Airlines Adjust Flight Schedules as Travel Advisories Warn of Potential Disruptions.
Dubai: UAE travellers are being advised to check their flight status before leaving for the airport on Friday, as multiple delays have been reported at Dubai International Airport and Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi amid renewed regional tensions.
Airlines continue to operate, but flight schedules remain subject to change. Meanwhile, the UAE has suspended flights operated by Iranian airlines until further notice.
The outlook for the weekend remains fluid, with passengers advised to allow additional time at airports and closely monitor updates from their airlines. However, not all disruptions are linked to regional tensions, with carriers also reporting delays caused by technical and operational issues.
Rising jet fuel costs are adding further pressure on the aviation industry. The global average jet fuel price increased 7.4 per cent week-on-week to $194.90 a barrel in the week ending September 18, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Regional security
Iran has called on Washington to return to the memorandum of understanding reached earlier this year, with Iranian officials saying the US has been given four to five days to meet Tehran’s conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
The development keeps the strategically important waterway at the centre of the broader conflict, adding another layer of uncertainty for regional energy and aviation markets.
For travellers in the UAE, the immediate concern remains potential changes to flight schedules and airspace restrictions rather than a widespread suspension of commercial aviation across the country.
UAE-Iran flights
The UAE suspended flights operated by Iranian airlines to and from the country from September 24 until further notice, according to the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).
The authority said the decision followed a US ban affecting the use of airports in various countries by Iranian airlines.
Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports
Dubai International Airport (DXB)
Several flights departing from DXB experienced delays on Friday morning. The airport continues to handle international services, although passengers are advised to confirm the status of their individual flights before travelling to the airport.
Flights reporting delays included:
- SpiceJet SG5158 — Dubai to Jaipur
- Belavia B2718 — Dubai to Minsk
- SpiceJet SG5023 — Dubai to Mumbai
- SpiceJet SG5016 — Dubai to New Delhi
- SpiceJet SG5153 — Dubai to Kozhikode
- SpiceJet SG5117 — Dubai to Kochi
Zayed International Airport (AUH)
Several delays were also reported at Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport.
Etihad said most of its services were scheduled to operate normally, although some flights to Bahrain, Kuwait and Riyadh experienced delays. Flight EY583 from Abu Dhabi to Beirut on September 24 was delayed due to a technical issue, with the return service, EY584, also affected.
What UAE and regional airlines are doing
- Emirates: Flights to Bahrain and Kuwait are operating as usual, although some early-morning services experienced minor delays. Listed cancellations include EK330 to Manila, EK943 to Baghdad, EK404 to Melbourne, EK606 to Karachi and EK390 to Phuket. Passengers are advised to check Emirates’ official channels for the latest information before travelling.
- Etihad Airways: EY647 to Bahrain and EY653 to Kuwait experienced slight delays, while EY551 to Riyadh was also delayed. EY583 from Abu Dhabi to Beirut was delayed because of a technical issue, affecting the return EY584 service as well. Etihad said its other flights were scheduled to operate normally.
- flydubai: No major delays or cancellations were reported in the information provided. The airline advises passengers departing Dubai to arrive at least four hours before departure, complete online check-in where available and confirm their flight status before heading to the airport.
- Air Arabia: Cancelled services include G9068 and G9124 from Sharjah to Kuwait, G9107 from Sharjah to Bahrain and 3L020 from Abu Dhabi to Kuwait. G9121 from Sharjah to Kuwait remained operational but had not departed at the time of the update. G9101 from Sharjah to Bahrain had arrived, while G9103 and G9105 were scheduled to operate.
International travel advisories
UK: The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office continues to caution travellers that the regional situation remains unpredictable, with possible flight cancellations, temporary airspace closures and broader travel disruption.
US: The US State Department continues to classify the UAE under its Level 3 — Reconsider Travel advisory, citing terrorism and armed conflict. The latest guidance also highlights the possibility of disruption to commercial flight operations.
Australia: Australian authorities continue to advise travellers to reconsider their need to visit the UAE because of the unpredictable regional security situation. The guidance warns that airspace could close at short notice, while flights may be delayed, cancelled or diverted.
Canada: Canadian authorities advise against non-essential travel to the UAE due to the volatile regional security environment. The advisory warns that military activity and attacks across the region could affect travel plans.
International airlines: What is changing?
Several international airlines are preparing to restore services to the UAE, indicating that longer-term network recovery is continuing even as short-term flight operations remain subject to change.
- Air Astana: Services between Almaty and Astana and Dubai are scheduled to resume from October 1–2.
- Philippine Airlines: Nonstop Manila-Dubai flights are expected to restart on October 2.
- Wizz Air: Dubai services are scheduled to resume around October 24–25, with Abu Dhabi flights expected to return later in October.
- Lufthansa: Services connecting Dubai with Frankfurt and Munich are due to resume on October 25.
- Singapore Airlines: SQ494 and SQ495 services to and from Dubai are scheduled to restart on October 24.
- SWISS: Dubai-Zurich flights are expected to resume on October 27.
- Eurowings: Dubai services from Berlin and Stuttgart are scheduled to return on November 1, followed by Cologne/Bonn flights on November 3.
- British Airways: Dubai services are expected to resume on November 3, while Abu Dhabi flights remain suspended until the winter 2027–28 season.
- Austrian Airlines: Dubai-Vienna services are scheduled to restart on December 12.
These dates reflect current airline schedules and do not guarantee that individual flights will operate as planned, particularly while regional security conditions remain subject to change.
What UAE travellers should keep in mind
Passengers travelling on Friday or over the weekend should take additional precautions and closely monitor their flight information:
- Check the status of your specific flight before leaving home, even if your booking has already been confirmed.
- Do not assume every delay or cancellation is related to regional tensions, as technical and operational issues can also affect individual services.
- Arrive at the airport at least three hours before departure, or earlier if advised by your airline.
- Passengers travelling from Dubai with flydubai should allow at least four hours before departure, in line with the airline’s guidance.
- Complete online check-in where available.
- Allow additional time for traffic, check-in, security and immigration procedures.
- Ensure your phone number and email address are updated with the airline so you can receive disruption alerts.
- Be prepared for possible last-minute schedule changes, delays, cancellations or diversions.
- Check official updates from both your airline and departure airport before setting off.
What to expect over the weekend
UAE airports and airlines continue to operate, but individual flight schedules may change at relatively short notice due to regional security developments, airspace considerations and routine operational issues.
Travellers should continue monitoring official airline and airport updates before their journey and remain prepared for possible changes to departure times, routes or flight schedules.
