Chinese airlines resume Middle East flights amid regional tensions

Chinese airlines have resumed some flights to the Middle East after regional air services were disrupted by US-Israeli strikes on Iran since Feb 28, the Civil Aviation Administration of China said on Thursday. The resumption follows safety assessments conducted by Chinese carriers as airlines gradually restore routes connecting China with key destinations in the Gulf region.

According to the administration, Hainan Airlines completed two round-trip flights between Haikou, capital of Hainan province, and Jiddah, Saudi Arabia, on Monday and Wednesday.

Air China plans to operate one round-trip flight each day between Beijing Capital International Airport and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The carrier will also operate one daily round-trip flight between Beijing Capital International Airport and Dubai on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

China Eastern Airlines scheduled one round-trip flight between Beijing Daxing International Airport and Muscat on Thursday.

China Southern Airlines plans to operate one round-trip flight between Guangzhou and Riyadh on Friday to transport stranded passengers and crew members back to China.

Regional tensions have affected flight schedules in multiple Middle Eastern countries, forcing airlines worldwide to reroute or suspend some services in recent days.