Finnair has suspended all flights to Doha due to heightened security risks in the Middle East. The airline confirmed that services to the Qatari capital will remain cancelled until at least 23 June, with a review scheduled after Midsummer.
The decision affects Finnair’s daily route between Helsinki and Doha. Flight AY1982, scheduled for 24 June, has also been cancelled. Approximately 2,700 passengers are affected by the disruption.
According to Finnair’s communications chief Stiina Tuunanen, the suspension follows an ongoing risk assessment of the region's airspace. "We will reassess the situation on Monday, 23 June," Tuunanen said.
The airline is currently avoiding the airspace of Iraq, Iran, Syria, and Israel entirely. Finnair began rerouting flights last Friday to avoid Iraqi airspace, a move that extended flight times to Doha by roughly one hour. This development directly influenced the decision to suspend the route altogether.
Finnair has contacted all affected passengers directly. Customers have been offered alternatives or refunds in line with the airline’s standard policy.
Security conditions in the region have deteriorated in recent weeks, prompting aviation authorities and carriers to revise routing protocols. Finnair’s decision reflects a growing trend among international airlines to avoid airspace deemed high risk.
The suspension comes amid wider tensions that have disrupted regional air traffic. While Finnair has not specified the exact nature of the threat, its ongoing avoidance of multiple Middle Eastern airspaces suggests a general risk to commercial aviation in the area.
Finnair continues to monitor developments and is coordinating with relevant authorities and partners to determine the safety of future flights. The company stated that its priority remains passenger safety and operational security.
The Finnish carrier typically operates daily flights to Doha as part of its partnership with Qatar Airways. The cooperation enables connections to several destinations across Asia, Africa, and Oceania. Any long-term disruption to this route could affect wider travel links for passengers using Helsinki as a transit hub.
HT
