Fresh US strikes near Strait of Hormuz add to uncertainty over Gulf air travel.
Dubai: UAE travellers face another day of flight disruptions as airlines continue to adjust their operations across the Gulf, with delays and cancellations affecting Emirates, Etihad Airways, Air Arabia, flydubai and several international carriers.
The latest disruption comes as the six-month-old US-Iran conflict enters another uncertain phase. Fresh US military strikes near the Strait of Hormuz have heightened concerns over regional security and the potential impact on air and sea transport.
For passengers departing from Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Sharjah, the situation remains fluid. While several flights are operating as scheduled, others have been delayed or cancelled. Travellers are advised to check their flight status and specific flight number with their airline before heading to the airport.
The latest escalation came after US forces said Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) was preparing to deploy rockets and sea mines in the strategic waterway, raising fresh concerns over shipping and broader regional security.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) rejected Iran’s claim that the US strikes on forces involved in laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz constituted an act of aggression.
CENTCOM said the US had taken “limited, precise action” against IRGC minelaying forces that posed an “imminent threat” in the waterway.
UAE airlines
Emirates
Emirates is operating a mix of scheduled services, delays and cancellations from Dubai.
The airline’s Dubai–Bahrain flight EK837 has been cancelled, while EK839 is scheduled to operate. The Dubai–Kuwait service EK857 is also scheduled to operate.
Several other Emirates flights are currently facing delays, including:
- EK717 — Dubai–Nairobi
- EK719 — Dubai–Nairobi
- EK031 — Dubai–London Heathrow
- EK193 — Dubai–Lisbon
- EK125 — Dubai–Vienna
- EK131 — Dubai–Moscow
- EK721 — Dubai–Nairobi
Passengers are advised to check the latest flight status through Emirates’ official channels before travelling.
Etihad
Etihad Airways is also reporting a mix of delays and scheduled services from Abu Dhabi.
On the Abu Dhabi–Bahrain route, EY647 has arrived, EY641 is delayed, while EY645 is scheduled to operate.
On the Abu Dhabi–Kuwait route, EY653 departed late.
Etihad is also reporting a separate disruption affecting flight EY770 from Nairobi to Abu Dhabi on August 30. The service was delayed following an unplanned strike by Nairobi airport authorities that affected all airlines operating at the airport.
Passengers are advised to check their individual flight status before travelling, as schedules can change at short notice.
Air Arabia
Air Arabia has also reported cancellations affecting flights departing from Sharjah and Abu Dhabi.
Cancelled services include:
- G9068 — Sharjah–Kuwait
- G9124 — Sharjah–Kuwait
- G9107 — Sharjah–Bahrain
- 3L020 — Abu Dhabi–Kuwait
flydubai
flydubai is also reporting delays and cancellations on some services.
Flight FZ1847 from Dubai to Damascus is delayed, while FZ845 from Dubai to Riyadh has been cancelled.
The airline is advising passengers departing from Dubai to arrive at least four hours before their scheduled departure. Travellers are also encouraged to complete online check-in where available and check their flight status before heading to the airport.
Other Dubai flights
Several other Dubai departures are also affected, with delays and cancellations reported across multiple airlines.
- SpiceJet: SG052 to Pune — cancelled; SG5023 to Mumbai — delayed; SG5158 to Jaipur — delayed; SG5156 to Amritsar — delayed.
- Kenya Airways: KQ311 to Nairobi — cancelled; KQ305 to Nairobi — delayed.
- Turkish Airlines: TK763 to Istanbul — delayed.
- Iraqi Airways: IA128 to Basra — delayed.
- Air India Express: IX748 to Kannur, IX612 to Tiruchirapally and IX530 to Thiruvananthapuram — delayed.
- Pakistan Airlines: PK212 to Islamabad — delayed.
- Flyadeal: F3 512 to Riyadh — delayed.
Travellers are advised to check the status of their individual flight rather than assume that all services on a particular route are affected.
International advisories
International carriers remain cautious about their Middle East operations, with several airlines continuing to suspend services to Dubai and other regional destinations into September, October and beyond.
- Air Canada: Dubai services remain suspended until mid-January 2027.
- British Airways: Services to Dubai, Tel Aviv, Bahrain and Amman are suspended until October 25.
- Singapore Airlines: Dubai services are suspended until October 24.
- KLM: Services to Dubai, Riyadh and Dammam are suspended until September 6.
- Philippine Airlines: Dubai services remain suspended until October 2.
- Lufthansa and SWISS: Dubai services are suspended until September 13.
- Turkish Airlines: Services to Abu Dhabi and Dubai have resumed, while flights to Iran remain suspended.
The varying timelines underline how airlines are taking a route-by-route approach rather than applying a single policy across the region.
Why flights are changing
The ongoing regional security situation is prompting airlines to repeatedly review their schedules, routes and operations.
Developments around the Strait of Hormuz are also a factor for carriers operating across the Gulf. Restrictions on shipping and renewed military activity are contributing to wider uncertainty across the region, making flight schedules subject to change at short notice.
A flight listed as scheduled can still be subject to operational changes, delays or cancellations.
For passengers, the most useful information is therefore not simply whether a route is operating, but whether their individual flight number is expected to operate as planned.
Before you leave
For UAE passengers flying today, the safest approach is to check their flight status immediately before setting off, even if the service was previously confirmed.
Travellers should:
- Check their specific flight status before leaving home.
- Arrive at least three hours before departure, or earlier if advised by their airline.
- Allow four hours when flying from Dubai on flydubai, in line with the airline’s guidance.
- Complete online check-in where available.
- Allow extra time for road traffic, check-in, security and immigration.
- Keep their contact details updated with the airline to receive disruption alerts.
- Be prepared for last-minute delays, cancellations or schedule changes.
- Follow official airline and airport channels for the latest updates.
