UAE airports report mixed operations as airlines resume some routes while others remain suspended.
Dubai: UAE travellers are facing mixed flight operations on Thursday, with delays reported at Dubai International Airport and cancellations affecting some services from Dubai and Sharjah.
The disruptions come as the ongoing US-Iran conflict continues to affect regional airspace and add pressure to fuel costs. US President Donald Trump, however, said the conflict could be “hopefully toward the end” and stated that Washington had been in direct contact with Tehran regarding a potential agreement.
War status
US Vice President JD Vance has warned that the expanding conflict involving Iran could deepen pressure on global energy markets as disruptions affect the Strait of Hormuz and Bab Al Mandab.
The conflict has also intensified across the region, with Iranian strikes reported to have damaged US military facilities and Houthi advances escalating fighting in Yemen. Saudi Arabia has increased its airstrikes, while Washington is providing intelligence support. The United Nations, meanwhile, has called for de-escalation.
At the same time, Trump said the US could be approaching the end of the war and stated that Washington had been in direct contact with Tehran. The remarks have raised the prospect of a potential diplomatic path to ending the conflict, although no ceasefire or formal agreement has been announced.
Brent crude was trading at around $105 a barrel on Thursday morning. Meanwhile, IATA’s jet fuel price monitor showed that the global average jet fuel price increased 6.1 per cent last week to $181.46 a barrel.
Dubai International Airport
Dubai International Airport has reported some disruptions to flight operations.
- Cancellations: Emirates EK636 from Dubai to Peshawar; Jazeera Airways J9122 and J9124 from Dubai to Kuwait; and Syrian Air RB518 from Dubai to Damascus.
- Delays: Emirates EK797 from Dubai to Conakry and Nepal Airlines RA230 from Dubai to Kathmandu.
Zayed International Airport, Abu Dhabi
No major delays or cancellations were listed on the Zayed International Airport website on Thursday morning.
Travellers are still advised to check the latest status of their individual flight directly with their airline before travelling to the airport.
Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways services between Abu Dhabi and Bahrain and Kuwait were largely operating as scheduled, with no major cancellations reported in the latest update.
Flights EY647 and EY641 between Abu Dhabi and Bahrain had arrived or departed, while EY645 remained scheduled. Etihad flight EY653 from Abu Dhabi to Kuwait had also departed.
Emirates
Emirates flight EK837 from Dubai to Bahrain had arrived, while EK839 remained scheduled. Flight EK857 from Dubai to Kuwait was also listed as scheduled.
Passengers are advised to check the latest flight status through Emirates’ official channels before heading to the airport.
flydubai
flydubai’s Bahrain services included FZ029 and FZ023, which had arrived, while flights FZ021, FZ027 and FZ063 remained scheduled. Meanwhile, FZ817 from Dubai to Yanbu and FZ815 from Dubai to Abha were cancelled.
The airline advises passengers departing from Dubai to arrive at least four hours before their scheduled departure, complete online check-in where available and confirm the latest status of their flight before travelling to the airport.
Air Arabia
Air Arabia reported several cancellations across its regional network. Flights G9068 and G9124 from Sharjah to Kuwait were cancelled, while G9121 had yet to depart.
On the Sharjah-Bahrain route, G9107 was cancelled, while G9103 and G9105 remained scheduled. Air Arabia Abu Dhabi flight 3L020 from Abu Dhabi to Kuwait was also cancelled.
Check your flight before leaving
As flight schedules may change throughout the day, passengers are advised to confirm their flight number and latest status directly with the operating airline before heading to Dubai International Airport, Zayed International Airport or Sharjah International Airport.
Additional delays, cancellations or changes to departure and arrival times could be announced at short notice.
Travel advice is changing
UK: The FCDO has lifted its broader advice against all but essential travel to the UAE. However, it continues to caution that regional tensions remain unpredictable and that travellers should be prepared for potential flight cancellations and airspace disruptions.
US: The UAE remains under a Level 3 — Reconsider Travel advisory, with US authorities citing risks related to terrorism, armed conflict and significant disruption to commercial flights. Saudi Arabia is also listed at Level 3.
Australia: Smartraveller continues to advise Australians to reconsider their need to travel to the UAE because of the unpredictable regional security situation and the possibility of airspace closures and flight cancellations.
Canada: Canadian travel guidance advises travellers to exercise a high degree of caution in the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar. Travellers are also advised to keep their documents up to date and maintain essential supplies in case they are required to shelter in place.
Which airlines are flying?
Several international airlines are operating or gradually restoring services to the UAE, while a number of carriers continue to keep routes suspended.
Operating or restoring services:
- Turkish Airlines: Flights to Dubai and Abu Dhabi have resumed, while services to Iran remain suspended.
- Qatar Airways: Multiple daily flights to Dubai are operating, while services to Bahrain, Kuwait and Erbil have resumed. Some delays remain possible.
- Air India and Air India Express: Full GCC networks have been restored, with around 780 weekly flights connecting India and the region.
- IndiGo: Selected Middle East routes continue to operate.
- flynas: Daily flights to Dubai, Doha and Bahrain are operating.
- Jazeera Airways: Selected Dubai services are operating.
UAE routes still suspended
Several international carriers continue to suspend UAE services, with different timelines for their planned return:
- Air Canada: Dubai flights suspended until mid-January 2027.
- Air France: Dubai services suspended through September 19.
- British Airways: Dubai and Abu Dhabi services remain suspended, with Dubai flights expected to resume on October 25 at a reduced frequency.
- Cathay Pacific: Dubai and Riyadh flights suspended through November 30.
- Singapore Airlines: Dubai services suspended until October 24.
- ITA Airways: Dubai flights suspended until October 24.
- Finnair: Helsinki-Dubai services suspended until October 24.
- Philippine Airlines: Manila-Dubai flights suspended until October 2.
- airBaltic: Dubai services suspended until October 24.
- Korean Air: Incheon-Dubai flights suspended until further notice.
- Pegasus Airlines: Services to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah remain suspended.
- Virgin Atlantic: London-Dubai services suspended for the foreseeable future.
- Lufthansa, Eurowings and SWISS: Dubai services remain suspended through October 24, while Eurowings plans to restart Dubai flights from November 1.
Before you fly
Passengers should confirm their individual flight status before leaving home, even if their booking was previously confirmed, and monitor their airline’s official channels for last-minute updates.
Travellers should generally arrive at the airport at least three hours before departure, or earlier if advised by their airline. flydubai passengers departing from Dubai are advised to allow at least four hours.
Completing online check-in where available and ensuring contact details are updated with the airline can also help passengers receive the latest notifications. Further delays, cancellations and schedule changes remain possible while regional conditions continue to evolve.
