UAE airports prepare for winter travel rush as flight disruptions affect routes.
UAE airports are gearing up for a busier winter travel season, with scheduled departing seat capacity reaching 7.2 million in October — a 23 per cent increase from June.
Dubai International Airport accounts for the largest share, with 4.6 million seats, followed by Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi with 1.7 million and Sharjah International Airport with 840,000.
Emirates is offering 3.1 million seats this month, while flydubai has recorded the biggest capacity increase among major UAE carriers. Its available seats have risen 27.5 per cent since June to 1.1 million.
International flight services are also gradually returning. Up to 36 weekly flights between Dubai and Europe are expected to resume between late October and December, alongside the restoration of services to Athens and Manila.
However, regional tensions and airspace restrictions continue to disrupt some routes. Travellers flying through Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah are advised to check their flight status with their airlines before leaving for the airport.
Regional developments
- Strait of Hormuz: Iran claims four tankers caught fire after striking sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz. Separately, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that a tanker was struck by an unidentified projectile near Khasab, Oman. No crew injuries were reported.
- US-Iran tensions: US Central Command chief Admiral Brad Cooper briefed President Donald Trump on military options concerning Iran, according to The Wall Street Journal, as Washington considers possible renewed military action.
- Diplomatic efforts: US envoy Tom Barrack said Washington and Tehran were close to reaching a temporary arrangement. Iran, however, maintains that seven conditions must be met before negotiations can advance.
- Vance’s letter: Iran confirmed receiving a letter from US Vice President JD Vance but has not yet issued a response.
- Maritime security: The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has disputed US claims that key shipping routes have been cleared of mines, warning that the southern corridor remains dangerous.
Saudi Arabia: Latest developments
- Mecca: Saudi air defences intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone in the Mecca region on Friday.
- Riyadh: Two Houthi ballistic missiles were intercepted on Thursday. Falling debris caused minor injuries to a Saudi citizen and damaged a house and a vehicle.
- Eastern Province: Saudi forces intercepted and destroyed another ballistic missile fired towards the region.
- Defence coordination: Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman held telephone discussions with his counterparts in the Netherlands, Canada, Germany and Spain on regional developments and strengthening defence cooperation.
Iran flight status: Services remain suspended
Flights operated by Iranian airlines to and from the UAE continue to be suspended until further notice. The restrictions include Iran Airtour services connecting Dubai with Iranian destinations.
Passengers holding bookings on affected flights are advised to contact their airline or travel agent for the latest information on cancellations, rebooking arrangements and refunds.
Tel Aviv flights: Emirates-flydubai codeshare suspended
Emirates’ codeshare services with flydubai to and from Tel Aviv remain suspended until further notice. The suspension follows the September 30 security incident involving flydubai flight FZ1073, which was diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia.
Passengers affected by the suspension should contact Emirates, flydubai or their travel agent for updated booking details and alternative travel arrangements.
Dubai airport: Delays and cancellations reported at DXB
Several incoming flights at Dubai International Airport (DXB) are experiencing delays and cancellations, with services from Moscow among those affected. Flights arriving from Saudi Arabia, India and other international destinations have also been disrupted.
Delayed arrivals at Dubai airport
The following incoming flights have been delayed, according to the latest airport updates:
- Moscow (DME): Emirates EK132 – revised arrival 9.09am (scheduled 7.05am).
- Dushanbe: flydubai FZ778 – 9.26am (scheduled 8.35am).
- Amritsar: Air India Express IX107 – 9.35am (scheduled 8.55am).
- Almaty: flydubai FZ1240 – 10.17am (scheduled 9.45am).
- Jeddah: Saudia SV566 – 10.34am (scheduled 9.45am).
- Saint Petersburg: flydubai FZ992 – 10.51am (scheduled 7.55am).
- Minsk: flydubai FZ1716 – 11.08am (scheduled 8.20am).
- Kathmandu: flydubai FZ8400 – 11.46am (scheduled 11am).
- Hyderabad: IndiGo 6E1465 – 12.07pm (scheduled 10.20am).
- Novosibirsk: S7 Airlines S75785 – 12.19pm (scheduled 11.45am).
- Dhaka: flydubai FZ502 – 12.27pm (scheduled 11.55am).
- Yekaterinburg: flydubai FZ998 – 3.14pm (scheduled 1.45pm).
- Moscow (SVO): Aeroflot SU524 – 4.32pm (scheduled 9.10am).
- Yekaterinburg: flydubai FZ980A – 4.40pm (scheduled 3.40pm).
- Moscow (SVO): Aeroflot SU520 – 5.25pm (scheduled 3pm).
- Ufa: Pobeda DP775 – 6.40pm (scheduled 9.30am).
- Moscow (SVO): Aeroflot SU536 – 7.01pm (scheduled 6.55am).
- Moscow (VKO): flydubai FZ970 – 8.18pm (scheduled 4.20pm).
- San Francisco: Emirates EK226 – 9.23pm (scheduled 7.25pm).
Cancelled arrivals at Dubai airport
The following incoming services have been cancelled:
- Riyadh: flynas XY201, XY811 and XY217.
- Gassim: flynas XY205.
- Moscow (Vnukovo): flydubai FZ952.
- Ahmedabad: SpiceJet SG5146.
- Sulaymaniyah: Iraqi Airways IA105.
- Pune: SpiceJet SG051.
- Jeddah: flydubai FZ8272.
- Stockholm: Emirates EK158.
SpiceJet flight updates
SpiceJet services arriving at Dubai International Airport are among those affected, with both delays and cancellations reported.
SpiceJet flight delays and cancellations
The following SpiceJet services are experiencing delays:
- SG5116: Ahmedabad – revised arrival 12pm (scheduled 8.50am).
- SG5111: New Delhi – revised arrival 12.45pm (scheduled 11.45am).
- SG5060: Mumbai – revised arrival 10.02pm (scheduled 11.55pm).
Cancelled flights:
- SG5117: Kochi.
- SG5146: Ahmedabad.
- SG051: Pune.
Passengers are advised to check directly with their airlines before travelling to the airport, as arrival times and flight schedules may change.
Abu Dhabi airport: Several incoming flights delayed
A number of flights arriving at Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi are facing delays, affecting services from India, the UK, Indonesia, Israel, Pakistan and the US.
Delays on flights from India
- Trivandrum: Air Arabia Abu Dhabi flights 3L134 and EY1363 – revised arrival 9.20am (scheduled 7.55am).
- Chennai: Air Arabia Abu Dhabi flights 3L142 and EY1383 – revised arrival 9.30am (scheduled 7.50am).
- Goa: Air India Express IX269 – revised arrival 10.45am (scheduled 9.05am).
- Delhi: Air India Express IX123 – revised arrival 12.15pm (scheduled 10.55am).
Other international arrivals affected
- Bali: Etihad Airways EY479 – revised arrival 9.35am (scheduled 6.45am).
- London Heathrow: Etihad Airways EY068 – revised arrival 10.15am (scheduled 7.45am).
- Tel Aviv: Etihad Airways EY610 – revised arrival 11.55am (scheduled 11.15am).
- Charlotte: Etihad Airways EY016 – revised arrival 1.25pm (scheduled 12.35pm).
- Lahore: Airblue PA430 – revised arrival 5.20pm (scheduled 1.55pm).
Passengers should contact their airlines directly for the latest arrival details, as schedules remain subject to change.
Etihad extends Abu Dhabi-Saudi flight cancellations until November 5
Etihad Airways has extended the suspension of flights between Abu Dhabi and three Saudi cities — Dammam, Riyadh and Jeddah — until Thursday, November 5, citing regional disruptions.
Abu Dhabi-Dammam flights
All Etihad services between Abu Dhabi and Dammam remain cancelled through November 5.
Abu Dhabi-Riyadh flights
Flights between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh have also been cancelled through November 5.
Abu Dhabi-Jeddah flights
The following services between Abu Dhabi and Jeddah have been cancelled until November 5:
- EY601: Abu Dhabi to Jeddah.
- EY602: Jeddah to Abu Dhabi.
- EY603: Abu Dhabi to Jeddah.
- EY604: Jeddah to Abu Dhabi.
Moscow-Abu Dhabi flight delayed
Separately, Etihad said flight EY844 from Moscow’s Sheremetyevo International Airport to Zayed International Airport was delayed on October 29 due to an airspace closure.
Emirates flights: Cancellations affect Saudi routes
Emirates has announced cancellations on several services between Dubai and Saudi Arabia, including flights to Dammam and Riyadh. Jeddah-bound services include a mix of cancellations and scheduled operations, while flights to Medina are listed as scheduled or already arrived.
Dubai-Dammam flights
The following Emirates services between Dubai and Dammam have been cancelled:
- EK823, EK827 and EK821: Dubai to Dammam.
- EK824, EK828 and EK822: Dammam to Dubai.
Dubai-Jeddah flights
Emirates services between Dubai and Jeddah have a combination of cancelled and scheduled flights.
Dubai to Jeddah:
- EK801: Cancelled.
- EK805: Scheduled arrival at 9.20am.
- EK803: Scheduled.
Jeddah to Dubai:
- EK802: Cancelled.
- EK806: Scheduled.
- EK804: Scheduled.
Dubai-Riyadh flights
The following Emirates flights between Dubai and Riyadh have been cancelled:
- EK815, EK819 and EK817: Dubai to Riyadh.
- EK816, EK820 and EK818: Riyadh to Dubai.
Dubai-Medina flights
Emirates services between Dubai and Medina are listed as scheduled or have already arrived.
Dubai to Medina:
- EK807: Arrived.
- EK2537: Scheduled to arrive at 9.40am.
- EK809: Scheduled.
Medina to Dubai:
- EK808: Arrived.
- EK2538 and EK810: Scheduled.
Passengers are advised to check their flight status on the Emirates website before heading to the airport, as schedules may change.
flydubai flight status: Saudi Arabia routes, cancellations and latest updates
flydubai services between Dubai and several Saudi cities are operating with a combination of scheduled, estimated and completed flights. However, multiple services to Dammam, Riyadh and Abha have been cancelled amid regional disruptions.
Dubai-Saudi Arabia flights: Scheduled and estimated services
Medina (MED)
- Dubai to Medina: FZ8387 and FZ897 – estimated; FZ827 – scheduled.
- Medina to Dubai: FZ828 – arrived; FZ8388 – scheduled; FZ898 – estimated.
Ha’il (HAS)
- Dubai to Ha’il: FZ8253 – scheduled.
- Ha’il to Dubai: FZ8254 – scheduled.
Gassim (ELQ)
- Dubai to Gassim: FZ871 – scheduled.
- Gassim to Dubai: FZ872 – arrived.
Jeddah (JED)
- Dubai to Jeddah: FZ831 – arrived; FZ909 – estimated; FZ829 – scheduled.
- Jeddah to Dubai: FZ832 – in flight; FZ910 and FZ830 – scheduled.
Tabuk (TUU)
- Dubai to Tabuk: FZ881 – estimated.
- Tabuk to Dubai: FZ882 – scheduled.
flydubai cancellations on Saudi routes
The following services between Dubai and Saudi Arabia have been cancelled:
Abha (AHB)
- Dubai to Abha: FZ813.
- Abha to Dubai: FZ814.
Dammam (DMM)
- Dubai to Dammam: FZ883, FZ869, FZ863 and FZ867.
- Dammam to Dubai: FZ884, FZ870, FZ864 and FZ868.
Riyadh (RUH)
- Dubai to Riyadh: FZ847 and FZ855.
- Riyadh to Dubai: FZ848 and FZ856.
Saudi routes without available flight-status information
According to flydubai’s October 28 update, no flight-status details were available on the airline’s website for the following routes from Dubai:
- AlUla (ULH)
- Gizan (GIZ)
- Hofuf (HOF)
- Jouf (AJF)
- Nejran (EAM)
- Neom (NUM)
- Qaisumah (AQI)
- The Red Sea (RSI)
- Taif (TIF)
- Yanbu (YNB)
Status information was also unavailable for Riyadh-Dubai services.
The absence of flight-status details does not necessarily indicate that these flights have been cancelled or suspended. Passengers should contact flydubai or check their booking details directly to confirm their travel arrangements.
Air Arabia flight status: Cancellations affect Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and other routes
Air Arabia has cancelled several flights from Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, disrupting services to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bangladesh, Iraq, Kenya and other destinations.
Abu Dhabi flights: Cancellations
The following Air Arabia Abu Dhabi services have been cancelled:
Baku
- 3L730: Abu Dhabi to Baku.
- 3L731: Baku to Abu Dhabi.
Dhaka
- 3L063: Abu Dhabi to Dhaka.
- 3L064: Dhaka to Abu Dhabi.
Kuwait
- 3L020: Abu Dhabi to Kuwait.
- 3L021: Kuwait to Abu Dhabi.
Salalah
- 3L267: Abu Dhabi to Salalah.
- 3L268: Salalah to Abu Dhabi.
Sharjah flights: Cancellations
The following Air Arabia services operating from Sharjah have been cancelled:
Dhaka
- G9514: Sharjah to Dhaka.
- G9515: Dhaka to Sharjah.
Najaf
- G9371: Sharjah to Najaf.
- G9372: Najaf to Sharjah.
Nairobi
- G9708: Sharjah to Nairobi.
- G9709: Nairobi to Sharjah.
Kuwait
- G9068 and G9124: Sharjah to Kuwait – cancelled.
- G9069 and G9125: Kuwait to Sharjah – cancelled.
- G9121: Sharjah to Kuwait – not yet departed.
- G9122: Kuwait to Sharjah – not yet departed.
Saudi Arabia flights: All listed services cancelled
Air Arabia has announced cancellations across several routes connecting Sharjah with Saudi Arabia.
Abha
- G9195: Sharjah to Abha.
- G9196: Abha to Sharjah.
Dammam
- G9160, G9163 and G9167: Sharjah to Dammam.
- G9161, G9164 and G9168: Dammam to Sharjah.
Riyadh
- G9151 and G9154: Sharjah to Riyadh.
- G9152 and G9155: Riyadh to Sharjah.
London–Sharjah flights cancelled
Air Arabia has also cancelled these services between Sharjah and London Gatwick:
- G9267: Sharjah to London Gatwick.
- G9268: London Gatwick to Sharjah.
Passengers should check their flight status on the Air Arabia website before travelling to the airport. Schedules may change, so those affected should contact the airline for information on rebooking and refunds.
Saudi flight cancellations: Airline updates and travel alternatives
Several international airlines continue to revise or suspend services to Saudi Arabia amid regional airspace restrictions. Here are the latest announced suspension periods and alternative arrangements.
- IndiGo: Flights to and from Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah remain cancelled until November 14, 2026, due to regional airspace restrictions.
- Air India and Air India Express: Riyadh and Dammam services remain suspended until November 7, while Jeddah flights are suspended until October 31. Eligible passengers with bookings issued on or before October 24 can choose flexible rebooking or a full refund.
- Akasa Air: Jeddah flights are suspended until November 10 and Riyadh services until November 30. Affected passengers can request a full refund within seven days or reschedule without additional charges.
- Qatar Airways: Riyadh flights were suspended through October 25. Services to Jeddah have been reduced from seven to four flights daily, while Dammam flights remain suspended.
- Oman Air: Flights to and from Riyadh are suspended until October 31.
- SalamAir: Services to and from Riyadh and Dammam are cancelled until October 31 due to regional security developments.
- Air France: Flights to and from Riyadh are suspended until November 14, 2026.
- British Airways: A limited Riyadh service, comprising one flight daily, is scheduled to resume on November 3. The airline has discontinued its Jeddah services.
- Cathay Pacific: Riyadh flights are suspended until January 31, 2027.
- Pakistan International Airlines (PIA): Riyadh services have been temporarily suspended, with no resumption date announced.
- Delta Air Lines: The launch of its Atlanta–Riyadh flights has been postponed until March 2027.
- Lufthansa: Riyadh services are suspended until November 18, while Dammam flights remain suspended through November 30. Eurowings is scheduled to restart Jeddah services on November 12.
- Philippine Airlines: Riyadh flights PR654 and PR655 are suspended until November 29.
- Scoot: Flights between Singapore and Jeddah are cancelled until December 2.
- Gulf Air: Bahrain’s national carrier has resumed operations at Riyadh Airport.
- ITA Airways: Flights to and from Riyadh are cancelled until November 18.
- KLM: Services to and from Riyadh and Dammam are cancelled until November 27.
- Kuwait Airways: Riyadh flights remain cancelled until operations resume at the airport.
- Riyadh Air: Some flights to and from Riyadh are cancelled until November 5. Eligible passengers travelling up to November 7 can benefit from temporary travel flexibility. Those who booked through travel agents should contact them directly for rebooking or refund assistance.
- Singapore Airlines: The launch of its non-stop Riyadh service has been postponed until March 28, 2027.
- SriLankan Airlines: Flights to and from Riyadh are cancelled until November 1.
Saudi airlines: Alternative airport arrangements
- flyadeal: All Riyadh services have been temporarily transferred to Qassim Airport (ELQ). The airline is arranging bus transfers between Riyadh and Qassim Airport, departing from Riyadh Bus Station.
- Saudia: Riyadh flights are operating through Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Al Qassim (ELQ). Bus transfers are available between Riyadh and the alternative airport. Passengers should check their bookings for transfer information.
Services for travellers at Riyadh airport
- 24-hour assistance: King Khalid International Airport (KKIA) offers an ‘Ask Me’ service across all terminals to respond to passenger queries and provide travel updates.
- Luggage storage: Passengers can leave their luggage for up to 15 days at the Lost & Found Office and Baggage Office in the domestic and international terminals.
Alternative travel options
- Road travel: Travellers stranded in Saudi Arabia can consider road routes to neighbouring GCC countries.
- Intercity buses: Passengers can check available Saudi intercity bus services for connections within the region.
- SAR trains: Those travelling between Riyadh and neighbouring cities can explore services on Saudi Arabia’s railway network.
Before you travel: Check your flight status
As UAE airports prepare for the winter travel rush, regional disruptions continue to affect some routes. Passengers should confirm their flight status directly with their airline before setting off for the airport.
Even if a flight is listed as scheduled, estimated or not yet departed, its status may change. Passengers affected by cancellations or suspensions should contact their airline or travel agent to confirm rebooking, refund and alternative travel options.
Airline schedules, suspension periods and alternative airport arrangements can change at short notice. Travellers should follow the latest notifications from airlines and airports before departure.
