UAE airports gear up for the post-summer travel rush as airlines adjust flight schedules.
Dubai: After weeks of disruption, flight schedules across the UAE have largely returned to normal as of Monday, August 24, with most services operating as scheduled and only limited delays or cancellations being reported.
Emirates, Etihad Airways, Air Arabia and flydubai are operating services to destinations including Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. However, passengers are advised to check their individual flight status before heading to the airport, as schedules can still change at short notice.
The return from the summer holidays is also expected to bring higher passenger numbers, with Dubai authorities increasing operational readiness at airport checkpoints and passenger-processing areas.
War status
The Middle East conflict has entered another phase of heightened economic pressure, with Washington preparing a fresh round of sanctions against Iran. Diplomatic efforts are continuing, but restrictions and disruption affecting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz are adding to uncertainty across regional trade and energy markets.
The US is expected to announce a new round of sanctions against Iran on Monday, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent describing the measures as the “toughest sanctions in history”. Iran has condemned the planned action, with officials dismissing the sanctions as an attempt to intensify economic pressure on Tehran.
The US and Iran are currently not exchanging fire, while diplomatic efforts remain stalled.
Iran, meanwhile, is seeking to strengthen economic and security ties with neighbouring countries as it works to reduce the impact of US pressure. Iranian Parliament Speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has said Tehran plans to expand trade with neighbouring states and encourage transactions using national currencies rather than the US dollar.
What UAE airlines are doing
Emirates
More Emirates flight operations are returning to normal, with services to Kuwait operating as scheduled. On the Dubai-Bahrain route, however, some flights remain cancelled. As of Monday, August 24, EK835 and EK837 were cancelled, while EK839 was scheduled to depart from Dubai at 4pm.
Dubai–Bahrain:
- EK835 — Cancelled
- EK837 — Cancelled
- EK839 — Scheduled for 4pm from Terminal 3
Bahrain–Dubai:
- EK836 — Cancelled
- EK838 — Cancelled
- EK840 — Scheduled
Dubai–Kuwait:
Emirates’ Kuwait services were scheduled to operate, although passengers are advised to check their flight status before travelling, as schedules can change at short notice.
- EK857 — Scheduled
- EK858 — Scheduled
- EK434 — Delayed
Etihad
Etihad Airways is reporting a number of operational and technical delays. Flight EY406 from Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport to Bangkok on August 24 has been delayed for operational reasons, while the return EY407 from Bangkok to Abu Dhabi is also expected to be delayed.
The airline also said EY042 from Amsterdam to Abu Dhabi on August 23 was delayed due to a technical issue. Services between Abu Dhabi and Bahrain and Abu Dhabi and Kuwait were scheduled to operate.
Passengers should check their flight status directly with the airline before heading to the airport, as timings can change at short notice.
Abu Dhabi–Bahrain:
- EY647 — Arrived
- EY641 — Scheduled
- EY645 — Scheduled
Bahrain–Abu Dhabi:
- EY648 — Arrived
- EY642 — Scheduled
- EY646 — Scheduled
Abu Dhabi–Kuwait:
- EY653 — Scheduled
- EY654 — Scheduled
- EY654 — Scheduled
flydubai
flydubai services to Kuwait, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia are operating, although passengers are advised to check their individual flight status before travelling, as schedules remain subject to change. The airline is also advising passengers departing from Dubai to arrive at the airport four hours before their scheduled departure.
Air Arabia
Air Arabia continues to report some cancellations and pending departures across services between the UAE and Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar. Passengers should check the latest flight status before heading to the airport, as schedules can change at short notice.
Abu Dhabi–Kuwait:
- 3L020 — Cancelled
- 3L022 — Yet to depart
Kuwait–Abu Dhabi:
- 3L021 — Cancelled
- 3L023 — Not departed
Abu Dhabi–Bahrain:
- 3L015 — Flight time updated
- 3L017 — Not departed
Sharjah–Bahrain:
- Passengers should check the latest status directly with Air Arabia, as flight schedules remain subject to change. The airline’s official flight-status tool provides the latest departure and arrival information.
- G9107 — Cancelled
- G9101, G9103, G9105 — Not departed
Bahrain–Sharjah:
- G9108 — Cancelled
- G9102, G9104, G9106 — Not departed
Sharjah–Kuwait:
- G9068, G9124 — Cancelled
- G9121 — Not departed
Kuwait–Sharjah:
- G9069, G9125 — Cancelled
- G9122 — Not departed
Doha–Sharjah:
Air Arabia has also reported changes to selected Doha-Sharjah services. Passengers should check the airline’s official flight-status page for the latest departure information, as schedules can change at short notice.
- G9138 — Cancelled
Sharjah–Doha:
- G9138 — Cancelled
What international carriers are saying
Several international airlines continue to suspend or adjust services to and from Dubai and other destinations in the Middle East.
- Air Canada: Dubai services suspended until mid-January 2027.
- British Airways: Dubai, Tel Aviv, Bahrain and Amman services suspended until October 25.
- Singapore Airlines: Dubai services suspended until October 24.
- KLM: Dubai, Riyadh and Dammam services suspended until September 6.
- Philippine Airlines: Dubai services suspended until October 2.
- Lufthansa and Swiss: Dubai services suspended until September 13.
- Turkish Airlines: Services to Abu Dhabi and Dubai have resumed, while flights to Iran remain suspended.
These schedules remain subject to change depending on the regional security situation, airspace restrictions and operational conditions. Passengers should check directly with their airline before travelling.
What is causing the delays?
Flight disruptions are being driven by a combination of factors rather than a single issue.
The ongoing regional conflict and uncertainty around the Strait of Hormuz continue to affect regional aviation, prompting airlines to review and adjust schedules as security conditions evolve. Some carriers are operating reduced services or making last-minute changes on Gulf routes.
The post-summer travel rush is another factor. UAE airports are preparing for higher passenger numbers as residents and visitors return from holidays, which could mean longer queues at check-in, security and immigration. Travellers have been advised to allow extra time and check their flight status before leaving for the airport.
Travelling to India?
Indian airports are set to streamline the international departure process from September 1.
International passengers flying out of India will no longer need to have their boarding passes physically stamped at immigration counters. The Bureau of Immigration is moving to accept e-boarding passes on smartphones at all international airports.
The change was communicated through an internal directive sent to airport operators and the Central Industrial Security Force, according to a report by Hindustan Times.
For UAE residents travelling to India, this means the physical boarding-pass stamping process at immigration will be removed from September 1.
What travellers should keep in mind
With flight schedules still subject to short-notice changes and airports entering a busier post-summer period, passengers should:
- Check their flight status immediately before leaving home, even if it was previously confirmed.
- Arrive at least three hours before departure, or earlier if advised by the airline.
- Allow four hours when flying from Dubai with flydubai, in line with the carrier’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.
- Be prepared for last-minute delays, cancellations or schedule changes.
- Follow official airline and airport channels for the latest updates.
