Bahrain and Kuwait flights face disruptions as airlines monitor regional security.
Dubai: Travellers flying from the UAE today, August 12, should check their flight status before heading to the airport. Most services are operating as scheduled, but disruptions continue on selected routes to Bahrain and Kuwait amid ongoing regional security concerns. Passengers should also allow extra time for check-in, security and immigration.
The usual summer travel rush is also putting added pressure on Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah airports. Passengers are advised to arrive early and allow extra time for check-in, security and immigration.
Regional security continues to affect flights
Airlines are closely monitoring regional security developments as they assess flight routes and adjust operations. Changes can be made at short notice depending on airspace restrictions and the latest security assessments.
Trump said the situation with Iran was “going fine” and claimed that US forces were in “total control” of the Strait of Hormuz.
The US military also said it had disabled the Panama-flagged cargo vessel Vela Nova after it allegedly ignored repeated warnings while heading towards an Iranian port. A US Navy helicopter fired two Hellfire missiles at the vessel’s engine room and steering gear, according to US Central Command.
The wider regional conflict continues to affect both shipping and aviation. Yemen’s government has accused Iran-backed Houthi forces of killing six people in a “double-tap” attack on a commercial vessel in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. Separately, a maritime security monitor reported an incident involving a container ship and military forces in the Gulf of Oman.
US officials have also warned that a prolonged disruption to the Strait of Hormuz could put further upward pressure on oil and gas prices. Shipping data indicates that traffic through the waterway remains far below normal levels, despite US claims that the strait is under control.
UAE airline updates
Emirates flight status
Travellers flying from Dubai to Kuwait or Bahrain on August 12 should check their flight status directly with Emirates before heading to the airport. Emirates provides live updates on departures, arrivals, cancellations and delays through its flight-status service.
The latest travel updates indicate that Emirates services on some Bahrain and Kuwait routes remain affected, with schedules subject to change as regional security conditions develop.
Emirates flight status
- Dubai (DXB) to Kuwait (KWI): Status unavailable
- Dubai (DXB) to Bahrain (BAH): Status unavailable
- Dubai (DXB) to Algiers (ALG): Cancelled
Emirates has also said Dubai-bound passengers can change their travel dates without a fee an unlimited number of times under measures introduced on August 10. Fare and tax differences may still apply.
Etihad Airways
Etihad’s network is largely operating normally, although some regional services remain subject to change as the airline continues to monitor the situation. Its flight-status service allows passengers to check flights by number, date, origin or destination.
The following services were listed as scheduled:
- EY643: Abu Dhabi to Bahrain — Scheduled
- EY644: Bahrain to Abu Dhabi — Scheduled
Passengers should check directly with the airline before travelling, as flight information can change at short notice.
- EY653: Abu Dhabi to Kuwait — Scheduled
- EY654: Kuwait to Abu Dhabi — Scheduled
Etihad flight EY219 from Delhi to Abu Dhabi on August 11 was delayed due to a technical issue.
flydubai
flydubai’s flights to Kuwait, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia are operating as scheduled, although some minor delays are being reported, including on a service to Palermo. Given the ongoing regional security situation, passengers should check their flight status directly with the airline before heading to the airport.
Air Arabia Abu Dhabi
Several Air Arabia Abu Dhabi services between Abu Dhabi, Bahrain and Kuwait have been affected amid ongoing regional disruptions.
Abu Dhabi to Bahrain
- 3L015: Flight time updated.
Passengers should check Air Arabia’s official flight-status page for the latest departure and arrival information before heading to the airport, as schedules can change at short notice.
Bahrain to Abu Dhabi
- 3L016: Flight time updated
- 3L018: Not yet departed
These statuses reflect the latest available flight information for August 12. Air Arabia advises passengers to check its flight-status page for the latest updates, as timings can change.
Abu Dhabi to Kuwait
- 3L020: Cancelled
- 3L022: Not yet departed
Kuwait to Abu Dhabi
- 3L021: Cancelled
- 3L023: Not yet departed
Kuwait to Abu Dhabi
- 3L021: Cancelled
- 3L023: Not yet departed
Air Arabia Sharjah
Sharjah to Kuwait
G9069: Cancelled G9125: Cancelled G9122: Not yet departed
Air Arabia Sharjah
Sharjah to Kuwait
- G9068: Cancelled
- G9124: Cancelled
- G9121: Not yet departed
Kuwait to Sharjah
- G9069: Cancelled
- G9125: Cancelled
- G9122: Not yet departed
Sharjah to Bahrain
- G9107: Cancelled
- G9101: Not yet departed
- G9103: Not yet departed
- G9105: Not yet departed
Bahrain to Sharjah
- G9108: Cancelled
- G9102: Not yet departed
- G9104: Not yet departed
- G9106: Not yet departed
Sharjah to Abha
- G9195: Not yet departed
Abha to Sharjah
- G9196: Not yet departed
Travelling to Delhi after the summer rush?
Passengers flying to Delhi should allow extra time at the airport, with security measures being stepped up ahead of India’s Independence Day on August 15.
Air India has advised passengers travelling between August 10 and 20 to arrive at the airport well ahead of their scheduled departure. SpiceJet has issued a similar advisory for travellers flying between August 11 and 20, citing enhanced security checks and additional airport formalities.
The advisories come during a busy travel period between India and the UAE, as passengers make family visits and return to the UAE following the summer break.
Delhi is also increasing security ahead of Independence Day. Several roads around the Red Fort are scheduled to close from 4am to 10am on Thursday for the full-dress rehearsal, with commuters advised to plan alternative routes.
Weather could also affect travel plans. Airlines have warned that adverse conditions in Delhi may lead to changes to departures, arrivals and connecting flights. Passengers should check their flight status before leaving for the airport.
International airline updates
Several international airlines continue to adjust their Middle East operations as regional security conditions remain uncertain.
- British Airways: Flights to Dubai, Tel Aviv, Bahrain and Amman remain suspended until October 25. Services to Doha and Riyadh have also been reduced, while 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 are suspended until August 14, while services to Dubai and Beirut remain suspended until August 18.
- Turkish Airlines: Flights to Dubai and Abu Dhabi have resumed, although services to Iran remain suspended.
- Air Canada: Suspensions affecting Dubai and Tel Aviv have been extended, with Dubai services not expected to resume until mid-January 2027.
- Singapore Airlines: The planned resumption of Dubai flights has been pushed back to October 24.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has also extended its conflict-zone advisory covering Gulf airspace until August 31, citing potential risks from missile and drone activity.
What UAE travellers should do today
Passengers should check the latest flight information with their airline before leaving home and aim to arrive at the airport at least three hours before departure.
Travellers should also allow extra time for traffic, check-in, security and immigration. Using online check-in where available and keeping contact details up to date can also help ensure they receive important flight alerts and schedule changes.
With the summer travel rush continuing and regional security conditions affecting some routes, passengers should be prepared for last-minute changes and follow their airline’s latest instructions before heading to the airport.
Those travelling to Delhi should plan to arrive early as well, with airlines advising passengers to allow additional time for enhanced security checks and airport formalities ahead of India’s Independence Day on August 15.
