UAE Flights: Emirates, Etihad Issue Fresh Travel Advisories Amid Ongoing Disruptions

UAE Flights See Mixed Operations Amid Regional Tensions and Winter Travel Rush.

UAE flight operations remain mixed on November 4, as more international airlines prepare to resume services ahead of the winter travel season, while regional tensions continue to disrupt flights. Etihad Airways, Emirates, flydubai and Air Arabia have issued updates covering cancellations, suspensions and resumptions across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.

Passengers are also monitoring developments in the Iran-US conflict and the latest US midterm election results, amid concerns over how geopolitical developments could affect flight routes and international travel.

Travellers are advised to check their flight status directly with their airline before heading to the airport, allow additional time for check-in and follow the latest travel advisories.

More airlines return ahead of winter travel rush

Dubai’s winter flight schedule is gradually expanding, with British Airways resuming its London-Dubai services on November 3. Lufthansa, SWISS and Eurowings are scheduled to follow on November 25, while Austrian Airlines is expected to restart services on December 12.

Philippine Airlines, Air Astana and Aegean Airlines have already restored their services.

UAE airport seat capacity reached 7.2 million in October, representing a 23% increase compared with June. However, regional tensions continue to affect flight operations, with Etihad, Emirates, flydubai and Air Arabia reporting cancellations and delays across UAE airports.

Dubai introduces new tourist visa and visitor schemes

From November, tourists can apply for single-entry and multiple-entry visas through the Visit Dubai website, with applications processed by GDRFA Dubai.

Dubai is also introducing the invitation-only Access Club, which offers frequent visitors exclusive experiences and membership benefits. Further details about the programme are expected to be announced.

Dubai-US flights: Emirates introduces new passenger form

Passengers travelling to or transiting through the United States must complete and sign a separate attestation form before check-in, unless they are officially exempt.

The form confirms that passengers have not visited the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) during the 21 days before boarding. Travellers must print and carry the completed document for verification at check-in or, in the case of connecting passengers, at the boarding gate.

Etihad updates Saudi Arabia flight schedule

Etihad Airways has extended the suspension of flights between Abu Dhabi and two major Saudi Arabian cities, Dammam and Riyadh, until November 19, citing ongoing regional disruption.

However, the airline is preparing to resume selected services between Abu Dhabi and Jeddah from November 6.

Iran and Tel Aviv flights remain suspended

Flights operated by Iranian airlines to and from the UAE, including Iran Airtour services to Dubai, remain suspended until further notice.

Emirates and flydubai codeshare services to Tel Aviv also remain suspended following the September 30 incident involving flight FZ1073, which diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia.

Passengers affected by these suspensions are advised to contact their respective airlines for information on rebooking and refund options.

Iran-US tensions and US midterms: Latest developments

US politics: Democrats are projected to secure control of both the Senate and the House of Representatives, marking a significant setback for President Donald Trump. The party recorded unexpected victories in traditionally Republican strongholds, including Texas, Kansas and Ohio. Trump said he would accept the results, adding that he had not been on the ballot.

Iran-US tensions: Iran says it has prepared a “maximum deterrence” plan in response to any potential new US attack, warning that it would retaliate immediately. Its military has reportedly expanded its list of potential targets to include US and Israeli assets across a wider geographical area.

Strait of Hormuz: An oil tanker was struck by two “unknown projectiles” near the Strait of Hormuz, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). The report comes after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed that three tankers had exploded after striking naval mines while passing through the waterway without permission.

US-Israel ties: US President Donald Trump has said that $4 billion in annual US aid to Israel will be cut at the end of this year. Israeli opposition leaders have criticised Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following the announcement.

Yemen conflict: Yemen’s internationally recognised government has accused Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Lebanon’s Hezbollah of deploying 21 experts to assist the Houthis in planning and directing military operations in the country.

Dubai flight status: Delays and cancellations today

Dubai International Airport’s flight information boards show multiple delays and cancellations affecting both arrivals and departures. Several SpiceJet flights operating between Dubai and Indian cities are delayed, while Flynas services to Riyadh and Gassim have been cancelled.

SpiceJet flights face delays

Several SpiceJet services between Dubai and Indian cities are experiencing delays. Affected arrivals include flights from Mumbai, New Delhi and Ahmedabad, while departures to Amritsar, New Delhi and Jaipur are also running behind schedule.

Passengers are advised to check with their airline for the latest flight timings before heading to the airport.

Arrivals: Delayed and cancelled flights

Delayed flights

• SpiceJet SG 5060: Mumbai – scheduled for 11.55am, revised to 7.17pm.
• SpiceJet SG 5111: New Delhi – scheduled for 10.25am, revised to 12.08pm.
• flydubai FZ 722: Tbilisi – scheduled for 4.40pm, revised to 5.17pm.
• SpiceJet SG 5116: Ahmedabad – scheduled for 8.50am, revised to 1.32pm.
• My Freighter Airlines C6 351: Tashkent – scheduled for 11.35am, revised to 12.43pm.
• US-Bangla Airlines BS 343: Dhaka – scheduled for 12.40pm, revised to 1.32pm.
• flydubai FZ 1574: Milan Bergamo – scheduled for 10.05pm, revised to 10.42pm.
• flydubai FZ 712: Tbilisi – scheduled for 8.25pm, revised to 9.16pm.
• flydubai FZ 898: Medina – scheduled for 7.30pm, revised to 8.15pm.

Cancelled flights

• Riyadh Air RX 241: Riyadh – 11.15am.
• flynas XY 811: Riyadh – 10.55am.
• flynas XY 201: Riyadh – 10.40am.
• Air Sial PF 784: Islamabad – 2.55pm.
• flynas XY 205: Gassim – 3.25pm.
• flynas XY 209: Riyadh – 8.45pm.

Departures: Delayed and cancelled flights

Delayed flights

• SpiceJet SG 5156: Amritsar – scheduled for 11.25am, revised to 12.50pm.
• US-Bangla Airlines BS 344: Dhaka – scheduled for 1.40pm, revised to 2.25pm.
• SpiceJet SG 5106: New Delhi – scheduled for 9.50am, revised to 2.25pm.
• SpiceJet SG 5123: Jaipur – scheduled for 12.55pm, revised to 8.10pm.

Cancelled flights

• flynas XY 202: Riyadh – 11.30am.
• flynas XY 210: Riyadh – 9.35pm.
• Air Sial PF 785: Islamabad – 4.10pm.
• flynas XY 206: Gassim – 4.15pm.
• flynas XY 812: Riyadh – 12pm.

Passenger advisory: Flight schedules and operational status may change at short notice. Passengers should verify their flight details directly with their airline and Dubai Airports before leaving for the airport.

Abu Dhabi flight status: Arrivals face delays

Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi has reported delays affecting several incoming flights, including services from Goa, Tel Aviv, Charlotte, Kathmandu and Lisbon. No departure delays were listed in the latest update.

Arrivals: Delayed flights

• Air India Express IX269: Goa – scheduled for 9.05am, revised to 10.15am.
• Etihad EY596: Tel Aviv – scheduled for 12pm, revised to 1.10pm. Codeshare flights MU4542, LY9606 and HM5325 are also affected.
• Etihad EY016: Charlotte – scheduled for 12.35pm, revised to 1.30pm.
• Air Arabia Abu Dhabi 3L044: Kathmandu – scheduled for 1.25pm, revised to 2.25pm. Codeshare EY1385 is also affected.
• Etihad EY100: Lisbon – scheduled for 7.45pm, revised to 8.20pm. Codeshare TP6891 is also affected.

Departures: No delays reported

No delayed departures were listed in the latest airport update.

Passenger advisory: Travellers should check their flight status with their airline or airport before setting off, as schedules may change.

Etihad extends Saudi flight suspensions; selected Jeddah services to resume

Etihad Airways has extended the suspension of flights between Abu Dhabi and Dammam and Riyadh until November 19. However, selected services to Jeddah are scheduled to resume from November 6.

Latest Etihad flight updates:

• Dammam: All passenger and cargo flights between Abu Dhabi and Dammam remain cancelled through November 19.
• Riyadh: All passenger and cargo flights between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh remain cancelled through November 19.
• Jeddah: Flights EY601, EY602, EY603 and EY604 are scheduled to resume from November 6. All other services between Abu Dhabi and Jeddah are expected to operate as scheduled.

Etihad said the situation remains fluid and further changes to its flight schedule are possible. Passengers are advised to check their flight status at etihad.com before travelling.

Emirates travel updates: What passengers need to know

Emirates has issued several travel updates covering flights to the United States, Tel Aviv services, entry restrictions and lounge facilities at Dubai International Airport.

• US travel form: Passengers travelling to or transiting through the US must submit a signed attestation confirming they have not visited the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in the previous 21 days. A printed copy must be presented before check-in, unless the passenger is officially exempt.
• Tel Aviv flights: Emirates–flydubai codeshare services to Tel Aviv remain suspended until further notice.
• Ebola-related entry restrictions: The UAE bars entry to travellers who have recently been in the DRC, Uganda or South Sudan, unless they have spent more than 21 days outside these countries.
• Dubai lounge facilities: Emirates’ First Class Lounge at Terminal 3, Concourse C, is temporarily closed. Passengers can use the lounge at Concourse B instead.

Emirates flights today: Cancellations affect Saudi routes

Emirates has reported cancellations on several flights between Dubai and Saudi Arabia, including services to Dammam and Riyadh. Flights to Jeddah show a combination of cancellations and scheduled operations, while services to Medina are listed as scheduled or have already arrived.

Dubai–Dammam flights

The following Emirates services between Dubai and Dammam have been cancelled:

• Dubai to Dammam: EK823, EK827 and EK821.
• Dammam to Dubai: EK824, EK828 and EK822.

Dubai–Riyadh flights

The following Emirates services between Dubai and Riyadh have been cancelled:

• Dubai to Riyadh: EK815, EK819 and EK817.
• Riyadh to Dubai: EK816, EK820 and EK818.

Dubai–Jeddah flights

Emirates services between Dubai and Jeddah show a mix of cancellations and scheduled operations.

Dubai to Jeddah:

• EK801: Cancelled.
• EK805: Arrived.
• EK803: Scheduled.

Jeddah to Dubai:

• EK802: Cancelled.
• EK806: Scheduled.
• EK804: Scheduled.

Dubai–Medina flights

Emirates services between Dubai and Medina are either operating as scheduled or have already arrived, while one flight is currently in the air.

Dubai to Medina:

• EK807: Arrived.
• EK2537: In flight.
• EK809: Scheduled.

Medina to Dubai:

• EK808: Arrived.
• EK2538: Scheduled.
• EK810: Scheduled.

Passengers are advised to check their flight status on the Emirates website before travelling, as schedules may change.

flydubai: Saudi flights show mixed operational status

flydubai continues to operate selected services between Dubai and Saudi Arabia, with some flights listed as scheduled, estimated or already arrived. However, flight-status information remains unavailable for several destinations.

Saudi routes with flight updates:

• Medina: FZ8387 and FZ897 are estimated; FZ827 is scheduled. On return routes, FZ828 has arrived, FZ8388 is scheduled and FZ898 is estimated.
• Ha’il: FZ8439 and FZ8440 are scheduled in both directions.
• Gassim: FZ871 is scheduled, while the return flight FZ872 has arrived.
• Jeddah: FZ831 has arrived, FZ909 is in flight and FZ829 is estimated. On return routes, FZ832 is in flight, FZ910 is estimated and FZ830 is scheduled.
• Tabuk: FZ881 is estimated, while the return flight FZ882 is scheduled.

Routes without flight-status information:

No status updates are currently available for Abha, AlUla, Taif, Gizan, Riyadh, Jouf, Nejran, Neom, Qaisumah, The Red Sea and Yanbu.

The absence of flight information does not necessarily mean that services to these destinations have been cancelled or suspended.

flydubai: Complimentary Dubai hotel stay for transit passengers

Free stopover hotel: Connecting passengers can receive a complimentary 24-hour hotel stay in Dubai when booking an eligible flight marked with the ‘Complimentary Dubai hotel’ tag.

Economy Class passengers are offered a 3- or 4-star hotel, while Business Class passengers can receive a 5-star stay, subject to availability. The offer must be selected during booking. Meals and airport transfers are not included.

flydubai: City check-in service available in Sharjah

Sharjah City check-in: Passengers can check in and drop off their luggage at flydubai’s Travel Shop in Sharjah between 9am and 10pm. The service is available from 24 hours to six hours before departure and costs Dh30 per passenger.

It applies to flights departing from Dubai International Airport (DXB) Terminals 2 and 3, excluding services to Tel Aviv.

Air Arabia: Flights cancelled from Abu Dhabi and Sharjah

Air Arabia has listed several flight cancellations from Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. The affected routes and flight numbers include:

Abu Dhabi flights

• Baku: 3L730 and 3L731
• Cairo (Sphinx): 3L383 and 3L384
• Amman (Marka): 3L138 and 3L139
• Almaty: 3L781 and 3L782
• Kuwait: 3L022 and 3L023
• Colombo: 3L708 and 3L709

Sharjah flights

• Chattogram: G9520 and G9521
• Dhaka: G9514 and G9515
• Nairobi: G9708 and G9709
• Kuwait: G9068, G9069, G9124 and G9125
• Malé: G9091 and G9092
• Islamabad: 9P745
• Lahore: 9P504 and 9P505
• Krakow: G9730 and G9731
• Doha: G9040 and G9041
• Moscow (Domodedovo): G9950, G9951, G9956, G9957, G9958 and G9959
• Yekaterinburg: G9960 (outbound); no return flight listed
• Abha: G9195 and G9196
• Riyadh: G9151, G9152, G9154 and G9155
• Damascus: G9363 and G9364
• Bangkok: G9845 and G9846
• Entebbe: G9691 and G9692
• London (Gatwick): G9267 and G9268

Other flight-status information: No flight information was available for the Yekaterinburg–Sharjah and Sharjah–Tabuk routes.

Passengers should check the latest flight information directly with Air Arabia before heading to the airport.

Which airlines are resuming Dubai flights?

Dubai is preparing for the winter travel season, with several international airlines announcing plans to restore services in November and December. Some carriers have already resumed operations, while others are expected to return in the coming weeks.

Airlines scheduled to resume Dubai flights

• British Airways – November 3: Scheduled to resume daily flights between London Heathrow and Dubai.
• Lufthansa – November 25: Plans to restart five weekly flights each from Frankfurt and Munich to Dubai.
• SWISS – November 25: Scheduled to restore daily services between Zurich and Dubai.
• Eurowings – November 25: Plans to resume daily flights between Berlin and Dubai.
• Austrian Airlines – December 12: Scheduled to restart Vienna–Dubai services, operating five times a week.

Airlines that have already resumed Dubai services

• Philippine Airlines – October 21: Resumed flights to Dubai International Airport, joining Cebu Pacific on the Dubai–Manila route. Both airlines operate four weekly services.
• Air Astana: Restored connections between Dubai and Kazakhstan, including Almaty.
• Aegean Airlines: Resumed services between Athens and Dubai.

Dubai is also expected to see up to 36 weekly flights connecting the emirate with European destinations as more services return between late October and December.

Which airlines have suspended or postponed Dubai flights?

While international connections are gradually returning, several airlines have extended their suspensions or postponed plans to resume Dubai services.

Airlines with extended Dubai flight suspensions

• Singapore Airlines: Flights SQ494 and SQ495 suspended until February 28, 2027.
• Cathay Pacific: Dubai services suspended until January 31, 2027.
• Air Canada: Dubai services suspended until the end of March 2027.
• Finnair: Dubai flights suspended for the 2026/27 winter season.
• KLM: Dubai services suspended until March 27, 2027.
• Korean Air: Dubai services suspended until further notice.
• Virgin Atlantic: No return to Dubai is planned before 2027.

Airlines that have postponed their return

• ITA Airways: Dubai services remain suspended until November 30. Passengers should check with the airline for confirmation of its December schedule.
• Luxair: Its return to Dubai has been postponed until February 2027 at the earliest.

Saudi flight cancellations: Airline updates and travel alternatives

Several international airlines continue to adjust or suspend services to Saudi Arabia amid regional airspace restrictions. The latest updates include:

• IndiGo: Flights to Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah cancelled until November 14.
• Air India/Air India Express: Services to Riyadh and Dammam suspended until November 14, and Jeddah flights until October 31. Eligible passengers can rebook or request refunds.
• Akasa Air: Jeddah flights suspended until November 18 and Riyadh services until November 30. Refunds or free rescheduling are available.
• Qatar Airways: The Riyadh suspension ran until October 25, while Jeddah services have been reduced to four daily flights. Dammam services remain suspended.
• Oman Air: Riyadh flights suspended until October 31.
• SalamAir: Riyadh and Dammam flights cancelled until October 31.
• Air France: Riyadh flights suspended until November 14.
• British Airways: Limited Riyadh services, with one daily flight scheduled to resume on November 3. Jeddah services have been discontinued.
• Cathay Pacific: Riyadh flights suspended until January 31, 2027.
• Pakistan International Airlines: Riyadh flights temporarily suspended, with no resumption date announced.
• Delta Air Lines: The launch of its Atlanta–Riyadh route postponed until March 2027.
• Lufthansa: Riyadh flights suspended until November 18 and Dammam services until November 30. Eurowings plans to resume Jeddah flights on November 12.
• Philippine Airlines: Riyadh flights PR654 and PR655 suspended until November 29.
• Scoot: Singapore–Jeddah flights cancelled until December 2.
• Gulf Air: Has resumed operations at Riyadh Airport.
• ITA Airways: Riyadh flights cancelled until November 18.
• KLM: Riyadh and Dammam flights cancelled until November 27.
• Kuwait Airways: Riyadh flights remain cancelled until airport operations resume.
• Riyadh Air: Some Riyadh flights cancelled until November 5. Eligible passengers travelling up to November 7 can access temporary travel flexibility.
• Singapore Airlines: The launch of its non-stop Riyadh service postponed until March 28, 2027.
• SriLankan Airlines: Riyadh flights cancelled until November 1.

Saudi airlines: Alternative airport arrangements

• flyadeal: Riyadh services have been temporarily shifted to Qassim Airport (ELQ), with bus transfers available from Riyadh Bus Station.
• Saudia: Riyadh flights are operating through Qassim Airport, with bus transfers between the city and airport.

Services for travellers at Riyadh airport

• 24-hour assistance: King Khalid International Airport provides an ‘Ask Me’ assistance service across all terminals.
• Luggage storage: Storage facilities are available for up to 15 days at the Lost & Found and Baggage offices in the domestic and international terminals.

Alternative travel options

• Road travel: Travellers stranded in Saudi Arabia can explore road connections to neighbouring GCC countries.
• Intercity buses: Passengers can check available Saudi intercity bus services for regional travel.
• SAR trains: Travellers moving between Riyadh and other cities can explore services on Saudi Arabia’s railway network.

Flight status advisory: Passengers should check their airline’s official website or app for the latest updates before travelling.

What UAE passengers need to know

With more international airlines preparing to restore services, UAE passengers can expect further changes to flight schedules in the coming weeks.

However, developments in the Iran-US conflict, regional airspace restrictions and wider geopolitical tensions continue to raise concerns about flight routes and aviation operations.

Travellers should monitor airline announcements and relevant travel advisories, and confirm their flight status directly with their airline before heading to the airport.