International airlines resume some UAE routes as others remain suspended or delayed.
Dubai: Travellers across the UAE are facing another morning of flight disruptions, with delays and cancellations affecting services at Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Zayed International Airport (AUH). Several flights operated by Emirates, flydubai, Air Arabia and other regional carriers have been affected.
The disruptions come as heightened geopolitical tensions continue to affect aviation across the region, even as some international airlines gradually restore services to and from the UAE.
Passengers are advised to check the latest status of their flight before heading to the airport, as airline schedules remain subject to changes at short notice.
US-Iran war and regional escalation
The latest travel disruptions come against the backdrop of continued tensions between the US and Iran.
US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday expanding access to tax-exempt red-dyed diesel amid elevated fuel prices linked partly to the ongoing conflict with Iran.
Trump also said the US had withdrawn B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford in the UK because of what he described as threats linked to Iran. US officials have given differing accounts of the circumstances surrounding the redeployment.
Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian described negotiations with Washington as “meaningless”, arguing that previous rounds of talks had been followed by renewed US attacks.
Dubai: Travellers across the UAE are facing another morning of flight disruptions, with delays and cancellations affecting services at Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Zayed International Airport (AUH). Several flights operated by Emirates, flydubai, Air Arabia and other regional carriers have been affected.
The disruptions come as heightened geopolitical tensions continue to affect aviation across the region, even as some international airlines gradually restore services to and from the UAE.
Passengers are advised to check the latest status of their flight before heading to the airport, as airline schedules remain subject to changes at short notice.
US-Iran war and regional escalation
The latest travel disruptions come against the backdrop of continued tensions between the US and Iran.
US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday expanding access to tax-exempt red-dyed diesel amid elevated fuel prices linked partly to the ongoing conflict with Iran.
Trump also said the US had withdrawn B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford in the UK because of what he described as threats linked to Iran. US officials have given differing accounts of the circumstances surrounding the redeployment.
Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian described negotiations with Washington as “meaningless”, arguing that previous rounds of talks had been followed by renewed US attacks.
In Yemen, government forces have recaptured the strategic port city of Mocha and launched a counteroffensive against the Houthis near the Bab Al Mandeb Strait.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey have agreed to activate collective defence commitments and rapidly deploy military forces and capabilities under the Mecca defence pact.
For the aviation sector, the broader regional security situation continues to affect flight paths and schedules. EASA’s conflict-zone guidance remains an important consideration for airlines operating across the Gulf and surrounding airspace.
Dubai International Airport
Several flights departing from Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport (AUH) faced delays on Tuesday morning.
At DXB, disruptions affected services operated by Emirates, flydubai and several other carriers.
Flights cancelled from DXB included:
- Israir: Flights 6H662, 6H664, 6H668 and 6H666 to Tel Aviv
- Emirates: EK366 to Taipei, EK376 to Bangkok and EK205 to Jeddah
- flydubai: FZ157 to Beirut and FZ209 to Erbil
- flyadeal: F3506 to Riyadh
- SpiceJet: SG5117 to Kochi
Several other departures were delayed, including Saudia SV563 to Riyadh and SpiceJet flights SG5106 to New Delhi, SG9117 to Kochi and SG5014 to Mumbai.
What UAE and regional airlines are doing
UAE airlines
Emirates
Emirates flights to Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia are operating, although some early-morning services have experienced minor delays.
According to the airline’s latest travel update, codeshare services with flydubai to and from Tel Aviv remain suspended until further notice.
Etihad Airways
Several Etihad Airways services have experienced delays or diversions. EY653 to Kuwait departed late, while EY551 to Riyadh also faced a delay.
Separately, EY556 from Riyadh to Abu Dhabi on October 5 returned to the stand in Riyadh following an extended technical delay. The disruption resulted in the operating crew exceeding its maximum permitted duty hours.
On October 4, EY362 from Abu Dhabi to Calicut was diverted to Thiruvananthapuram due to adverse weather conditions at Calicut. The disruption subsequently delayed the return service, EY363.
flydubai
No major cancellations or delays affecting flydubai services to Bahrain and Kuwait were listed on the airline’s website at the time of the update.
The airline is advising 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 travelling to the airport.
Air Arabia
Several Air Arabia services between the UAE and Kuwait or Bahrain have been affected.
Flights G9068 and G9124 from Sharjah to Kuwait were listed as cancelled, while G9121 to Kuwait was operational but had not departed at the time of the update.
On the Bahrain route, G9107 from Sharjah was cancelled, while G9101 arrived late. Flights G9103 and G9105 were scheduled to operate.
Air Arabia Abu Dhabi flight 3L020 to Kuwait was also listed as cancelled.
Latest travel advisories
United Kingdom: The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has removed its broader advice against all but essential travel to the UAE. However, travellers are still being warned about the possibility of flight cancellations, airspace disruption and changes in the regional security situation.
United States: The UAE remains under a Level 3 — Reconsider Travel advisory, with the US State Department citing risks including armed conflict and terrorism.
Australia: Australian authorities have lowered their UAE travel advice from “Do Not Travel” to “Reconsider your need to travel”, while continuing to warn that the regional security situation remains unpredictable.
Canada: Canadian authorities advise travellers to exercise a high degree of caution in the UAE, as well as Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar.
Europe/EASA: The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) conflict-zone information bulletin has been extended until November 16, 2026. Operators have been warned against flying in specified areas covering parts of the region, including the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia: A US Embassy security alert for Saudi Arabia has advised US citizens to remain vigilant amid the potential risk of aerial drone or missile attacks.
What international carriers are saying
International airlines are taking different approaches to UAE services, with some restoring flights while others continue to suspend or postpone routes amid regional security concerns.
- Air Astana: Services from Almaty and Astana to Dubai resumed on October 1 and October 2, respectively.
- Philippine Airlines: Dubai-Manila services have resumed, with bookings available from October 5.
- Lufthansa Group: Dubai services are expected to return gradually from late October. Munich-Dubai flights are scheduled to resume from October 25, followed by Frankfurt-Dubai on October 26 and SWISS services between Zurich and Dubai on October 27. Austrian Airlines and Eurowings services are expected to follow. At peak operations, the group plans to offer up to 36 flights a week to Dubai.
- Wizz Air: Several Abu Dhabi routes originally scheduled to launch in late October have been postponed until January 10, 2027. The airline cited EASA’s latest security assessment, the continued closure of Iraqi airspace, longer flight routings and technical refuelling requirements. Services to Jordan have also been suspended until October 25 following the latest EASA conflict-zone bulletin.
- Singapore Airlines: SQ494 from Singapore to Dubai and SQ495 from Dubai to Singapore remain cancelled until December 1. Other services may also be affected.
- British Airways: Flights to Dubai are scheduled to resume on November 3, while Abu Dhabi services remain suspended until the 2027-28 winter season.
- Air France: Services to Dubai and Riyadh remain suspended through October 24.
- Cathay Pacific: Passenger flights to Dubai and Riyadh have been cancelled through January 31, 2027. Affected passengers are being offered options including rebooking, rerouting or refunds.
- Lufthansa, 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 specific restart date announced.
Traveller checklist
With airline schedules still subject to change, passengers should take a few precautions before heading to the airport:
- Check your individual flight status before leaving home, even if your booking has already been confirmed.
- Arrive at least three hours before departure, or earlier if advised by your airline.
- Passengers travelling with flydubai from Dubai should allow at least four hours before departure.
- Complete online check-in in advance where available.
- Allow additional time for road traffic, check-in, security and immigration.
- Make sure your phone number and email address are up to date with the airline to receive disruption alerts.
- Be prepared for last-minute delays, cancellations or schedule changes.
- Monitor your airline and airport’s official channels for the latest travel information.
