UAE travellers told to double-check flights amid rising Gulf and Russian airspace risks.
The US-Iran conflict has entered another dangerous phase, with US forces targeting Iranian air-defence and radar systems, as well as maritime capabilities, while Tehran continues to retaliate against US military positions and allies across the Gulf.
For UAE residents, the immediate fallout is being felt across air travel, shipping, fuel prices and the broader regional security landscape.
Meanwhile, a separate but growing aviation risk is emerging over Russian airspace, where increased Ukrainian drone activity has triggered fresh warnings for airlines and insurers.
Here’s what UAE residents need to know so far today:
US-Iran conflict erupts again after a month-long lull
The latest US strikes targeted Iranian air-defence and radar systems, maritime assets, mine-laying capabilities and communications facilities, according to the US military. (Reuters)
The strikes followed a US attack on Sunday targeting Iranian rocket launchers on Larak Island near the Strait of Hormuz. Washington said the launchers were being prepared to deploy rockets capable of laying sea mines and disrupting international shipping.
Iran responded with missile and drone attacks on US-linked targets across the region, including positions in Jordan, Bahrain, Kuwait and Iraq, prompting Gulf states to activate their air-defence systems. (TIME)
Kuwait reported further missile and drone attacks early Thursday, saying its air defences had intercepted the incoming threats. Bahrain also said it had intercepted Iranian drones. (AP News)
The escalation has renewed concerns over the safety of commercial flights and shipping across the Gulf.
Strait of Hormuz remains the biggest economic risk
The Strait of Hormuz remains at the heart of the confrontation. The US says it is escorting and guiding commercial vessels through the strategic waterway while maintaining a blockade of Iranian ports.
However, maritime traffic remains sharply below normal levels. Reuters reported that just four commodity vessels crossed the Strait on Wednesday, compared with a 10-day average of around 13, based on preliminary data from Kpler.
The US Central Command said it escorted 40 commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz on September 1, carrying around 18 million barrels of oil—the highest daily volume reported during the conflict. (The Economic Times)
The operation came after Iran claimed a crude oil tanker had struck a sea mine early Monday. CENTCOM later rejected the claim, saying there was no evidence that a marine mine was responsible.
Oil markets remained volatile amid the uncertainty. Brent crude fell about 1% to $94.67 a barrel by 3:27pm Beijing time on Thursday, while West Texas Intermediate dropped nearly 1% to around $90. Murban crude edged down to $106.10.
Two tankers attacked near Hormuz
Two oil tankers, Senegal Prosperity and Saudi-owned Sidr, were attacked near the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, adding to concerns over the safety of commercial shipping through the critical waterway. (Financial Times)
The Bahrain-based Joint Maritime Information Center said two tanker-related incidents were reported within a 48-hour period.
One involved the oil tanker Burgan, which reported a security incident while transiting the Strait before anchoring near Jazirat Um Al Ghanam. In a separate incident, another tanker reported being struck by three unidentified projectiles while sailing out of the Strait. No casualties or environmental damage were reported. (Gulf News)
UAE flights: expect a mixed picture
UAE airlines continue to operate, but schedules remain fluid as the regional security situation develops. As of Thursday morning, the latest updates showed a mix of operating flights, delays and cancellations across carriers.
Emirates
Selected Dubai–Bahrain and Dubai–Kuwait services were scheduled to operate, although several other flights listed at Dubai International were cancelled.
Passengers are advised to check their individual booking and flight status before heading to the airport.
Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways continues to operate selected services, but schedules remain subject to change. Passengers should check their flight status and booking directly with the airline before travelling to the airport.
Etihad’s Abu Dhabi–Bahrain and Abu Dhabi–Kuwait services were largely operating as scheduled in the latest update.
However, some delays were reported for reasons unrelated to the regional conflict. Flight EY440 to Manila was delayed due to operational reasons, while EY295 from Karachi to Abu Dhabi was delayed because of a technical issue.
It’s worth noting that not every flight delay or cancellation in the UAE is linked to the US-Iran conflict. Airlines continue to face routine operational, technical and scheduling disruptions.
flydubai
flydubai services were also operating, although passengers should check the latest flight status before travelling, as schedules can change at short notice.
flydubai said its flights to Dubai and Bahrain were operating as scheduled in its latest update. The airline is continuing to closely monitor the security situation, however, and warned passengers that flight schedules and routings may change at short notice.
Air Arabia
Air Arabia reported several cancellations, including G9068 and G9124 from Sharjah to Kuwait, G9107 from Sharjah to Bahrain, and 3L020 from Abu Dhabi to Kuwait.
Passengers should check their individual flight status before travelling rather than assume that an entire route has been suspended.
Air France pauses Dubai flights
Air France has temporarily suspended its Dubai services amid the evolving regional security situation. Passengers booked to travel should check directly with the airline for the latest information on their flight and any alternative arrangements.
International carriers are also adjusting their schedules as the regional security situation continues to evolve.
Air France has suspended its Dubai services until September 4, with departures from Dubai suspended through September 5.
Other international airlines have maintained or extended temporary suspensions, while some carriers are gradually restoring services as parts of the regional network begin to stabilise.
A second aviation challenge: Ukraine-Russia
UAE travellers heading towards Europe and Asia also need to keep an eye on developments well beyond the Gulf.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned that increased Ukrainian drone activity is making parts of Russian airspace more challenging for civilian aviation. Ukraine has also raised its concerns with the International Civil Aviation Organization.
Russia, however, has rejected the warning, maintaining that its airspace and airports remain operational and safe.
European and US airlines have largely avoided Russian airspace since Moscow’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. However, carriers from China, Turkey, the UAE and other Gulf states continue to use parts of the airspace.
Reuters reported that Moscow’s airports faced significant disruption on Wednesday, with hundreds of delays and dozens of cancellations. Some airlines cancelled flights without directly linking the decisions to the reported Ukrainian drone threat.
Rubio raises another warning: sanctions
The conflict is also spilling into the economic sphere. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that countries helping Iran evade US sanctions could themselves face penalties.
Rubio said Washington would not object to countries pursuing their own foreign policies or maintaining diplomatic ties with Tehran. However, he warned against helping Iran establish mechanisms to generate revenue that the US believes could support terrorism or Iran’s nuclear programme.
The warning comes as Iran faces growing economic pressure from the US blockade and sanctions, alongside sharply reduced oil exports.
What does this mean for UAE residents?
For most people in the UAE, daily life continues as normal. The bigger issue is uncertainty, particularly for travellers and businesses exposed to regional disruptions.
For travellers: Passengers departing Dubai have been advised to arrive at least four hours before departure and complete online check-in where possible.
Flights: Be prepared for possible cancellations, delays, diversions and last-minute schedule changes.
Gulf routes: Bahrain, Kuwait and other destinations remain particularly sensitive to developments on the military front.
Long-haul flights: Russian airspace risks could affect some Europe- and Asia-bound routes even when the flight has no direct connection to the Middle East.
Fuel: Renewed tensions around the Strait of Hormuz could keep oil prices elevated.
Shipping: Prolonged disruption could eventually feed through to freight costs and consumer prices.
Travel insurance: Check whether your policy covers cancellations, delays or rerouting linked to war, airspace closures or government travel restrictions.
Most importantly, don’t assume your flight is operating simply because it operated yesterday.
Check your airline’s app, check the airport’s latest status and check again before leaving home.
In a region where the security picture can change within hours—and where a second conflict is now complicating Russian airspace—the safest itinerary today is the one you verify twice.
What’s next?
The immediate question is whether the latest US-Iran exchange remains a short, sharp escalation or develops into another sustained phase of the conflict.
The US says it has destroyed Iranian capabilities threatening the Strait of Hormuz and remains prepared to “strike again”, while President Donald Trump has warned of further military action.
Iran, meanwhile, has shown that it retains the ability to threaten US positions and commercial shipping across the region.
Diplomacy remains possible, but for now, events on the battlefield are moving faster than those at the negotiating table.
