Most UAE flights remain operational as regional tensions cause delays and cancellations.
Dubai: Flight operations across the UAE have largely stabilised, but passengers travelling today are advised to check their individual flight status before heading to the airport, as delays and cancellations continue to affect some services.
Emirates, Etihad, Air Arabia and flydubai are operating most services, although some flights to Bahrain, Kuwait and other destinations remain disrupted.
The resumption of Air France services to Dubai and Riyadh signals a gradual recovery in international capacity, although several global carriers continue to suspend selected Middle East routes.
Latest regional developments
Another tense day is unfolding in the Middle East after a tanker was struck by an unknown projectile near Khasab, Oman, in the Strait of Hormuz.
The impact sparked a fire on board, which was later extinguished. All crew members were reported safe, while authorities continue to investigate the incident. No party has been officially blamed for the attack.
The incident comes as Qatar’s Prime Minister travels to Tehran on August 27 to advance mediation efforts aimed at easing regional tensions and reviving stalled diplomacy between Iran and the United States.
Iran and Oman are also working on arrangements for navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. While the two countries have agreed on a temporary shipping route, key details remain unresolved and the waterway has not fully reopened.
Emirates
Emirates continues to operate most of its services, although some flights remain affected by the ongoing regional situation. The airline has cancelled selected Dubai-Bahrain services, while its Dubai-Kuwait route remains scheduled. Passengers are advised to check their flight status through Emirates’ official channels before travelling.
Several Emirates services remain affected, with cancellations and delays reported on some routes.
Dubai-Bahrain:
- EK835 — cancelled
- EK837 — cancelled
- EK839 — scheduled
- EK833 — cancelled
Dubai-Kuwait:
- EK857 — scheduled
Other affected services include EK109 from Dubai to Malta and EK261 from Dubai to São Paulo, both of which have been reported as delayed.
Passengers should check the latest status through Emirates’ official flight-status page before travelling, as schedules can change at short notice.
Etihad
Etihad’s services between Abu Dhabi and Bahrain are largely operating, although individual flights may still be affected by the ongoing regional situation.
EY647 has arrived, while EY641 and EY645 are scheduled to operate. On the Abu Dhabi-Kuwait route, EY653 is delayed.
Etihad flight EY061 from Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport to London Heathrow on August 26 was also delayed for operational reasons, with the return EY062 from London to Abu Dhabi subsequently affected. Etihad has confirmed the delays on its official flight-status page.
Passengers should check Etihad’s latest flight status before travelling, as schedules can change at short notice.
Flight EY363 from Calicut to Abu Dhabi was delayed due to a technical issue. Passengers are advised to check their individual flight status before travelling, as schedules can change at short notice.
flydubai
Several flydubai services have been affected, with multiple delays and one cancellation reported:
- FZ1569 — Dubai to Malé — delayed
- FZ841 — Dubai to Riyadh — delayed
- FZ8506 — Dubai to Kuwait — cancelled
- FZ539 — Dubai to Kathmandu — delayed
- FZ1595 — Dubai to Kathmandu — delayed
- FZ1113 — Dubai to Damascus — delayed
- FZ221 — Dubai to Najaf — delayed
flydubai advises passengers departing from Dubai to arrive at least four hours before their scheduled departure, complete online check-in where available and verify their flight status before heading to the airport. The airline provides real-time flight updates through its official flight-status service.
flydubai flight status
Air Arabia
Air Arabia has reported cancellations on several regional services amid the ongoing disruption:
- G9068 — Sharjah to Kuwait — cancelled
- G9124 — Sharjah to Kuwait — cancelled
- G9107 — Sharjah to Bahrain — cancelled
- 3L020 — Abu Dhabi to Kuwait — cancelled
Air Arabia advises passengers to check their individual flight status before travelling, as schedules may change at short notice.
Other DXB flights
Several other services from Dubai International Airport are also facing disruptions.
Turkish Airlines flight TK763 from Dubai to Istanbul is delayed, while PA411 from Dubai to Lahore and IndiGo flight 6E1476 from Dubai to Kochi are also delayed.
SpiceJet flight SG5117 from Dubai to Kochi has been reported as cancelled. Passengers should verify the latest status directly with their airline before heading to the airport, as flight information can change.
Air France returns
Air France has resumed flights to Dubai after months of disruption and repeated cancellations linked to regional tensions.
The French national carrier said services to Dubai and Riyadh would resume on August 26, while flights to Beirut would remain suspended until September 1. The airline said it continues to monitor developments across the Near and Middle East in real time.
Air France cautioned that the resumption of services remains subject to ongoing assessments of the local security situation, which continues to evolve rapidly.
Several international airlines continue to adjust their Middle East schedules as security concerns and regional airspace restrictions persist, affecting flight operations across the region.
The latest schedules show that several international airlines continue to suspend or adjust Middle East services amid ongoing regional tensions and airspace restrictions.
- Air Canada: Dubai services suspended until mid-January 2027.
- British Airways: Services to Dubai, Tel Aviv, Bahrain and Amman suspended until October 25.
- Singapore Airlines: Dubai services suspended until October 24.
- KLM: Services to Dubai, Riyadh and Dammam suspended, with schedules subject to further changes.
- Philippine Airlines: Dubai services suspended until October 2.
- Lufthansa and SWISS: Dubai services suspended until October 24.
- Turkish Airlines: Services to Abu Dhabi and Dubai have resumed, while flights to Iran remain suspended.
Airlines continue to review their schedules as the regional security situation and airspace restrictions evolve. The dates listed are subject to change, so passengers should check directly with their airline before travelling.
Why flights are changing
The continuing security situation in the Middle East is prompting airlines to reassess routes, flight schedules and operational plans. Airspace restrictions and uncertainty around regional developments remain key factors behind the suspensions and adjustments.
The situation around the Strait of Hormuz is another concern for carriers operating across the Gulf, adding to wider uncertainty affecting regional transport and travel.
Airlines can make operational changes at short notice depending on how the regional situation develops. As a result, a flight listed as scheduled may still face delays or cancellation.
For passengers, checking the specific flight number is therefore more reliable than relying solely on the overall route schedule.
DXB gets busier
Dubai International Airport is entering a busier period as residents and visitors return from their summer holidays, driving up passenger traffic.
Airport authorities are strengthening operational readiness across terminals, checkpoints and other facilities to manage the expected increase in travellers and help keep passenger flows moving smoothly.
Travellers should allow extra time for road traffic, check-in, security screening and immigration, particularly during peak departure periods.
What travellers should do
UAE passengers flying today are advised to:
- Check their specific flight status before leaving home, even if the flight was previously confirmed.
- Arrive at least three hours before departure, or earlier if advised by their airline.
- Allow four hours when flying from Dubai with flydubai, in line with the airline’s guidance.
- Complete online check-in where available.
- Allow additional time for 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.
What to watch
For UAE residents and travellers, key developments to monitor include the situation around the Strait of Hormuz, US-Iran diplomatic efforts, potential further sanctions, oil prices and changes to airline schedules.
Any escalation around the strategic waterway could have wider implications for regional shipping and energy markets, while airlines may continue to reassess their operations in response to changing security conditions.
For passengers, the most important step remains simple: check your airline and airport status before setting out. A flight that is currently listed as scheduled can still be delayed or cancelled as conditions evolve.
