Gulf airlines restore some routes, but international suspensions and longer flight times persist.
Dubai: UAE travellers continue to face a mixed picture this month as airlines operate amid ongoing regional security concerns, with some flights cancelled or delayed and several international carriers maintaining suspensions across the Gulf.
While regional airlines are gradually restoring services to some destinations, passengers should be prepared for longer flight times, last-minute schedule changes and possible disruptions as carriers continue to avoid parts of the region’s airspace.
War status: Fighting continues
The US-Iran war has entered a critical diplomatic phase, but fighting and tensions around the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz continue to weigh on regional travel and aviation.
As of August 9, Iran said Oman-mediated talks on managing traffic through the Strait of Hormuz were making progress. However, Tehran has maintained that broader concessions from Washington—including an end to military action, sanctions relief and compensation—would be required before commercial shipping can fully resume.
Oil prices also remained elevated on Monday, as uncertainty over a potential agreement to reopen the Strait outweighed expectations of a swift return to normal shipping.
At 8:33 a.m. Tokyo time on August 10, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude was trading at $78.71 a barrel, while Brent stood at $84.28 and Murban crude at $80.25.
UAE airline updates
Etihad Airways: Flights between Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport and Bahrain have been cancelled for operational reasons. Etihad flights EY653 and EY654 between Abu Dhabi and Kuwait have also been cancelled, with no resumption date announced.
Emirates: Services between Dubai and Bahrain, as well as Dubai and Kuwait, remain unavailable. Flight EK141 from Dubai to Madrid has also been delayed, with passengers advised to check Emirates’ official channels for the latest updates. The airline has also reported delays affecting flights to and from Shanghai and Hangzhou due to adverse weather associated with Typhoon Dolphin, and warned that further disruptions are possible.
Air Arabia: Several flights have been cancelled, including services from Sharjah to Kuwait, Bahrain and Doha, as well as the Abu Dhabi-Kuwait route.
flydubai: Flight FZ909 from Dubai to Jeddah has been delayed.
Other UAE services: Air India Express has cancelled its Dubai-Kannur service, while an Airblue flight between Dubai and Multan has also been affected.
Regional carriers
Regional airlines are also gradually restoring services. Qatar Airways resumed passenger flights to Bahrain, Kuwait and Erbil from August 8, offering some signs of recovery across the region’s aviation network.
Jazeera Airways has likewise resumed flights to and from Kuwait, while Oman Air says technical issues and temporary airspace restrictions continue to affect parts of its network. Saudia is continuing to monitor operations and provide passengers with updates.
International airlines continue suspensions
A growing number of international airlines are continuing to suspend or scale back services across the Gulf as regional security concerns persist.
Among the latest measures:
- British Airways: Flights to Dubai, Bahrain, Amman and Tel Aviv have been suspended until October 31.
- Singapore Airlines, Air Canada, Cathay Pacific, Finnair and ITA Airways: Dubai services remain suspended until October 24.
- Lufthansa and Swiss: Dubai flights are not expected to resume until September 13, while other Middle East routes remain suspended until late October.
- Aegean Airlines and Air Astana: Dubai services have been suspended until August 31.
- KLM: Dubai flights remain suspended until August 23.
- Philippine Airlines: Dubai services are suspended until October 2, although flights between Manila and Doha have resumed.
- Turkish Airlines: Flights to Dubai and Abu Dhabi have resumed, but services to Iran remain suspended.
- Wizz Air: The airline expects to resume flights to Dubai and Abu Dhabi sometime in September.
Why some flights are taking longer
While many flights to and from the UAE continue to operate, airlines are rerouting services to avoid parts of the region’s airspace because of ongoing security concerns.
Passengers should be prepared for:
- Longer flight times: Some journeys may take one to three hours longer because of alternative routes.
- Last-minute changes: Flights may be cancelled, delayed or rescheduled with little notice.
- Longer connections: Rerouted flights can result in extended layovers at transit airports.
- Baggage delays: Checked luggage may take longer to reach passengers following disrupted or altered flight schedules.
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 warned travellers to be prepared for flight cancellations, airspace closures and other potential disruptions.
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said the security situation remains unpredictable and urged travellers to closely monitor 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 its citizens in the region to consider leaving 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 extreme caution amid the continued risk of missile and drone activity.
What travellers should do
If you are flying from the UAE today:
- Check your flight status before heading to the airport.
- Monitor your airline’s website or app for the latest updates.
- Make sure the airline has your current contact details.
- Allow extra time for your journey, particularly if connecting through another airport.
- If travelling overseas, follow the latest travel advice issued by your government.
