Riyadh remains the worst affected destination as airlines prolong flight cancellations to Saudi Arabia.
Dubai: Air passengers across the UAE are facing another day of travel uncertainty on Friday, with Saudi Arabia continuing to experience the most significant disruptions to regional flight operations. Cancellations and delays are also affecting selected services departing from Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.
The latest aviation figures indicate that Saudi Arabia’s flight network remains heavily affected, with nearly 50 per cent of scheduled departures either cancelled or not operating on October 15.
Major UAE airlines, including Emirates, Etihad Airways, flydubai and Air Arabia, have cancelled or temporarily suspended flights to several destinations across Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, some international carriers have begun reinstating their services to the UAE, although others are maintaining flight suspensions because of ongoing regional security concerns.
US-Iran conflict: Regional tensions remain elevated
Security concerns across the Middle East continue following a missile attack by Yemen’s Houthis on the presidential palace in Aden on Thursday.
According to government military sources, the strike killed at least four people and left 10 others injured.
Saudi authorities also reported intercepting a cruise missile over Medina, although the Houthis denied responsibility for that incident.
Separately, CNN reported that the US military was considering the possible deployment of its largest non-nuclear bomb against targets in Iran if US President Donald Trump decides to restart military operations.
These developments have added to the uncertainty surrounding regional air travel, prompting airlines to continue reviewing individual routes in response to evolving security conditions and airspace restrictions.
Flight operators are adjusting their schedules based on ongoing risk assessments, with cancellations, temporary suspensions and operational changes continuing across affected destinations.
UAE-Saudi Arabia flights face widespread disruptions
Flight operations across Saudi Arabia continue to experience major interruptions, with 552 out of 1,178 scheduled departures cancelled or not operating on October 15, according to aviation data analytics firm Cirium.
The figures represent a disruption rate of 46.9 per cent, highlighting the continuing impact on the country’s aviation network.
Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport remains the hardest-hit major airport, with 298 of its 366 scheduled departures cancelled or not operating, equivalent to 81.4 per cent of planned flights.
Flight operations at Riyadh airport remain suspended through October 17.
Other Saudi airports have also reported substantial disruptions. Dammam recorded a disruption rate of 45.8 per cent, while Abha registered 45.5 per cent.
Jeddah, however, has experienced comparatively fewer interruptions, with 22.6 per cent of its scheduled departures cancelled or not operating.
The situation has affected both Saudi-based and international airlines.
National carrier Saudia reported disruptions to 57.1 per cent of its scheduled departures, while budget airlines Flynas and Flyadeal recorded rates of 44 per cent and 45 per cent, respectively.
UAE airlines: Latest Saudi flight cancellations
Emirates
All eight Saudi-bound departures scheduled by Emirates on October 15 were either cancelled or did not operate.
The airline has also cancelled several services connecting Dubai with major Saudi destinations, including:
- Dubai–Dammam: EK823, EK827 and EK821
- Dubai–Jeddah: EK801, EK805 and EK803
- Dubai–Riyadh: EK815, EK819 and EK817
Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways has suspended all flights between Abu Dhabi and Dammam, as well as between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh, until Sunday, October 18.
Certain Abu Dhabi–Jeddah services have also been cancelled through October 18, with some disruptions extending into October 19.
flydubai
flydubai has temporarily halted flights to several Saudi destinations, including Abha, AlUla, Dammam, Ha’il, Hofuf, Jouf, Nejran, Neom, Qaisumah, Riyadh, Red Sea International and Yanbu.
However, selected services to Gassim, Jeddah, Madinah and Tabuk remain operational.
Air Arabia
Air Arabia has cancelled a number of flights departing from Sharjah to Saudi cities, including Riyadh, Abha, Dammam, Jeddah, Jizan and Tabuk, along with other affected routes.
Other flight disruptions affecting UAE travellers
Dubai–Tel Aviv services
flydubai’s flights to Tel Aviv continue to face disruptions following a security incident involving flight FZ1073 on September 30.
Emirates has also suspended codeshare services on the affected routes until further notice.
Travellers flying between Dubai and Tel Aviv are advised to confirm their flight status directly with their airline before travelling to the airport.
UAE–Iran flight restrictions
The UAE’s suspension of flights operated by Iranian airlines to and from the country remains effective until further notice.
Passengers whose travel plans have been affected should contact their airline or booking agent to explore alternative travel arrangements.
International travel advisories: What passengers should know
United Kingdom
The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has withdrawn its general advisory against all but essential travel to the UAE.
However, British authorities continue to caution travellers that ongoing regional tensions could lead to unexpected flight cancellations, temporary airspace closures and further travel disruptions.
United States: The US continues to classify the UAE under its Level 3 – Reconsider Travel advisory, citing concerns related to terrorism and armed conflict.
Canada: Canadian authorities recommend that travellers exercise a high degree of caution when visiting the UAE, warning that regional security developments could change rapidly and disrupt flight schedules.
Australia: Australia’s travel advisory continues to urge citizens to reconsider their need to visit the UAE because of the uncertain and evolving security situation across the region.
Europe: The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) continues to influence airline route planning through its conflict-zone safety guidance. Airlines have been alerted to potential aviation risks involving the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia: The US Embassy and consulates in Saudi Arabia have advised American citizens to remain alert amid concerns about possible drone and missile attacks.
International airlines: Latest flight resumptions and suspensions
International carriers are gradually restoring connections to the UAE, although the pace of recovery varies significantly between airlines and destinations.
Some operators have already restarted services, while others are delaying their return because of ongoing airspace restrictions and regional security concerns.
Airlines resuming UAE flights
- Air Astana: Flights connecting Almaty and Astana with Dubai resumed on October 1 and October 2, respectively.
- Philippine Airlines: Dubai–Manila flights have restarted, with reservations available from October 5.
- Lufthansa: Munich–Dubai services are scheduled to resume on October 25, operating five times a week.
- Lufthansa: Frankfurt–Dubai flights are expected to restart on October 26 with four weekly services, increasing to five from November 9.
- SWISS: Daily flights between Zurich and Dubai are scheduled to return on October 27.
- Austrian Airlines: Vienna–Dubai operations are expected to resume on December 12, with five flights per week.
- Eurowings: Daily Berlin–Dubai flights are scheduled to begin on November 1. Stuttgart–Dubai will operate four times weekly from the same date, while Cologne/Bonn–Dubai services will run three times a week starting November 3.
Airlines extending cancellations or postponing services
- Wizz Air: The launch of selected Abu Dhabi routes from Krakow, Katowice, Sofia, Cluj-Napoca, Larnaca and Budapest has been postponed until January 10, 2027.
- Singapore Airlines: Flights SQ494 from Singapore to Dubai and SQ495 from Dubai to Singapore remain cancelled until December 1.
- British Airways: Dubai operations are scheduled to restart on November 3, while Abu Dhabi services will remain suspended until the winter 2027–28 season.
- Air France: Services to Dubai and Riyadh remain suspended through October 24.
- Cathay Pacific: Passenger flights to Dubai and Riyadh have been cancelled until January 31, 2027.
- Lufthansa Group, SWISS, Austrian Airlines and Edelweiss: Abu Dhabi services remain suspended through October 24.
- Eurowings: Flights to Abu Dhabi are also suspended through October 24, with no confirmed date for resuming operations.
Wizz Air explains route delays
Wizz Air said the continuing closure of Iraqi airspace has forced its aircraft to take longer routes, with some A321neo flights requiring additional technical stops for refuelling.
The airline explained that these operational challenges, combined with prevailing fuel costs, have made the affected routes financially unviable under current conditions.
It also confirmed that flights to Jordan would remain suspended until October 25 following the country’s inclusion on EASA’s list of destinations where operations are not advised.
UAE airport operations: Cancellations and delays continue
Airports in Dubai and Abu Dhabi remain operational, with flights continuing to depart and arrive. However, passengers are still experiencing selected cancellations and delays as airlines adjust their schedules.
At Dubai International Airport (DXB), several flydubai services have been affected, including flights to Moscow Vnukovo, Entebbe, Basel, Iasi, Kabul, Sulaymaniyah, Muscat, Karachi and Mombasa.
Other reported cancellations include services connecting Dubai with Pune and Gassim.
Some Air Arabia flights have also experienced delays.
Meanwhile, Air Arabia reported the cancellation of an Abu Dhabi–Kuwait service, along with two flights operating between Sharjah and Kuwait.
UAE and regional airline operations
Emirates
Emirates continues to experience significant disruptions to its Saudi Arabia network, with flights connecting Dubai to Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam among the most affected.
Travellers are advised to verify the status of their specific flights before heading to Dubai International Airport (DXB).
Etihad Airways
Etihad has cancelled flights between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh, as well as Abu Dhabi and Dammam, through October 18.
Selected services between Abu Dhabi and Jeddah have also been cancelled as the airline continues adjusting its operations.
flydubai
flydubai has temporarily suspended operations to numerous destinations across Saudi Arabia.
However, certain flights to Jeddah, Madinah, Tabuk and Gassim remain operational.
The airline’s Tel Aviv services also continue to face disruptions amid regional security concerns.
Air Arabia
Air Arabia has cancelled several flights from Sharjah to destinations in Saudi Arabia.
Its operations to Kuwait have also been affected, including an Abu Dhabi–Kuwait service and selected Sharjah–Kuwait flights.
Important travel advice for UAE passengers
With flight schedules remaining unpredictable, travellers are encouraged to take additional precautions before heading to the airport.
- Confirm your flight status: Check directly with your airline before leaving home, even if you have already received a booking confirmation.
- Review your latest itinerary: Departure times, flight routes and operating schedules may change with little advance notice.
- Reach the airport early: Plan to arrive at least three hours before departure, unless your airline recommends an earlier reporting time.
- flydubai passengers: Travellers departing from Dubai on flydubai should allow four hours before their scheduled flight, in accordance with the airline’s guidance.
- Use online check-in: Complete check-in online whenever the option is available to reduce waiting time at the airport.
- Plan for additional travel time: Factor in possible road congestion and delays at check-in counters, security screening and immigration.
- Keep contact information updated: Ensure your airline has your correct mobile number and email address so you can receive important notifications about schedule changes.
- Understand cancellation options: If your flight is cancelled, contact the airline before travelling to the airport to discuss available rebooking or refund arrangements.
- Expect possible last-minute changes: Remain prepared for unexpected delays, cancellations or revised departure times.
- Monitor official updates: Check airline and airport websites or mobile applications again on your departure day, especially when travelling to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Tel Aviv or other destinations affected by regional airspace restrictions.
Passengers are encouraged to rely on official airline communications for the most accurate information about their individual flights, as operating conditions may change at short notice.
