Scoot Restarts Singapore-Jeddah Flights as Middle East Airspace Reopens After US-Iran Peace Deal

Scoot, Singapore’s low-cost carrier, has officially resumed its air service between Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) and King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) in Jeddah. The operations restarted on June 22, 2026, marking the return of the route after a four-month hiatus. Flight TR796 arrived at Jeddah at 20:30 local time, reaffirming the airline’s commitment to restoring regional connectivity after months of disruption.

This route was initially suspended on February 28, 2026, as the US-Iran conflict intensified and large portions of Middle Eastern airspace were closed to commercial traffic. The situation forced airlines worldwide to reconsider or reroute their operations, particularly affecting carriers serving the region from Asia. Scoot’s suspension was one among numerous adjustments by regional and international airlines.

The airline planned to resume flights on April 18, 2026, but instability in the region led to a postponement. It waited until there was more clarity on the geopolitical front and the security of flight paths before reinstating services. Scoot conducted a detailed assessment of the evolving diplomatic environment and operational logistics prior to the June restart, demonstrating a cautious but proactive approach to resuming the route.

Scoot is operating the Singapore-Jeddah service three times weekly, balancing restoration of service with prudent management of risks posed by the fragile regional stability. Though it has restarted flights, the airline has committed to ongoing monitoring of geopolitical developments and will modify routes or schedules in response to any new developments that might impact safety or operational feasibility.

The timing of Scoot’s return flight aligns closely with high-level diplomatic engagements between the US and Iran, including a 60-day interim peace agreement signed on June 17, 2026. This breakthrough has led to partial reopening of previously restricted Middle Eastern airspace, directly facilitating the resumption of several international air routes.

Singapore Airlines, Scoot’s parent company, is approaching Middle East operations more conservatively. Its daily Singapore-Dubai flights, operated as SQ494 and SQ495, remain suspended until at least August 2, 2026, with plans to restart contingent on improved regional stability. Furthermore, the Singapore-Riyadh route, unveiled in January 2026 as Singapore Airlines’ first service to Saudi Arabia in over a decade, has been deferred until September 1, 2026.

With Scoot's return to Jeddah, all Middle Eastern carriers flying to Singapore have resumed services at Changi Airport. Major carriers including Emirates, Etihad, Gulf Air, Qatar Airways, and Saudia are collectively offering connections to five key cities across the Middle East. Gulf Air notably restarted its Bahrain-Singapore route last month, signaling broad restoration of links.

Changi Airport’s Executive Vice President of Air Hub and Cargo Development, Ching Kiat Lim, indicated further expansions planned for 2026. Oman Air is set to initiate Muscat-Singapore flights, while Singapore Airlines prepares its Riyadh service for later this year. These developments suggest a gradual normalization and strengthening of air connectivity between Southeast Asia and the Middle East following geopolitical disruptions.

Scoot’s cautious yet timely resumption of its Singapore-Jeddah flights highlights how geopolitical events can impact airline route planning and operations. The reopening of Middle Eastern airspace not only benefits airlines resuming suspended services but also restores vital links for trade, tourism, and business between Asia and the Middle East, sectors critically dependent on reliable aviation connectivity.