Chinese airlines resume some flights to the Middle East

China's Civil Aviation Administration announced on Thursday that several Chinese airlines have resumed some flights between China and countries in the Middle East.

The move comes after air travel to the region by multiple international carriers was severely disrupted following US-Israeli military strikes on Iran beginning on February 28.

Chinese authorities say Air China plans to operate one round-trip flight per day between Beijing Capital International Airport and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on March 5, 6 and 7. The airline will also run one daily round-trip service between Beijing Capital International Airport and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates on March 6, 7 and 8.

Meanwhile, China Southern Airlines says it will operate one round-trip flight between Guangzhou and Riyadh on March 6 to bring back stranded passengers and crew members. Earlier, on March 2 and March 4, Hainan Airlines had already completed two round-trip flights between Haikou and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.

The first Chinese flight to resume service to the Middle East following the outbreak of conflict in the region was Air China flight CA789 from Beijing to Riyadh. The aircraft departed from Beijing Capital International Airport and arrived at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Thursday.

After Gulf airspace closures on March 1, Air China, China Eastern and China Southern also introduced no-fee refund and rebooking policies for tickets to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Riyadh purchased between February 24 and March 15.