Singapore Airlines extends Dubai flight cancellations until October as British Airways updates policy.
Dubai: Travellers flying to and from the UAE are facing continued uncertainty, with international airlines extending flight suspensions, new health requirements introduced for passengers travelling to India, and regional carriers continuing to revise schedules amid ongoing security concerns.
The latest updates involve British Airways and Singapore Airlines, both of which have extended flight disruptions affecting regional routes until October. The move highlights continued caution among airlines, even as tensions in parts of the region show signs of easing.
Here is a complete breakdown of the latest changes and what passengers need to know.
Latest updates
Singapore Airlines
Flights between Singapore and Dubai will remain cancelled until October 24, the airline confirmed on Thursday. Passengers affected by the cancellations can request a full refund for the unused portion of their tickets, according to the carrier.
British Airways
Passengers travelling to or from Dubai with British Airways have been given an additional week to modify their plans, after the airline extended its Middle East travel flexibility policy until October 31. Eligible customers can access refund and rebooking options during this period.
Destination updates
Travelling to the UK?
The UK has updated its travel guidance for the Middle East, warning that despite a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the US and Iran, the security situation remains uncertain and tensions could escalate again with little notice.
British travellers are advised to stay informed about local developments, follow guidance from authorities, review their travel plans regularly and ensure all travel documents remain valid.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has also advised travellers to avoid security and military locations and be prepared to seek shelter if instructed.
The FCDO highlighted that Iran has previously targeted civilian infrastructure in the region, including airports, ports, hotels and energy facilities.
Flying to India?
UAE-based travellers heading to India are required to complete Air Suvidha 2.0, a mandatory digital health declaration, before departure.
The requirement was introduced after the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the Ebola/Bundibugyo outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
Passengers can complete the Self-Declaration Form up to 24 hours before arrival. No physical paperwork is required upon landing — travellers only need to present the downloaded form at the designated health desk or immigration counter.
Flying to Saudi Arabia?
Flight operations in Saudi Arabia, particularly at Abha International Airport, are gradually returning to normal after a temporary disruption linked to missile and drone attacks.
While major airports in Riyadh and Jeddah have largely continued operating, some regional airlines suspended selected services. Travellers are advised to check their flight status with airlines and confirm travel arrangements before heading to the airport.
Some flydubai, Qatar Airways and Saudia flights remain cancelled as airlines continue to adjust schedules following recent disruptions.
Canada updated its Saudi Arabia travel advisory on July 14, advising travellers to exercise a high degree of caution across the country. It also warned against non-essential travel to Abha Airport, areas within 30km of the Yemen border, and non-essential travel between 30km and 80km of the border. The advisory also highlights Al Qatif Governorate, areas near the Iraqi border, Hafr Al Batin and Khafji.
The US Department of State has advised Americans to reconsider travel to Saudi Arabia and issued a “Do Not Travel” warning for the Yemen border area, Qatif, Abha and nearby restricted zones, citing continued risks from missile and drone attacks.
Airline updates
Gulf carriers
Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways confirmed that flight EY647 from Abu Dhabi Zayed International Airport (AUH) to Bahrain International Airport (BAH) returned to Abu Dhabi on Thursday after Bahrain Airport temporarily closed.
As a result, EY647 (Abu Dhabi–Bahrain) and EY648 (Bahrain–Abu Dhabi) scheduled for later the same day were cancelled.
The airline also said flight EY440 from Abu Dhabi to Manila on July 15 was delayed due to a technical issue. The return service, EY441 from Manila to Abu Dhabi on July 16, was also delayed as a result.
Etihad apologised for the inconvenience and advised passengers to ensure their contact details are updated to receive the latest travel notifications.
Emirates
Emirates has reported no major cancellations or delays and said it is preparing for a high volume of passengers travelling from Dubai during the busy summer holiday period.
The airline is currently operating flights to 137 destinations across 72 countries as it continues expanding its network. Passengers affected by changes can access rebooking or refund options, depending on their ticket conditions.
Emirates also announced that it has completed the refurbishment of its 100th aircraft under its retrofit programme, which it describes as the largest aircraft refurbishment initiative of its kind in the world.
flydubai
flydubai is gradually increasing operations, with Dubai International Airport expected to experience higher passenger traffic than usual. Travellers are advised to complete online check-in, review baggage allowances and arrive at the airport four hours before departure to avoid delays.
The airline has also announced the resumption and expansion of its Syria network with the launch of a daily non-stop service to Aleppo International Airport (ALP). Earlier this month, flydubai also marked the start of its first flights to Bangkok.
Air Arabia
Air Arabia continues to adjust its operations as regional travel conditions evolve, with passengers advised to check the latest flight status and travel updates before departure.
Air Arabia
Air Arabia is increasing operations across its three UAE hubs — Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah. On July 14, the airline launched a new non-stop service between Sharjah International Airport and Rome Fiumicino Airport, adding another destination to its Italian network.
The airline has also started a double daily non-stop service between Sharjah International Airport and London Gatwick Airport, with the inaugural flight taking off on July 4.
Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways is expanding its network to more than 160 destinations from Doha under its current schedule, which runs until September 15.
The airline recently announced the resumption of daily flights between Doha and Philadelphia (PHL) from August 1. It has also increased services between Doha and Dubai, raising the frequency from two daily flights to five.
Oman Air and SalamAir
Oman Air and SalamAir continue to operate regional services, with passengers advised to check the latest flight schedules and travel updates before departure as airlines continue adjusting operations across the region.
Oman Air and SalamAir have significantly increased capacity on the Muscat–Salalah route for July, adding a combined 192 additional flights and 35,639 extra seats to meet strong demand during the Khareef season.
Together, the airlines will provide more than 4,505 seats daily on peak travel dates. Salalah is also expected to welcome more visitors through new direct international connections from Bahrain, Dubai, Dammam and Baghdad during the seasonal tourism period.
Gulf Air
Gulf Air is gradually restoring services after Bahrain’s airspace reopened, including flights to key destinations such as London, Dubai, Istanbul and Riyadh.
The airline also recently launched flights to El Alamein and welcomed its latest Airbus A321neo, expanding its fleet to 46 aircraft.
Saudia
Saudia continues to adjust its operations in line with regional travel conditions, with passengers advised to check flight schedules and updates before travelling.
Saudi Arabia’s national carrier has partially resumed services to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Amman under a limited daily schedule.
The airline said the restored operations include flights between Jeddah and Dubai, as well as Abu Dhabi and Amman, with return flights also operating on the same routes.
flynas
Saudi low-cost carrier flynas has announced the launch of new direct flights between Riyadh and Aleppo, Syria, starting August 1.
The airline also recently inaugurated direct services between Riyadh and Alexandria and expanded its Summer 2026 network with new routes to Munich and Budapest.
The seasonal network now covers more than 25 international destinations, including Milan, Krakow, Geneva, Rize, Antalya, Bodrum, Istanbul, Trabzon, Batumi, Baku, Salalah, Tbilisi, Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh, El Alamein, Sohag, Sarajevo, Salzburg, Tirana, Vienna, Prague, Podgorica and the Maldives, alongside the newly added Munich and Budapest routes.
Kuwait Airways
Kuwait Airways resumed operations on June 18, more than two weeks after an Iranian drone attack killed one person and caused damage to airport infrastructure.
The airline is now operating flights to several key destinations, including London, Istanbul, Beirut, Cairo, Riyadh, Jeddah, Mumbai, Delhi, Colombo, Manila and Guangzhou.
Jazeera Airways
Jazeera Airways is gradually restoring services from Terminal 5 to destinations including Dubai, Mumbai, Delhi, Kochi, Cairo, Beirut and Istanbul.
However, the airline has warned that intermittent closures of Kuwaiti airspace could continue to affect flight schedules, and passengers are advised to check updates before travelling.
International carriers
Air Astana
Air Astana suspended UAE flights from July 13, just days after announcing their resumption, citing the ongoing escalation of the situation in the Middle East. Passengers affected can choose between full refunds or free rebooking until July 31.
Iraqi Airways
Iraqi Airways has begun a phased restart of operations, initially focusing on domestic routes including Baghdad, Erbil, Sulaymaniyah and Basra, along with selected international services to Istanbul, Cairo and Amman.
Air India / Air India Express
Air India and Air India Express flights are operating as scheduled, though passengers have been warned of possible disruptions linked to regional airspace conditions.
Air India Express launched its first direct flight from Navi Mumbai to Abu Dhabi on July 15. Meanwhile, Air India signed an agreement with Riyadh Air to build a partnership aimed at improving connectivity between India, Saudi Arabia and other international destinations.
Air Canada
Air Canada confirmed that flights to and from Dubai (DXB) and Tel Aviv (TLV) remain suspended until October 24, inclusive, due to the ongoing regional situation.
IndiGo
IndiGo said it plans to continue operating Gulf services from Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru while monitoring developments in the region.
The airline has made temporary adjustments to parts of its international network, suspending services to Langkawi, Krabi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong and Shanghai from July 1, and Siem Reap from July 3, with these suspensions continuing until September 30.
Flights to Manchester remain suspended until August 31.
Turkish Airlines
Turkish Airlines has resumed flights to Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Damascus, Beirut and Amman. Services to Dubai have increased to 14 weekly flights from June 25, while flights to Iran remain suspended.
KLM
KLM will continue suspending flights to Dubai, Riyadh and Dammam until August 23, inclusive.
Lufthansa Group
The Lufthansa Group has extended flight suspensions affecting several Middle East destinations.
Flights to Dubai remain suspended until September 13, while services to Abu Dhabi, Amman, Beirut, Dammam, Riyadh, Erbil, Muscat and Tehran remain on hold until October 24 across Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian Airlines and Brussels Airlines.
Flights to Tel Aviv have resumed for Austrian Airlines, Lufthansa and Swiss, but remain suspended for Brussels Airlines.
Royal Jordanian
Royal Jordanian continues operating while Jordanian airspace remains open. The airline is offering free booking changes or refunds for affected passengers.
Air France
Air France plans to operate nearly 170 destinations across 73 countries during the Summer 2026 season, with long-haul capacity increasing by 2 per cent due to strong demand for travel to North America, South America and Asia.
However, flights to Dubai, Riyadh, Tel Aviv and Beirut remain suspended due to the ongoing security situation, with schedules subject to change depending on regional developments.
Cathay Pacific
Cathay Pacific has suspended flights to Dubai and Riyadh until August 31, with tickets expected to go back on sale from September 1.
Philippine Airlines
Philippine Airlines has resumed the Manila–Doha route, while Manila–Dubai flights remain suspended until October 2.
Cebu Pacific
Cebu Pacific has resumed Manila–Dubai services, with flight 5J 14/15 operating four times a week on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.
