Weekend flight cancellations extend into Monday as UAE airlines face further delays and route changes.
Dubai: UAE travellers are beginning the week with continued flight disruptions following a weekend of cancellations across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, with several delays reported again on Monday morning.
Emirates and Etihad are operating most of their scheduled services, although some flights are experiencing delays. Meanwhile, flydubai and Air Arabia have cancelled selected services on certain regional routes.
Travellers are being urged to check their flight status before heading to the airport, as schedules remain subject to change amid renewed tensions in the region. Airlines have been gradually restoring services to and from the UAE, although some routes are expected to remain suspended into October and beyond.
The latest disruption comes as Iran says it remains open to diplomacy while also signalling its readiness for renewed conflict. US President Donald Trump, meanwhile, has said he expects further talks with Tehran this week.
Washington has rejected an Iranian seven-day proposal linked to reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Rising jet fuel costs are also adding pressure on airlines and travellers. According to IATA, the global average jet fuel price climbed 7.4 per cent week-on-week to $194.90 per barrel.
Iran-US tensions
Iran has said it is prepared for renewed conflict while remaining open to diplomatic talks, as US President Donald Trump said he expects further discussions with Tehran this week.
Washington has rejected a seven-day Iranian proposal tied to reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran presented the plan at the UN General Assembly last week, calling for a temporary halt in hostilities alongside the reopening of the crucial shipping route.
The continued uncertainty is also weighing on energy markets. Middle East crude exports climbed to 12.8 million barrels per day in September, according to maritime intelligence firm Kpler. Oil prices and bond yields also moved higher on Monday following Trump’s rejection of Iran’s proposal.
Jet fuel costs are rising as well, adding further pressure on airline operating expenses. The latest IATA data shows that the global average jet fuel price increased 7.4 per cent last week to $194.90 per barrel.
Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports
Dubai International Airport (DXB) recorded minor disruptions on Monday morning, with several departures delayed and at least one service cancelled.
- flydubai FZ815 — Dubai to Abha: Cancelled
- Emirates EK161 — Dubai to Dublin: Delayed
- flynas XY216 — Dubai to Riyadh: Delayed
- SpiceJet SG9023 — Dubai to Mumbai: Delayed
- SpiceJet SG5106 — Dubai to New Delhi: Delayed
- SpiceJet SG5023 — Dubai to Mumbai: Delayed
The disruption follows a weekend of cancellations and delays at DXB. On Sunday, services operated by flydubai, Emirates and Air India Express were among those cancelled, while several other flights departed behind schedule.
Zayed International Airport
Passengers travelling from Abu Dhabi also faced some disruption on Monday morning, with several departures from Zayed International Airport experiencing delays.
What UAE and regional airlines are doing
Emirates
- Services to Bahrain and Kuwait are operating normally.
- Some early morning flights experienced delays.
- Passengers are advised to check the latest Emirates flight updates before heading to the airport.
Etihad Airways
- Flights to Bahrain are operating as scheduled.
- EY653 to Kuwait departed behind schedule.
- EY551 to Riyadh was also delayed.
- Other services were expected to operate normally.
flydubai
- FZ815 to Abha has been cancelled.
- Passengers departing from Dubai are advised to arrive at least four hours before their scheduled departure.
- Travellers should complete online check-in where available and confirm their flight status before leaving for the airport.
Air Arabia
- G9068 and G9124 — Sharjah to Kuwait: Cancelled
- G9121 — Sharjah to Kuwait: Operating, but yet to depart
- G9107 — Sharjah to Bahrain: Cancelled
- G9101 — Sharjah to Bahrain: Arrived
- G9103 and G9105 — Sharjah to Bahrain: Scheduled
- 3L020 — Abu Dhabi to Kuwait: Cancelled
Iranian carriers are also facing broader regional restrictions following US sanctions targeting companies that conduct business with Iranian airlines. The UAE has suspended flights operated by Iranian carriers to and from the country until further notice.
What international travel advisories are saying
UK: The UK has eased its broader warning against all but essential travel to the UAE. However, travellers are still being cautioned about possible flight cancellations and disruptions linked to the regional security situation.
US: The UAE remains under a Level 3 — Reconsider Travel advisory. The US Mission to the UAE has warned travellers about the possibility of flight cancellations, airspace closures and rapidly changing security conditions across the region.
Australia: Australian authorities continue to advise travellers to reconsider their need to visit the UAE due to the unpredictable regional security environment and the potential for travel disruption.
Canada: Canadian authorities advise travellers to exercise a high degree of caution when visiting the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar.
Travel guidance varies between governments and can change at short notice. Passengers should therefore check the latest advisory issued by their own government before travelling.
International airlines: What is changing
Services suspended or extended
- Air France: Dubai services suspended through October 13.
- Singapore Airlines: Dubai services suspended through October 24.
- KLM: Dubai services suspended through October 24.
- ITA Airways: Dubai services suspended through October 24.
- SWISS: Dubai services suspended through October 24.
- Air Canada: Dubai flights cancelled until mid-January 2027.
- Turkish Airlines: Services to Dubai and Abu Dhabi have resumed, while flights to Tehran remain suspended.
Scheduled resumptions
- Philippine Airlines: Dubai services are scheduled to resume on October 2.
- Wizz Air: Dubai services are expected to resume from October 25, followed by Abu Dhabi services from October 27.
- Lufthansa: Dubai-Frankfurt and Dubai-Munich services are scheduled to restart on October 25.
- SWISS: Dubai-Zurich services are expected to resume on October 27.
- Eurowings: Dubai services are scheduled to restart on November 1.
- British Airways: Dubai services are scheduled to resume on November 4.
While some international airlines are gradually restoring UAE operations, others have extended their suspensions, highlighting the uneven pace of recovery in regional air travel.
All planned resumption dates remain subject to operational requirements and developments in the regional security situation.
What UAE travellers should keep in mind
Passengers travelling through UAE airports should continue to plan for possible disruption and check their flight status as close to departure as possible.
Travellers should confirm their flight before leaving home, even if their booking has already been confirmed, and generally allow at least three hours before departure or more if advised by their airline. flydubai passengers departing from Dubai should allow at least four hours, in line with the carrier’s guidance.
Online check-in should be completed where available, while additional time should be factored in for road traffic, airport check-in, security and immigration procedures.
Passengers should also ensure their contact details are up to date with their airline so they can receive notifications about delays, cancellations or schedule changes.
Airline websites and apps, along with official airport channels, should be checked immediately before travelling for the latest information.
For Monday travellers, the key takeaway is that UAE airports remain operational, but flight schedules remain fluid, with delays, cancellations and last-minute changes still possible.
With weekend disruptions continuing into Monday morning, passengers are advised to check their individual flight status before heading to the airport, as schedules remain subject to last-minute changes.
