UAE Airlines Report Flight Delays and Cancellations as Regional Airspace Remains Under Review.
Dubai: UAE travellers are facing another day of disrupted flight operations, with several delays and cancellations reported at Dubai International Airport and Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi as tensions around the Strait of Hormuz remain elevated.
Emirates, Etihad, flydubai and Air Arabia continue to operate a number of regional services, although flight schedules remain subject to change.
Several international airlines are also gradually resuming services to the UAE, while a number of carriers continue to suspend flights to Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
War status
Tensions around the Strait of Hormuz remain elevated, even as satellite tracking data shows early signs of tanker traffic gradually returning through the key waterway.
Brent crude was trading at around $105 a barrel on Tuesday after Gulf states postponed talks with Iran over reopening the strait, while Saudi Arabia carried out strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen.
A dispute over a tanker fire is adding to regional uncertainty, with Iran attributing the incident to a naval mine while the US military says the vessel was struck by an Iranian missile. Concerns over IAEA inspections and Washington’s enforcement of sanctions are also adding pressure to the situation.
Dubai International Airport
Dubai International Airport has reported several flight cancellations.
Cancelled flights include:
- flydubai FZ815 — Dubai to Abha
- Emirates EK237 — Dubai to Boston
- Jazeera Airways J9122 — Dubai to Kuwait
- Qeshm Airlines QB2201 — Dubai to Qeshm
- SpiceJet SG5158 — Dubai to Jaipur
- Jazeera Airways J9124 — Dubai to Kuwait
- Emirates EK083 — Dubai to Geneva
- Qeshm Airlines QB2211 — Dubai to Tehran
- SpiceJet SG5112 — Dubai to New Delhi
Delayed flight: Air India Express IX196 from Dubai to Jaipur.
Zayed International Airport, Abu Dhabi
Several flights departing from Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi have been delayed.
Delayed flights include:
- Air Arabia Abu Dhabi 3L431 — Abu Dhabi to Cairo
- Air Arabia Abu Dhabi 3L032 — Abu Dhabi to Amman
- Etihad EY822 — Abu Dhabi to Seoul
- Turkish Airlines TK869 — Abu Dhabi to Istanbul
- Etihad EY739 — Abu Dhabi to Tunis
Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways said its flights between Abu Dhabi and Bahrain and Kuwait were largely operating as scheduled on Tuesday, with no major cancellations reported.
Etihad’s Abu Dhabi-Bahrain services EY647 and EY641 had arrived, while EY643 and EY645 remained scheduled to operate. The airline’s Abu Dhabi-Kuwait service EY653 departed later than scheduled.
Separately, Etihad said flight EY801 from Tokyo Narita to Abu Dhabi on September 14 was delayed due to a technical issue unrelated to the regional conflict.
Emirates
Emirates’ Dubai-Bahrain service EK837 had arrived, while EK839 was scheduled to operate.
The airline’s Dubai-Kuwait service EK857 was also scheduled to operate.
flydubai
flydubai’s Bahrain services FZ029 and FZ023 had arrived, while FZ021 was listed with an estimated arrival time. The airline’s Kuwait service FZ063 remained scheduled to operate.
flydubai advises passengers that check-in counters close 60 minutes before the scheduled departure time unless they receive an SMS or email from the airline stating otherwise.
Air Arabia
Air Arabia’s latest flight updates show a mix of cancellations, completed services and scheduled departures on routes between the UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain.
Sharjah-Kuwait flights G9068 and G9124 were cancelled, while G9121 remained scheduled to operate.
On the Sharjah-Bahrain route, G9107 was cancelled, while G9101 had arrived and G9103 and G9105 remained scheduled.
Air Arabia Abu Dhabi’s service 3L020 from Abu Dhabi to Kuwait was also cancelled.
Check your flight before leaving
With flight schedules changing throughout the day, passengers are advised to check their flight number and latest status directly with the operating airline before travelling to Dubai International Airport, Zayed International Airport or Sharjah International Airport. Further delays, cancellations or schedule changes could be announced at short notice.
Travel advice is changing
Several countries are updating their travel advisories as regional conditions evolve, while passengers continue to be warned about the possibility of sudden changes to flights and airspace.
- UK: Broad advice against all but essential travel has been lifted for the UAE, including Dubai and Abu Dhabi, as well as Kuwait and Qatar. UK authorities continue to warn that conditions could change rapidly.
- US: The UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Oman remain at Level 3 – Reconsider Travel, with US authorities citing risks linked to armed conflict, missile and drone activity and disruption to commercial aviation. Non-emergency US government personnel and their families have been instructed to leave the UAE.
- Australia: The UAE’s travel advisory has been lowered from Level 4 – Do Not Travel to Level 3 – Reconsider Your Need to Travel.
- Canada: Travellers are advised to exercise a high degree of caution in the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar and to prepare for possible disruptions or suspensions to commercial flights.
Which airlines are flying?
International airlines are taking different approaches to regional operations, with some gradually restoring services to the UAE while others continue to suspend flights to Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Services returning
Several international airlines have resumed or expanded services to the UAE and wider Gulf, although operations remain subject to regional conditions.
- Turkish Airlines: Flights to Dubai and Abu Dhabi have resumed, while services to Iran remain suspended.
- Qatar Airways: Multiple daily flights to Dubai are operating, while services to Bahrain, Kuwait and Erbil have also resumed. Delays remain possible.
- Air India and Air India Express: Full GCC networks have been restored, with around 780 weekly flights operating between India and the Gulf.
- IndiGo: Selected Middle East services are operating, subject to regional developments and regulatory guidance.
- flynas: Daily services to Dubai, Doha and Bahrain are operating alongside selected international routes.
- Jazeera Airways: Selected services, including flights to Dubai, are operating, although conditions at Kuwait airport and in regional airspace could cause further disruption.
UAE services still suspended
A number of international carriers continue to suspend or restrict UAE services.
- Air Canada: Dubai flights remain suspended until mid-January 2027.
- Virgin Atlantic: Dubai services are suspended until October 2027.
- British Airways: Dubai and Abu Dhabi flights remain suspended. Dubai services are scheduled to resume on October 25 at a reduced frequency.
- Singapore Airlines: Dubai flights are suspended until October 24.
- ITA Airways: Dubai services remain suspended until October 24.
- Finnair: Helsinki-Dubai flights are suspended until October 24.
- airBaltic: Dubai services remain suspended until October 24.
- Philippine Airlines: Manila-Dubai flights are suspended until October 2.
- Korean Air: Incheon-Dubai services remain suspended until further notice.
- Pegasus Airlines: Flights to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah remain suspended.
- Cathay Pacific: Passenger services to Dubai and Riyadh are cancelled through November 30.
- Lufthansa, Eurowings and SWISS: Dubai services remain suspended through October 24, although some flights to other Middle Eastern destinations are being restored.
Other regional restrictions
- KLM: Services to Dubai, Riyadh and Dammam remain suspended until October 24, while the airline continues to avoid several regional airspaces.
- Air France: Dubai flights remain suspended through September 19, inclusive.
Before you head to the airport
A confirmed booking does not guarantee that a flight will operate as scheduled while regional conditions remain volatile. Passengers should verify their flight status directly with the operating airline before leaving for the airport.
Keep in mind:
- Arrive at the airport at least three hours before departure.
- flydubai passengers should allow at least four hours at Dubai International Airport.
- Check in online where available.
- Allow extra time for road traffic, security checks and immigration procedures.
- Ensure your phone number and email address are up to date with the airline.
- Monitor official airline and airport channels for last-minute schedule changes.
Live flight check: Passengers should always confirm the latest status of their flight directly with the operating airline before travelling to the airport.
