LOT cancels Middle East flights amid Iran conflict

The news in Polish

1. odwoływać
   przestawać coś organizować lub robić, np. odwołać spotkanie albo lot, który był wcześniej zaplanowany ↩︎
2. konflikt  (m.)
   sytuacja, kiedy osoby, grupy lub państwa się nie zgadzają i są między nimi problemy lub walka ↩︎
3. przestrzeń  (f.)
   obszar, miejsce, które coś zajmuje; w tym tekście: część nieba nad danym terenem ↩︎
4. powietrzny
   związany z powietrzem lub z ruchem w powietrzu, np. ruch powietrzny, przestrzeń powietrzna ↩︎
5. bezpieczeństwo  (n.)
   stan, kiedy nic nam nie grozi, nie ma zagrożenia ani ryzyka ↩︎
6. pasażer  (m.)
   osoba, która jedzie lub leci środkiem transportu, np. samolotem, autobusem, pociągiem ↩︎

Translation

Text comprehension

Question 1: Why is LOT canceling flights to Dubai, Riyadh, and Tel Aviv?

Question 2: How is LOT helping passengers affected by the canceled flights?

Vocabulary

Polish	English
odwoływać	to cancel
konflikt  (m.)	conflict
przestrzeń  (f.)	space
powietrzny	air / aerial
bezpieczeństwo  (n.)	safety
pasażer  (m.)	passenger

Read the full story

Polish national airline LOT (Polskie Linie Lotnicze LOT) has suspended several flights to the Middle East following a sharp escalation of violence involving Iran, Israel and the United States. The carrier says the decision follows security guidance from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the closure of airspace in parts of the region.

The airline has cancelled upcoming flights to Dubai and Riyadh, and extended the suspension of services to Tel Aviv until at least 15 March. Flights to Dubai are halted until Wednesday 4 March, while connections to Riyadh are suspended until Sunday 8 March. A LOT aircraft flying to Dubai was turned back to Poland earlier, after the situation worsened.

The changes come after US and Israeli attacks on targets in Iran, including military facilities and locations linked to Iran’s leadership, and Iranian retaliatory strikes on Israel and US military positions in Gulf states. In response to the conflict, some Middle Eastern countries have restricted or closed their airspace, making it difficult or impossible for civilian aircraft to operate safely on some routes.

LOT has stressed that passenger safety is its main priority. The airline’s operational teams are in constant contact with travellers affected by cancellations. According to official statements, LOT is helping passengers rebook on other, mainly local, airlines where possible and to return to Warsaw using alternative routes. The carrier says it is “actively communicating” with customers and remains available to handle questions about ticket changes and reservations.

LOT is not the only airline reacting to the crisis. Several major European and regional carriers, including Virgin Atlantic, Air Arabia, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, Air France and Wizz Air, have also cancelled or adjusted flights in the region, following similar risk assessments and safety recommendations.

European governments are responding in different ways. Czech authorities have announced plans to evacuate about 750 citizens from Oman, and France has signalled that it will carry out evacuation flights from high-risk areas once airspace restrictions allow, a plan confirmed by President Emmanuel Macron after a defence council meeting.

The Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has taken a more limited approach. Officials say they are monitoring the situation on the Middle East closely but do not plan special evacuation flights at this stage. Instead, the ministry has opened an additional telephone hotline for Polish citizens in the region, operating daily from 08:00 to 22:00, to provide information and assistance to those who are stranded or concerned about travel.

For international observers and language learners following events in Poland, this situation illustrates how security crises in the Middle East can rapidly affect European airlines and travellers. LOT’s actions reflect a broader trend among carriers and governments who are adjusting travel plans, flight paths and consular support in response to the evolving conflict.

Info: ‘Polish Learner News’ is a service from ‘Let’s Learn Polish’, a language school dedicated to teaching Polish, where you can follow updates, resources and articles that support your Polish course and other online learning options we offer.