LOT suspends Middle East flights; MFA opens hotline

2 March 2026 Poland Radar 0 Comments

Polish carrier LOT has temporarily suspended selected routes to the Middle East and Poland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has launched an extra consular hotline for citizens in the region — what travellers and expats need to know.

Polskie Linie Lotnicze LOT has announced a temporary suspension of certain Middle East flights, and the Ministerstwo Spraw Zagranicznych (Poland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs) has set up an additional consular hotline for Polish citizens in the region. The move affects services to selected cities in the Middle East and comes alongside a government effort to make immediate support available for travellers and nationals abroad.

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What happened

The national carrier said the suspension is temporary and applies to a number of routes to destinations in the Middle East. The airline has not published a full list of affected city services in the initial notice, and passengers with bookings are being asked to check their reservation status directly with Polskie Linie Lotnicze LOT or their travel agent. Airlines commonly suspend routes in response to fast-changing security assessments, operational constraints, or significant drops in demand; such decisions are often reviewed daily.

Why this matters

For expats and travellers, the interruption of Middle East flights by Poland’s flag carrier reduces direct connectivity and can complicate travel plans, emergency returns, business trips and family visits. The disruption matters beyond passenger inconvenience: air links are also critical for medevac operations, time-sensitive cargo and diplomatic movements. The launch of an extra helpline by the Ministerstwo Spraw Zagranicznych signals that the government recognises the potential for consular need — for example, if Polish citizens require emergency documents, translation support, or advice on local security developments.

Practical steps for travellers and expats

If you are booked on a LOT flight to or from the Middle East, first check your booking status and any communication from the airline about rebooking or refunds. Contact your travel insurer to understand coverage for cancellations or rerouting. If you are a Polish citizen currently in the region and need assistance, use the newly announced consular hotline and follow guidance from the Polish embassy or consulate nearest you. Non-Polish expats should contact their own country’s diplomatic mission for support.

💡 GOOD TO KNOW: Consular hotlines are intended for urgent help: they can advise on local security conditions, help contact local authorities, provide lists of local medical providers, and — if necessary — issue emergency travel documents or coordinate repatriation. “Consular registration” means informing your embassy or consulate that you are in a country; this is a free service that can speed up help in emergencies. If you are not a Polish national, register with your own embassy. Regardless of nationality, keep digital copies of your passport and travel documents, monitor local media, and confirm refund or rebooking policies with your airline.

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