Emirates, Etihad and flydubai continue to operate selected services as airlines monitor the evolving regional situation.
Dubai: Flying from the UAE today? Airlines are operating a mixed network of normal, reduced, delayed and suspended services as the US-Iran conflict and wider regional security situation continue to affect aviation operations.
Air France has suspended Dubai flights until September 4, while UAE carriers continue to operate key routes, albeit with some cancellations and delays.
For travellers, the advice remains the same: check your individual flight status before heading to the airport, even if your booking was previously confirmed.
War status
The US-Iran conflict has intensified, with US forces striking Iranian air-defence, radar and maritime capabilities, while Iran has targeted US bases across the region.
The escalation has also disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, with US forces escorting oil tankers and enforcing a blockade against Iran.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has separately warned countries helping Iran evade American sanctions that they could face penalties.
The wider security situation continues to create uncertainty for airlines operating in and around the region.
UAE airlines
Etihad
Etihad’s services between Abu Dhabi, Bahrain and Kuwait were largely operating as scheduled, with no major cancellations reported in the latest update.
Flights including EY641, EY643 and EY645 to Bahrain were scheduled to operate, while EY653 from Abu Dhabi to Kuwait had already departed.
However, the airline also reported some delays unrelated to the regional conflict. EY440 from Abu Dhabi to Manila was delayed for operational reasons, while EY295 from Karachi to Abu Dhabi was delayed due to a technical issue.
Etihad is advising passengers to check their individual flight status before travelling, as schedules can change at short notice.
Emirates
Emirates was scheduled to operate Dubai-Bahrain flights EK837 and EK839, while EK857 was scheduled to operate between Dubai and Kuwait.
Passengers have been advised to check the airline’s latest updates before travelling, as schedules may change at short notice.
flydubai
flydubai said all flights to Dubai and Bahrain were operating as scheduled in the latest update.
However, the airline is advising passengers departing from Dubai to arrive at least four hours before departure, complete online check-in where available and check their flight status before travelling.
Air Arabia
Air Arabia reported cancellations on several services:
The following Air Arabia services were cancelled:
- G9068 — Sharjah to Kuwait
- G9124 — Sharjah to Kuwait
- G9107 — Sharjah to Bahrain
- 3L020 — Abu Dhabi to Kuwait
Other Dubai airport flights
Several other flights were also affected:
- Air France AF655: Dubai–Paris — cancelled
- Kenya Airways KQ311: Dubai–Nairobi — cancelled
- Kenya Airways KQ305: Dubai–Nairobi — delayed
- SpiceJet SG052: Dubai–Pune — delayed
- SpiceJet SG5105: Dubai–New Delhi — delayed
- SpiceJet SG5023: Dubai–Mumbai — delayed
- SpiceJet SG5153: Dubai–Kozhikode — delayed
- Emirates EK376A: Dubai–Bangkok — cancelled
- Emirates EK510A: Dubai–New Delhi — cancelled
- Emirates EK366A: Dubai–Taipei — cancelled
Note: The cancellations and delays listed above may have different causes. Some may be linked to the wider regional situation, while others may be due to operational or technical reasons.
Russia situation
UAE airlines are also monitoring developments in Russian airspace after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that increasing drone activity could make the skies increasingly unsafe.
flydubai told Gulf News it is closely monitoring the situation and adjusting schedules and flight routings when necessary, while warning that delays or diversions are possible.
Emirates, Etihad and Air Arabia have also been approached for comment.
Travel advisories
UK
The UK Foreign Office currently advises against all but essential travel to the UAE, warning that the regional security situation remains unpredictable.
Its latest guidance says Iran could launch further attacks with little warning and that hostilities could resume at short notice.
US
The US travel advisory places the UAE and several other countries in the region at Level 3: Reconsider Travel, while countries experiencing higher levels of conflict remain at Level 4: Do Not Travel.
US citizens in the Middle East are advised to exercise increased caution and be prepared for potential flight cancellations, airspace closures and other travel disruptions.
Australia and Canada
Australia has lowered its UAE travel advice from Level 4, “Do Not Travel”, to Level 3, “Reconsider your need to travel”.
Canada continues to advise travellers to exercise a “high degree of caution” in the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar. Canadian officials have also advised citizens to keep their travel documents up to date and maintain sufficient supplies in case they need to shelter in place if commercial flights are suspended.
International airlines
International carriers are gradually restoring services to the UAE, although the situation remains mixed.
Turkish Airlines has resumed flights to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, while services to Iran remain suspended and further cancellations are possible.
Qatar Airways is operating multiple daily flights to Dubai and has resumed services to Bahrain, Kuwait and Erbil. The airline said its network has recovered to more than 160 destinations, representing around 85 per cent of its pre-war network.
Air India and Air India Express have restored their full GCC networks, together operating around 780 weekly flights between India and the region. However, ongoing regional airspace closures could still affect services.
IndiGo continues to operate selected services to the Middle East while closely monitoring the situation.
flynas is operating daily services to Dubai, Doha and Bahrain, while Jazeera Airways is operating selected flights to Dubai. Jazeera has warned that intermittent closures of Kuwait airport and its airspace could still cause disruption.
Air France is among the latest international carriers to suspend a UAE route. The airline said it is monitoring developments in the Near and Middle East in real time and has suspended flights to and from Dubai until September 4, with departures from Dubai suspended through September 5.
Air France has resumed flights to Tel Aviv and Riyadh, while services to Beirut remain suspended through September 13.
Suspended routes
Several international airlines continue to suspend services to and from the UAE.
Air Canada has suspended Dubai flights until mid-January 2027, while British Airways has suspended services to Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Its Dubai flights are scheduled to resume on October 25, albeit at a reduced frequency.
Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, ITA Airways, Finnair, Philippine Airlines, AirBaltic, Korean Air and Pegasus also have various suspensions affecting Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Sharjah.
Virgin Atlantic has suspended its London-Dubai service for the foreseeable future, while Lufthansa, Eurowings and SWISS have suspended Dubai flights through October 24 for operational reasons.
Other Middle East routes remain affected, including services to Abu Dhabi, Amman, Beirut, Dammam, Riyadh, Erbil, Muscat and Tehran.
What travellers should do
If you are flying from the UAE:
- Check your individual flight status before leaving home.
- Arrive at least three hours before departure, or earlier if your airline advises it.
- If flying with flydubai from Dubai, allow at least four hours.
- Complete online check-in where available.
- Allow extra time for traffic, security, check-in and immigration.
- Keep your contact details updated with the airline.
- Be prepared for last-minute delays, cancellations or schedule changes.
- Follow your airline and airport’s official channels for the latest updates.
