European and Asian Flight Services Resume in Dubai Ahead of Winter Holidays.
Dubai: Planning a winter vacation or a family holiday this December? Travellers from the UAE will soon have more destinations to choose from as several airlines resume flights to Dubai International Airport (DXB), reconnecting the emirate with cities across Europe, the Philippines and other major travel destinations.
As many as 36 weekly flights linking Dubai with European destinations are expected to resume between late October and December. Air services to Athens and Manila are also making a comeback, offering passengers greater flexibility as they organise trips around the UAE’s public holidays and the 2026–27 academic calendar.
According to the Ministry of Education’s school calendar, the winter holidays for schools following its schedule will begin on December 14, 2026, and continue until January 3, 2027. Students are scheduled to return to classrooms on January 4, 2027.
European airlines restart flights to Dubai
Several European airlines are bringing back their Dubai routes, offering passengers more travel choices for winter vacations and festive-season getaways.
- Lufthansa: Flights connecting Dubai and Munich are scheduled to restart on October 25, followed by services between Dubai and Frankfurt on October 26.
- SWISS: Daily flights between Dubai and Zurich will resume on October 27.
- Eurowings: Services linking Dubai with Berlin, Stuttgart and Cologne-Bonn are set to return on November 1.
- Austrian Airlines: Flights between Dubai and Vienna are expected to restart on December 12.
- Aegean Airlines: The carrier resumed its Athens–Dubai route on October 23, with daily operations scheduled to begin on October 26. Aegean also maintains a codeshare partnership with Emirates.
The resumption of these routes is expected to improve connectivity between Dubai and several major European destinations, providing additional travel options during the peak winter holiday season.
Philippine Airlines makes a comeback at DXB
Dubai International Airport (DXB) announced on October 21 that Philippine Airlines (PAL) had resumed operations at the airport, joining Cebu Pacific in connecting Dubai with Manila.
According to DXB, both carriers operate four flights per week, expanding travel choices for passengers flying between the UAE and the Philippines.
The additional services are particularly beneficial for Filipino expatriates planning visits home, holidaymakers travelling to the Philippines and passengers arriving in Dubai.
Air Astana restores Dubai connections
Kazakhstan’s Air Astana has also returned to Dubai’s aviation network, restoring air connectivity between the emirate and Almaty.
DXB further announced that flights connecting Astana and Dubai would resume in July, although the airport’s announcement did not clarify the year.
The restored connections are expected to support tourism, business travel and visits between the UAE and Kazakhstan.
The resumption of these flights is expected to enhance connectivity between the UAE and Kazakhstan, making travel more convenient for tourists, business passengers and families visiting loved ones.
Riyadh Air and Turkish Airlines resume Dubai connections
Dubai International Airport (DXB) also announced the restoration of additional international flight connections earlier this year, expanding travel options across the region and beyond.
- Riyadh Air: On June 20, DXB welcomed the airline’s daily service connecting Dubai and Riyadh, operated using a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.
- Turkish Airlines: On June 11, the airport confirmed the return of daily direct flights between Dubai and Istanbul.
These services provide travellers with improved access to important regional and international destinations, catering to both business and leisure passengers.
Over 40 airlines connect Dubai with global destinations
In an announcement issued on May 23, DXB revealed that more than 40 airlines were operating from the airport, excluding its two major home carriers, Emirates and flydubai.
The extensive airline network connects Dubai with destinations across South Asia, the Gulf, Central Asia, Africa and the Middle East, accommodating passengers travelling for employment, holidays, business commitments and family visits.
South Asia
Dubai maintains strong air connections with South Asian destinations through carriers such as Air India, Air India Express, IndiGo, SpiceJet, Pakistan International Airlines, Airblue, Fly Jinnah, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, US-Bangla Airlines, SriLankan Airlines, FitsAir, Himalaya Airlines, Nepal Airlines, Ariana Afghan Airlines and Kam Air.
Gulf region
Airlines connecting Dubai with neighbouring Gulf countries include Emirates, flydubai, Saudia, flyadeal, flynas, Gulf Air, Kuwait Airways, Jazeera Airways, Oman Air and Qatar Airways.
Central Asia and Eurasia
Dubai’s connections across Central Asia and Eurasia are supported by airlines including Air Astana, Somon Air, Centrum Air, Uzbekistan Airways, Pegasus Airlines and Azerbaijan Airlines.
Africa
Flights between Dubai and African destinations are operated by several carriers, including Berniq Airways, Fly Oya, Daallo Airlines, EgyptAir and Ethiopian Airlines.
Levant and Middle East
The airport also serves destinations across the Levant and wider Middle East through airlines such as Cyprus Airways, Fly Damas (Cham Wings), SyrianAir, Iraqi Airways, Middle East Airlines and Royal Jordanian.
Flight schedules, destinations and service frequencies are subject to change. The airlines listed above are based on the DXB network information provided.
Certain flight routes remain suspended
Despite the gradual restoration of international services, some airlines continue to experience disruptions and temporary flight suspensions.
According to the available information, Air France has suspended its Dubai operations until October 31, while KLM’s suspension was scheduled to remain in place until October 24.
Passengers are encouraged to verify the latest flight schedules and operational updates directly with their airlines before travelling to the airport, as services may be adjusted at short notice.
Plan your getaway around UAE public and school holidays
With more international flights returning to Dubai, UAE residents have additional opportunities to organise winter vacations and family trips around upcoming public and school holidays.
For schools following the Ministry of Education calendar, the winter break begins on December 14, 2026, and ends on January 3, 2027. Students are expected to return to school on January 4, 2027.
Meanwhile, the UAE’s National Day holidays on December 2 and 3 provide another opportunity for residents to arrange a short getaway or an extended holiday.
As these dates approach, demand for flights may increase, particularly on popular routes serving holiday destinations and countries with large expatriate communities.
School holiday schedules may differ depending on the curriculum and individual school policies. Parents are therefore advised to verify the exact vacation dates with their children’s schools before making travel arrangements.
More travel choices for the winter holiday season
As European airlines resume operations and carriers expand connections across Asia, the Gulf and other international destinations, passengers departing from Dubai will have a wider selection of routes for their upcoming winter holidays.
However, certain flight services remain temporarily suspended, and airline schedules may be revised depending on operational requirements.
Travellers are advised to check with their respective airlines for updated flight timings, route availability and booking terms before confirming their travel plans. Families hoping to travel during the December school holidays should also verify their children’s school calendars to avoid any last-minute changes or disruptions.
