be accepted or justified,” the statement read.

The US said it had completed an eighth straight night of attacks against Iran after earlier announcing that two US military personnel were killed in Jordan and another was missing ​following an Iranian attack.

The U.S. and Iran have intensified attacks since an interim ceasefire deal signed a month ago fell apart last week, raising the possibility of a return to all-out war.

US Central Command said in a statement that the airstrikes began at 6 p.m. ET (2200 GMT) on Saturday, at President Donald Trump’s direction.

“The strikes are designed to further degrade Iran‘s ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and swiftly punish Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces who launched attacks against American service members in Jordan last night,” it said.

Central Command later said it had completed its wave of attacks, hitting Iranian military coastal surveillance and air defence facilities.

Iran‘s Mehr news agency said the US carried out an attack near Sirik in southern Iran, adding that no casualties or damage to infrastructure have been reported. The Tasnim news agency said the US military also targeted a location near Shadegan, close to the border with Iraq.

The Iranian army then carried out a drone attack that targeted US military assets and equipment at Kuwait’s Al-Adiri camp and Ali Al Salem Air Base, Iran‘s state TV reported early Sunday, citing a statement from the army. Both bases were targeted as part of Iran‘s attacks against US assets and allies in the Gulf since last week.

Central Command said the two deaths occurred on Friday and that a third US service member was missing in action. The announcement brought the number of US service members killed since the war began to 16, while more than 420 have been wounded.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth posted on X: “Their sacrifice only stiffens our resolve.”

In a written statement carried by the official social media accounts of Iran‘s supreme leader and Iranian state media, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei said U.S. actions have shown that Trump’s signature was “utterly worthless and devoid of credibility.”

The statement warned of “even heavier costs and further humiliation” for the United States. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Khamenei’s whereabouts remain a mystery.

Employers across Oman will be required to comply with new payroll and leave-management obligations from Sunday, July 19, as the insurance branch covering sick leave and other eligible forms of leave comes into force under the Social Protection Law.

The new scheme introduces a mandatory contribution equivalent to 1 per cent of each covered worker’s contribution wage, with the cost to be borne entirely by employers. Employees will not be required to make any separate contributions toward this insurance branch, according to an Oman Observer report.

The insurance scheme will apply to eligible Omani workers, as well as specified categories of non-Omani employees across both the public and private sectors, marking another key step in Oman’s ongoing social protection reforms.

Three-year legislative process

In the second edition of its Himaya bulletin for July 2026, the Social Protection Fund said the new insurance branch is designed to reimburse employers for eligible leave allowances, along with related insurance contributions. The Fund said the initiative is intended to strengthen employment and social stability while supporting business continuity.

The rollout follows a three-year legislative process that began with the promulgation of the Social Protection Law under Royal Decree No. 52/2023. The legislation established sick and other leave insurance as one of the Sultanate’s social insurance branches.

The provisions were originally due to take effect two years after the decree was issued on July 19, 2023. However, Royal Decree No. 60/2025 extended the implementation period by an additional year, shifting the commencement date to July 19, 2026.

Coverage and employer obligations

A Social Protection Fund decision issued in June identified the categories of non-Omani workers subject to compulsory coverage. These include expatriate employees working in units of the state administrative apparatus, other public legal entities, and private-sector establishments governed by the Labour Law.

The most immediate impact for businesses will be the additional 1 per cent payroll-related contribution. Employers will also remain responsible for paying employees during eligible leave periods before submitting electronic compensation claims to the Social Protection Fund.

For sick leave, employers must continue paying the worker’s full wage during the first seven days of absence. From the eighth day onward, the insurance branch will cover the eligible allowance, provided medical evidence is submitted and all legal conditions are met.

According to the Fund, sick leave may be covered for up to 182 days in a calendar year. Compensation is calculated at 100 per cent of the worker’s wage from the eighth to the 21st day, 75 per cent from the 22nd to the 35th day, 50 per cent from the 36th to the 70th day, and 35 per cent from the 71st to the 182nd day.

According to the Fund’s public guidance on sick and other leave insurance, employers must first pay the eligible amount to the worker before applying to the Social Protection Fund for reimbursement.

Preparing for implementation

The insurance branch also extends to specified forms of other leave, including eligible periods related to marriage, bereavement and accompanying relatives for medical treatment. Payments will remain subject to the qualifying periods, supporting documentation and other conditions stipulated under the law.

In certain cases, the scheme will also cover specified old-age, disability and death insurance contributions during approved leave, helping ensure continuity in an employee’s insurance record.

With the new rules taking effect on July 19, employers are expected to ensure payroll systems are updated to calculate the new contribution accurately. Human resources teams will also need to maintain up-to-date employee records, contribution-wage data, medical evidence and other supporting documents to facilitate compensation claims under the new framework.