Air France-KLM has resumed flights to Riyadh as part of a cautious strategy to restart services in the Gulf region [1].
This selective return to the Middle East highlights the airline's struggle to balance recovering passenger demand with significant operational constraints. The decision reflects a broader effort to manage regional instability and resource scarcity while ensuring the safety of crews and passengers.
Speaking at the International Air Transport Association (IATA) meeting in early June 2024, CEO Benjamin Smith addressed the status of the carrier's network. Smith said the airline has confirmed the return to Riyadh, but Dubai, Tel Aviv, and Beirut remain closed [3].
Fuel availability remains a primary driver of the airline's limited schedule. Smith said, "We'll make do with the availability of fuel" [1]. Despite these constraints, the company believes current jet-fuel supplies will last through July and August 2024 [5].
There are conflicting reports regarding the status of operations in the United Arab Emirates. While some reports indicate the UAE announced a full resumption of air traffic on May 2, 2024 [4], Smith said Dubai flights for Air France-KLM are still suspended [3].
The airline is managing expectations for a full recovery of its Gulf network. Smith said the company expects five to 10% of customers to return when flights through the Gulf return to full capacity [2]. This gradual approach allows the carrier to scale operations as fuel supplies stabilize and regional tensions ease.
Air France-KLM continues to monitor the geopolitical landscape to determine when the remaining suspended routes can safely reopen. The current strategy prioritizes high-demand hubs where fuel and safety protocols are most secure.
“We have confirmed the return to Riyadh, but Dubai, Tel Aviv, and Beirut remain closed.”
The selective resumption of flights suggests that Air France-KLM is prioritizing operational viability over immediate market share. By limiting returns to specific cities like Riyadh while avoiding others, the airline is mitigating the financial risk of fuel shortages and the safety risks associated with regional volatility. The low projected customer return rate of 5-10% indicates a conservative outlook on the speed of recovery for Gulf transit traffic.
