UAE airlines continue operations, but cancellations affect several Gulf routes.
Dubai: Flying from the UAE today? Emirates, Etihad, Air Arabia and flydubai continue to operate flights, but passengers travelling on some Gulf routes are still experiencing cancellations and delays as airlines navigate ongoing regional security concerns.
The disruptions come as the conflict involving Iran enters its sixth month, with no clear breakthrough in sight.
While some restrictions across the Gulf have eased and airlines are gradually restoring services, several international carriers continue to suspend flights to Dubai and other destinations across the Middle East, with disruptions expected to persist into the autumn.
For travellers in the UAE, the advice remains unchanged: don’t rely solely on a flight being listed as scheduled. Always check the status of your specific flight number before heading to the airport.
War enters sixth month
The conflict involving Iran entered its sixth month on Friday, with diplomatic efforts yet to yield a breakthrough.
US diplomats and some family members have started returning to American embassies across the Middle East, while Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain eased restrictions during the week.
Meanwhile, US Central Command said 82 commercial vessels had been redirected as part of the US blockade, adding to uncertainty surrounding regional shipping, transport and supply chains.
On the diplomatic front, Iran’s foreign minister said negotiations could still take place if Washington ends its pressure campaign.
Airlines continue to closely monitor the broader regional situation, amid concerns that further developments could affect airspace, flight routes and operations across the Gulf.
UAE airlines
Emirates
Emirates continues to operate flights from Dubai, although some services remain affected by ongoing regional disruptions.
For Dubai-Bahrain services, EK837 has been cancelled, while EK839 is scheduled to operate.
On the Dubai-Kuwait route, EK857 is scheduled to operate as planned.
Meanwhile, EK719 from Dubai to Nairobi is delayed.
Passengers are advised to check the latest flight information through Emirates’ official channels before heading to the airport.
Etihad
Etihad’s flights between Abu Dhabi and Bahrain and Kuwait are largely operating as scheduled, with no major cancellations reported in the latest update.
Abu Dhabi–Bahrain:
- EY647 arrived late.
- EY641 is scheduled to operate.
- EY643 is scheduled to operate.
- EY645 is scheduled to operate.
Abu Dhabi–Kuwait:
- EY653 has departed.
Passengers are nevertheless advised to check their individual flight status before travelling, as schedules can change at short notice.
Air Arabia
Air Arabia has reported cancellations affecting several Gulf services.
The affected flights include:
- G9068 – Sharjah to Kuwait
- G9124 – Sharjah to Kuwait
- G9107 – Sharjah to Bahrain
- 3L020 – Abu Dhabi to Kuwait
Travellers booked on these flights are advised to check their individual booking and flight status before heading to the airport.
flydubai
flydubai is also reporting delays on some services.
FZ739 from Dubai to Ashgabat is delayed, while the latest update also lists FZ1449 from Dubai to Salzburg.
The airline has advised passengers departing from Dubai to arrive at least four hours before their scheduled departure, complete online check-in where available, and verify their flight status before travelling to the airport.
Other Dubai flights
Several other flights listed in the latest update have also been affected.
These include:
- SG052 – SpiceJet, Dubai to Pune
- IX196 – Air India Express, Dubai to Jaipur
- IX748 – Air India Express, Dubai to Kannur
- SG5016 – SpiceJet, Dubai to New Delhi
- SG5023 – SpiceJet, Dubai to Mumbai
- SG5158 – SpiceJet, Dubai to Jaipur
- SG5153 – SpiceJet, Dubai to Kozhikode
- SG5117 – SpiceJet, Dubai to Kochi
Travellers should check the status of their individual flight rather than assume that every service on a particular route is affected.
Other flights
Several other flights listed at Dubai International Airport have also been delayed or cancelled.
- KQ311 – Dubai to Nairobi: cancelled
- SG5156 – Dubai to Amritsar: cancelled
- SG5023 – Dubai to Mumbai: delayed
- WY604 – Dubai to Muscat: delayed
- PK284 – Dubai to Peshawar: delayed
- IX748 – Dubai to Kannur: delayed
International advisories
Several international airlines continue to suspend or restrict services to the Middle East, with some cancellations extending into October and beyond.
- Lufthansa Group: Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines and ITA Airways have suspended services to multiple Middle East destinations through October 24.
- British Airways: Services to Dubai, Tel Aviv, Bahrain and Amman are suspended until October 25, with reduced frequencies planned when operations resume.
- Singapore Airlines: Flights to Dubai remain suspended until October 24.
- Cathay Pacific: Dubai services are suspended until October 25, while flights to Riyadh remain suspended until October 26.
- Wizz Air: Services to Dubai and Abu Dhabi from mainland Europe are suspended until October 24, while flights to Amman remain suspended until September 21.
- Air Canada: Dubai and Tel Aviv services remain cancelled until mid-January 2027.
- KLM: Flights to Dubai, Riyadh and Dammam are suspended until October 24. The airline resumed services to Tel Aviv on August 25.
- Finnair: Flights to Dubai remain suspended until March 27, 2027.
- Air France: The airline is gradually resuming Middle East services and has restarted flights to Dubai and Riyadh. Services to Beirut remain suspended until September 1.
Why flights change
The ongoing regional security situation remains a key factor behind airlines’ decisions to review flight schedules, routes and operations.
The situation around the Strait of Hormuz is another concern for airlines operating across the Gulf, with restrictions on shipping contributing to broader regional uncertainty.
As a result, a flight listed as scheduled may still face operational changes, including delays or cancellations, depending on how the situation develops.
For passengers, this makes checking the status of their specific flight more important than simply confirming whether a particular route is operating.
DXB gets busier
UAE travellers also need to factor in another development: Dubai’s airports are becoming increasingly busy as the post-summer travel rush gathers momentum.
Dubai authorities are stepping up operational readiness across airport facilities and checkpoints as residents and visitors return from their summer holidays.
Passengers should therefore allow extra time not only for their flights but also for the journey to the airport, check-in, security screening and immigration.
For passengers travelling with flydubai from Dubai, the airline has specifically advised travellers to arrive at least four hours before departure.
What travellers should do
For passengers flying from the UAE today, the simplest precaution is to check the status of their specific flight number before leaving home.
Travellers should:
- Check their flight status immediately before setting off, even if it was previously confirmed.
- Arrive at least three hours before departure, or earlier if advised by the airline.
- Allow four hours when flying from Dubai with flydubai, in line with the airline’s guidance.
- Complete online check-in where available.
- Allow extra time for traffic, check-in, security screening and immigration.
- Keep their contact details updated with the airline to receive disruption alerts.
- Be prepared for last-minute changes, including delays, cancellations and schedule adjustments.
- Follow official airline and airport channels for the latest updates.
