UAE airlines face further cancellations as global carriers extend regional flight suspensions.
Dubai: The regional air travel situation remains mixed for UAE travellers this month. While many flights continue to operate, passengers are still facing cancellations, longer flight routes and schedule changes on several key Gulf services.
Emirates, Etihad Airways and Air Arabia have cancelled a number of flights to Bahrain, Kuwait and Doha, while some regional carriers have begun gradually restoring services.
Meanwhile, several major international airlines have extended the suspension of flights to the UAE and other destinations across the Middle East.
US-Iran war status
The Middle East has endured another tense 24 hours, with fighting, political disagreements and fears of a wider escalation continuing across multiple fronts.
In Yemen, Iran-aligned Houthi forces launched a drone attack on Saudi Arabia’s Jazan refinery, triggering a fire that Saudi authorities said was later brought under control without any casualties.
The Houthis also carried out an attack on the port of Mocha, killing seven people and damaging infrastructure near the strategically important Bab el-Mandeb shipping route.
Meanwhile, the standoff between Iran and the US over the Strait of Hormuz remains unresolved. Tehran has said it will not reopen the vital waterway without significant changes in US policy, while US President Donald Trump has demanded compensation from Iran for deaths and damage resulting from the conflict.
The broader regional security situation continues to affect airline operations, with carriers closely monitoring airspace developments and adjusting flight schedules when necessary.
What UAE and regional airlines are doing
- Etihad Airways: Abu Dhabi–Bahrain flights have been cancelled for operational reasons. Flights EY653 and EY654 between Abu Dhabi and Kuwait have also been cancelled, with the Kuwait service suspended indefinitely and no restart date announced.
- Emirates: Dubai–Bahrain and Dubai–Kuwait services are currently unavailable. Flights EK757 to Algiers and EK606 to Karachi have also been affected.
- Air Arabia: Several services have been cancelled, including G9107 to Bahrain; G9068 and G9124 to Kuwait; and G9081, G9130 and G9027 to Doha. Abu Dhabi–Kuwait services have also been affected.
- flydubai: Flight FZ909 from Dubai to Jeddah has been delayed.
- Other UAE services: SpiceJet flight SG5014 from Dubai to Mumbai, Airblue flight PA411 from Dubai to Lahore and flyadeal flight F3514 from Dubai to Riyadh have been cancelled. Belavia flight B2718 from Dubai to Minsk has been delayed.
- Qatar Airways: Passenger services to Bahrain, Kuwait and Erbil resumed on August 8.
- Jazeera Airways: Flights to and from Kuwait have resumed.
- Oman Air: The airline said technical issues and temporary airspace restrictions continue to affect parts of its network.
- Saudia: The airline continues to monitor operations and provide passengers with updates.
International travel advisories
Several governments continue to caution travellers that the security situation across the Middle East remains unpredictable, with the potential for further disruptions to air travel.
The US Department of State has advised travellers to be prepared for flight cancellations, airspace closures and other travel disruptions. The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has also urged travellers to monitor official updates and developments.
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.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency has extended its conflict-zone advisory for Gulf airspace until August 31, urging airlines to exercise extreme caution amid continued risks from missile and drone activity.
What international airlines are doing
Several major international airlines continue to suspend or restrict services to the UAE and other destinations across the Middle East, with some suspensions now extending into October and even January 2027.
- Air Canada: The airline has extended its Dubai flight suspension until mid-January 2027 and has also suspended services to Tel Aviv. Passengers have been advised not to travel to the airport unless they have a confirmed alternative flight that is operating.
- Singapore Airlines: The carrier has postponed the resumption of Dubai services until October 24, after previously planning to restart flights on August 2. Affected passengers can choose to rebook or request a refund.
- British Airways: The airline has delayed the resumption of services to several Middle Eastern destinations. Flights to Dubai, Tel Aviv, Bahrain and Amman remain suspended until October 25, while services to Doha and Riyadh have been reduced. Flights to Jeddah have been permanently suspended.
- Philippine Airlines: Manila–Doha services have resumed, but flights to Dubai remain suspended until October 2.
- Air France: Flights to Riyadh have been suspended until August 14, while services to Dubai and Beirut remain suspended until August 18. The airline said any resumption would depend on local security assessments.
- Turkish Airlines: The carrier has resumed flights to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, as well as Damascus, Beirut and Amman. Services to Iran remain suspended, while the airline warned that further cancellations could occur as it continues to monitor regional airspace.
