Flying from the UAE? Most flights are running normally, but some Gulf routes remain delayed.
Dubai: Air travel from the UAE remains largely stable this week, with most flights operating as scheduled despite ongoing geopolitical developments across the Gulf region.
However, some routes to Bahrain, Kuwait and Doha continue to experience cancellations and delays as airlines adjust schedules due to operational requirements and regional airspace conditions.
Passengers are advised to arrive at airports early and check the latest flight status updates before setting off.
War status: Fighting continues
The security situation across the Middle East remains uncertain, with developments continuing to unfold.
Explosions were reported late Thursday on Iran’s Qeshm Island, near the Strait of Hormuz, as Iranian forces said they had responded to what state-linked media described as “hostile enemy targets”. The reports came as US President Donald Trump said he believed the conflict “has got to end pretty soon”.
Diplomatic efforts are intensifying, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia for talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Pakistan is also continuing mediation efforts aimed at bringing an end to the conflict, which has affected shipping activity through the Strait of Hormuz.
Despite the ongoing hostilities, regional aviation is showing early signs of recovery. Qatar Airways is set to resume flights to Bahrain, Kuwait and Erbil from Friday as airlines gradually rebuild their regional networks and restore affected services.
UAE airline updates
Several UAE carriers continue to operate reduced schedules on selected Gulf routes as airlines adjust operations in response to ongoing regional developments.
Etihad Airways
Cancelled flights:
- EY653: Abu Dhabi–Kuwait
- EY654: Kuwait–Abu Dhabi
- Abu Dhabi–Bahrain services
Kuwait and Bahrain flights continue to appear on Etihad’s booking system, with seats available for purchase. However, the airline has not yet provided confirmation on when full services will resume.
Emirates
Currently unavailable:
- Dubai–Bahrain services
- Dubai–Kuwait services
flydubai
Cancelled flights:
flydubai
Cancelled flights:
- FZ027 / EK2020: Dubai–Bahrain
Delayed flight:
- FZ039: Dubai–Salalah
Air Arabia
Cancelled flights:
- G9068: Sharjah–Kuwait
- G9124: Sharjah–Kuwait
- G9107: Sharjah–Bahrain
- G9081: Sharjah–Doha
- G9138: Sharjah–Doha
- 3L020: Abu Dhabi–Kuwait
Regional carriers
Among regional airlines, Qatar Airways is set to resume passenger flights to Bahrain, Kuwait and Erbil from August 8, marking an early step towards restoring regional connectivity.
Jazeera Airways has restarted flights to and from Kuwait, but passengers are still advised to arrive at the airport only three hours before departure.
Oman Air said technical issues and temporary airspace restrictions continue to impact parts of its network, with delays and cancellations still possible. Saudia said it is continuing to monitor operations closely and provide passengers with updates as the situation develops.
International airlines continue suspensions
A growing number of international airlines continue to suspend or reduce services across the Gulf as security concerns and operational challenges persist.
Among the latest measures:
- British Airways has suspended flights to Dubai, Bahrain, Amman and Tel Aviv until October 31.
- Singapore Airlines, Air Canada, Cathay Pacific, Finnair and ITA Airways have suspended Dubai services until October 24.
- Lufthansa and Swiss will not resume Dubai flights until September 13, while other Middle East routes remain suspended until late October.
- Aegean Airlines and Air Astana have extended Dubai flight suspensions until August 31.
- KLM has suspended Dubai services until August 23.
- Philippine Airlines continues to suspend Dubai flights until October 2, although Manila–Doha services have resumed.
- Turkish Airlines has restarted flights to Dubai and Abu Dhabi but continues to suspend services to Iran.
- Wizz Air expects to resume Dubai and Abu Dhabi operations during September.
Why some flights are taking longer
While many UAE flights continue to operate, airlines are avoiding certain parts of regional airspace due to ongoing security concerns.
Passengers may experience:
- Longer flight durations of one to three hours due to revised routes.
- Last-minute cancellations or changes to flight schedules.
- Extended connection times at transit airports.
- Delays in baggage delivery.
Global travel advisories remain in place
Several governments continue to advise travellers to exercise caution and remain prepared for possible disruptions across the region.
The US Department of State has advised travellers to be prepared for potential flight cancellations, airspace closures and other travel disruptions.
The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said the security situation remains unpredictable and urged travellers to continue monitoring official updates.
Canada continues to advise against non-essential travel to the UAE, warning that renewed missile or drone activity could disrupt flight operations.
Australia has advised citizens in the region to consider departing while commercial flights remain available, provided it is safe to do so.
Meanwhile, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has extended its conflict-zone advisory for Gulf airspace until August 31, urging airlines to exercise heightened caution due to the continued risk from missile and drone activity.
What travellers should do
If you are flying from the UAE today, travellers are advised to:
- Check their flight status before leaving for the airport.
- Monitor their airline’s website or mobile app for the latest updates.
- Ensure their airline has their current contact details.
- Allow extra time for their journey to account for possible delays.
- Follow official travel guidance issued by their country’s authorities when travelling internationally.
