Travellers Urged to Confirm Flights Amid Regional Delays and Cancellations.
Dubai: Flight operations at Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport (AUH) are continuing largely as scheduled on Friday, although several Emirates, Etihad Airways and flydubai services are operating with revised timings.
Some flights connecting the UAE with Saudi Arabia and other destinations across the region remain cancelled as airlines adjust their schedules amid broader regional disruptions.
Passengers are advised to confirm the latest status of their individual flights directly with their airline before travelling to the airport, as departure and arrival times may change at short notice.
The latest flight disruptions come as the ongoing US-Iran conflict continues to affect aviation, shipping and energy markets across the region.
However, the reasons behind individual flight delays and cancellations can differ. While some schedule changes may be linked to the broader regional situation and airspace restrictions, others could result from routine operational, technical or airline-specific factors.
UAE aviation recovery
This week’s Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2026 highlighted several trends shaping the future of the UAE’s travel and tourism industry. Among them were Dubai’s long-term plans for Al Maktoum International Airport, the recovery of UAE-based airlines, continued tourism growth, investment in attractions across other emirates, and the increasing use of artificial intelligence and digital technology in travel.
Five key takeaways for UAE travel
- Dubai’s aviation expansion: Al Maktoum International Airport is set to play a central role in the emirate’s long-term plans to expand aviation capacity.
- UAE airlines rebuild capacity: Emirates, Etihad and flydubai are restoring capacity as passenger demand remains strong.
- Dubai tourism targets sustained growth: The sector is increasingly shifting its focus from recovery to longer-term growth in visitor numbers and international connectivity.
- Tourism expands across the Emirates: Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah are investing in new attractions and experiences as they broaden their tourism offerings.
- Technology transforms travel: AI, digital services and smart mobility solutions are becoming increasingly important across the UAE’s travel ecosystem.
Regional update: What residents need to know
Regional tensions remain elevated as the US-Iran conflict continues to affect aviation, energy markets, shipping and security across the Middle East.
Oil prices have eased amid efforts by Saudi Arabia to maintain crude supplies to Asian customers through alternative logistics following damage to key pipeline infrastructure. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has said Iran is interested in reaching an agreement, even as Washington has introduced additional sanctions against Tehran.
The combination of diplomatic signals and continuing regional disruption means travellers are advised to monitor airline updates closely, particularly as flight schedules and routes may change in response to evolving conditions.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it had struck a Togo-flagged tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, alleging that the vessel had attempted an “illegal passage” through the strategic waterway.
Separately, a UN fact-finding mission said it had found “reasonable grounds” to believe that the United States was responsible for two attacks in Iran, including a February strike on a school in Minab. The mission said the school strike could potentially constitute a war crime.
Elsewhere in the region, fighting and military strikes continued to affect Saudi Arabia, Yemen’s Houthis, Lebanon and Gaza. At the same time, diplomatic initiatives involving Gulf countries, France, Jordan and the United Nations remained underway.
Dubai airport: Latest flight updates
Several Emirates and flydubai services continue to operate from Dubai, although some flights are showing revised departure times as airlines adjust their schedules.
Most scheduled services remain operational. However, passengers are advised to check the latest status of their flight directly with their airline before travelling to the airport, as timings and schedules may change at short notice.
Several flights from Dubai were operating with revised departure times on Friday, including services by Emirates, flydubai and other international carriers.
Emirates
- EK092 — Milan: Revised from 6:25am to 6:56am
- EK539 — Ahmedabad: Revised from 6:10am to 6:59am
- EK086 — Zurich: Revised from 6:55am to 7:41am
- EK132 — Moscow: Revised from 7:05am to 8:19am
flydubai
- FZ446 / EK2137 — Mumbai: Revised from 7:05am to 7:51am
- FZ192 — Cairo: Revised from 6:25am to 7:58am
- FZ980 / EK2039 — Yekaterinburg: Revised from 7:55am to 8:33am
- FZ952 / EK2176 — Moscow: Revised from 9:05am to 10:12am
Other revised departures
Other airlines also reported changes to scheduled departure times:
- SG5118 — Kochi: 3:15am to 6:28am
- TK762 — Istanbul: 5:55am to 7:03am
- DP761 — Makhachkala: 6:20am to 8:59am
- IX615 — Tiruchirappally: 8:25am to 10:22am
- SG9060 — Mumbai: 11am to 11:31am
Passengers should continue checking directly with their airline for the latest timings, as schedules may be revised at short notice.
Abu Dhabi airport: Latest flight updates
Several Etihad Airways and Air Arabia services at Zayed International Airport (AUH) were showing revised timings on Friday. In a number of cases, the updated times were earlier than those originally listed.
- EY247 — Ahmedabad: Updated to 7:41am from 7:10am
- EY285 / ET4348 — Lahore: Updated to 6:35am from 7:25am
- EY080 / SK6570 / JU8703 / GA9031 / AZ7062 — Milan: Updated to 6:55am from 7:51am
- EY303 / MS8142 — Islamabad: Updated to 7:10am from 8am
- 3L128 / EY1688 — Kochi: Updated to 7:30am from 8:26am
- EY233 — Bengaluru: Updated to 7am from 8:32am
- 3L201 / EY1685 — Calicut: Updated to 7:50am from 9:01am
- 3L134 / EY1363 — Thiruvananthapuram: Updated to 7:50am from 9:06am
- IX971 — Hyderabad: Updated to 10:55am from 2:01pm
As several services were showing departure times earlier than their original schedules, the changes should be treated as updated or revised timings rather than delays, unless the airline specifically confirms a delay.
Passengers travelling through AUH are advised to verify their flight status directly with their airline before heading to the airport, as schedules can change at short notice.
Air Arabia: Regional cancellations and schedule changes
Air Arabia reported cancellations and revised departure times across several regional routes as airlines continued to adjust their schedules amid ongoing travel disruptions.
Abu Dhabi
Air Arabia services between Abu Dhabi and Kuwait and Bahrain showed a mix of cancellations and updated flight statuses:
- 3L020 — Kuwait: Cancelled
- 3L022 — Kuwait: Not yet departed
- 3L021 — Kuwait to Abu Dhabi: Cancelled
- 3L023 — Kuwait to Abu Dhabi: Not yet departed
- 3L015 — Bahrain: Flight time updated
- 3L017 — Bahrain: Not yet departed
- 3L016 — Bahrain to Abu Dhabi: Flight time updated
- 3L018 — Bahrain to Abu Dhabi: Not yet departed
Sharjah
Several Air Arabia services connecting Sharjah with destinations in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait were also cancelled or had yet to depart:
- G9195 / G9196 — Abha: Cancelled
- G9398 / G9399 — Jizan: Cancelled
- G9191 / G9192 — Tabuk: Cancelled
- G9187 / G9188 — Taif: Not yet departed
- G9107 / G9108 — Bahrain: Cancelled
- G9101 / G9102 — Bahrain: Not yet departed
- G9103 / G9104 — Bahrain: Not yet departed
- G9105 / G9106 — Bahrain: Not yet departed
- G9068 / G9124 — Kuwait: Cancelled
- G9121 — Kuwait: Not yet departed
British Airways to restart Dubai flights
British Airways is set to resume flights to Dubai from November 3, beginning with one daily service from London. The airline plans to increase the route to twice-daily operations at a later stage.
The return of the Dubai service comes as British Airways adjusts its Middle East network ahead of the winter travel season.
Travel advisories continue to change
International travel guidance for the UAE continues to be updated as governments monitor regional security developments and their potential impact on aviation.
UK: British authorities have lifted their broad advice against “all but essential travel” to the UAE. However, travellers are still being warned that regional conditions remain unpredictable and could result in airspace restrictions, flight delays or cancellations.
US: The UAE remains under a Level 3 — Reconsider Travel advisory, with US authorities citing concerns including armed conflict and potential disruption to commercial flights. Saudi Arabia is also listed at Level 3.
Australia: Australia’s Smartraveller continues to advise people to reconsider their need to travel to the UAE because of the uncertain regional security environment and the possibility of airspace closures and flight disruptions.
Travellers are advised to check the latest official guidance from their respective governments, as travel advisories may change quickly in response to developments across the region.
Canada: Canadian authorities advise travellers to exercise a high degree of caution when visiting the UAE and several other Gulf countries amid ongoing regional security concerns.
Which airlines are flying?
Several international airlines are continuing to operate flights to and from the UAE or gradually restoring services, while others are maintaining temporary suspensions or revised schedules amid changing regional conditions.
Operating or resuming services
Airlines operating or restoring UAE services
Several carriers are maintaining or gradually restoring flights between the UAE and international destinations:
- Turkish Airlines: Services to Dubai and Abu Dhabi have resumed, while flights to Iran remain suspended.
- Qatar Airways: Multiple daily flights to Dubai are operating, while services to Bahrain, Kuwait and Erbil have resumed. Some delays remain possible.
- Air India and Air India Express: GCC operations have been restored, with the airlines operating around 780 flights a week between India and the region.
- IndiGo: Selected services to destinations across the Middle East are operating.
- flynas: Daily flights to Dubai, Doha and Bahrain are running.
- Jazeera Airways: Selected Dubai services continue to operate.
UAE routes that remain suspended
A number of international airlines continue to suspend UAE services or have announced dates for their planned return:
- Air Canada: Dubai flights suspended until mid-January 2027.
- Air France: Dubai services suspended through September 19.
- Cathay Pacific: Dubai and Riyadh flights suspended through November 30.
- Singapore Airlines: Dubai services suspended until October 24.
- ITA Airways: Dubai flights suspended until October 24.
- Finnair: Helsinki-Dubai services suspended until October 24.
- Philippine Airlines: Manila-Dubai flights suspended until October 2.
- airBaltic: Dubai services suspended until October 24.
- Korean Air: Incheon-Dubai services suspended until further notice.
- Pegasus Airlines: Services to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah remain suspended.
- Virgin Atlantic: London-Dubai services remain suspended for the foreseeable future.
- Lufthansa, Eurowings and SWISS: Dubai services are suspended through October 24, with Eurowings planning to restart Dubai flights from November 1.
Before you fly
With schedules still subject to change, passengers should take a few precautions before travelling:
- Confirm the status of your specific flight before leaving for the airport, even if your booking was previously confirmed.
- Monitor your airline’s official website, app or notifications for last-minute updates.
- Arrive at the airport at least three hours before departure, or earlier if instructed by your airline.
- flydubai passengers departing from Dubai should allow at least four hours.
- Complete online check-in in advance where available.
- Make sure your phone number and other contact information registered with the airline are up to date.
- Be prepared for possible delays, cancellations or schedule adjustments as regional conditions continue to evolve.
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, travellers should rely on direct notifications from their airline and the airport’s departure board for their specific flight.
