Riyadh Airport Closure Triggers Further UAE Flight Cancellations as Delays Affect Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Dubai: Air passengers across the UAE are experiencing another day of travel disruptions, with several flight delays reported at Dubai International Airport and Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi.
Meanwhile, airlines have cancelled numerous flights to Saudi Arabia following the extension of the closure of King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.
Major UAE carriers, including Emirates, Etihad Airways, flydubai and Air Arabia, have announced cancellations affecting Saudi Arabian destinations on October 13, with some disruptions extending into October 14 and subsequent days.
Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport is expected to remain closed until October 17 following a series of attacks that have significantly affected aviation operations across Saudi Arabia.
Passengers are strongly encouraged to verify their flight status directly through their airline’s official website or customer service channels before travelling to the airport.
Regional Conflict Adds Pressure to Aviation and Trade
The ongoing confrontation between the United States and Iran continues to create uncertainty across the Middle East, with the Strait of Hormuz remaining a major security concern.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency reported that a crude oil tanker was struck by an unidentified projectile while exiting the strategic waterway on Sunday.
At the same time, Ahmad Vahidi, head of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), cautioned foreign powers against intervening in the Strait of Hormuz.
The prolonged regional instability is also affecting economic expectations.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revised its 2026 economic outlook for the Middle East and Central Asia, forecasting a contraction of 0.3 per cent.
In a separate diplomatic development, Iran rejected British allegations linking Tehran to an alleged plot targeting RAF Fairford, a military airbase in the United Kingdom.
Meanwhile, Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement has claimed responsibility for a ballistic missile attack targeting Riyadh’s international airport, further heightening regional security concerns.
Saudi Airport Operations Disrupted Following Houthi Attacks
Yemen’s Houthi movement claimed that a ballistic missile launched towards King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh successfully struck its intended target.
The group described the incident as a direct hit and issued warnings to international airlines, airport employees and passengers against using Saudi airports, with the exception of facilities serving Makkah and Madinah.
However, Saudi authorities have not verified the Houthi claim that the airport sustained a direct missile strike.
Saudi Arabia had previously announced that its defence systems successfully intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched towards Riyadh.
The Houthis also claimed to have carried out a drone attack against Khamis Mushait Air Base, although Saudi authorities had not immediately confirmed the reported incident.
King Khalid International Airport has remained closed since an attack on Saturday that reportedly killed 13 people and left more than 300 injured.
A further attack on Sunday reportedly resulted in one death and injuries to nearly a dozen others.
The continuing security situation has forced airlines to adjust schedules, suspend selected services and cancel flights, creating additional uncertainty for passengers travelling between the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
A Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued on Monday confirmed that Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport would remain closed until 2100 GMT on October 17.
Saudi Arabia’s civil aviation authority explained that the extended closure would provide sufficient time to complete the necessary safety inspections and operational procedures, ensuring that airport infrastructure and facilities are ready to resume services safely.
IATA Condemns Attacks on Riyadh Airport
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has strongly criticised the attacks on King Khalid International Airport, emphasising that civilian aviation must remain protected from military violence.
Kamil Alawadhi, IATA’s Regional Vice-President for Africa and the Middle East, expressed condolences to the families of those killed and sympathy for everyone affected by the October 10 attacks in Riyadh.
He condemned the continuing violence and stressed that passengers, airport facilities, aircraft and aviation employees must never be deliberately targeted.
Alawadhi also highlighted that safeguarding civilian aviation is a fundamental responsibility under international law and that all parties involved in the conflict must respect these protections.
The association’s statement comes amid widespread disruption to regional air travel, with airlines cancelling flights and adjusting operations in response to security concerns.
For further information, travellers can check the latest UAE-Saudi flight cancellations and schedule changes.
UAE Airlines Announce Saudi Arabia Flight Cancellations
Several UAE-based airlines have suspended or cancelled services to Saudi Arabian destinations following the continued closure of Riyadh’s international airport and heightened regional security concerns.
Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways has suspended all flights operating between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh until October 19.
The airline has also announced cancellations affecting selected services to Dammam and Jeddah.
Dammam: Flights EY575, EY576, EY573 and EY574 were cancelled on October 12. All flights between Abu Dhabi and Dammam scheduled for October 13 and 14 have also been cancelled.
Jeddah: Flights EY601, EY602, EY603 and EY604 were cancelled from October 12 through October 14. Additionally, flights EY603 and EY604 will remain cancelled on October 15.
Etihad has cautioned passengers that the situation continues to evolve and further changes to its flight schedule may be announced.
Emirates
Emirates has confirmed cancellations on several routes connecting Dubai with Saudi Arabian cities.
The affected services include:
- Dammam: Flights EK823, EK827 and EK821 on October 13 and 14.
- Jeddah: Flights EK801, EK805 and EK803 on October 13, with EK801 also cancelled on October 14.
- Madinah: Flight EK807 on October 13.
- Riyadh: Flights EK815, EK819 and EK817 on October 13 and 14.
Passengers booked on these services are advised to check directly with Emirates for the latest travel arrangements and available alternatives.
flydubai
Dubai-based carrier flydubai has also announced cancellations affecting multiple destinations across Saudi Arabia.
The affected flights include:
- Abha: FZ811 on October 13 and 14.
- AlUla: FZ905 on October 13.
- Dammam: FZ883, FZ869, FZ863 and FZ867.
- Ha’il: FZ821 on October 13.
- NEOM: FZ931 on October 13 and 14.
- Riyadh: FZ847, FZ841 and FZ855 on October 13 and 14.
Travellers are encouraged to review their booking details and monitor flydubai’s official flight status updates before departure.
Air Arabia
Air Arabia is also among the UAE carriers reporting disruptions to Saudi Arabian routes amid the ongoing regional aviation challenges.
Passengers travelling with the airline should consult its official flight status information for confirmation of any cancellations, delays or changes affecting their scheduled services.
Air Arabia Announces Additional Saudi Flight Cancellations
Air Arabia has confirmed disruptions to several flights departing from Sharjah to destinations across Saudi Arabia, including Abha, Dammam, Jizan, Gassim, Riyadh and Taif.
The affected services include:
- Sharjah–Abha: Flight G9195 on October 13 and 14.
- Sharjah–Dammam: Flight G9160 on October 13 and 14.
- Sharjah–Jizan: Flight G9398 on October 13.
- Sharjah–Gassim: Flight G9070 on October 12.
- Sharjah–Riyadh: Flights G9151 and G9154 on October 13 and 14.
- Sharjah–Taif: Flight G9187 on October 13 and 14.
Passengers scheduled to travel on these routes are encouraged to verify their flight status with Air Arabia before heading to the airport.
Flight Disruptions Extend Beyond Saudi Arabia
The ongoing aviation challenges are also affecting services connecting the UAE with other destinations in the Middle East.
The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has suspended all flights operated by Iranian airlines following US sanctions targeting Iran’s civilian aviation fleet.
The restriction will remain effective until further notice.
Meanwhile, flydubai has suspended flights to Israel following a security incident involving flight FZ1073 on September 30.
Travellers with bookings to or from Tel Aviv have been advised to obtain the latest operational information directly from their airline.
Air Arabia has also reported disruptions involving flights to Kuwait and Bahrain.
The affected services include:
- Sharjah–Kuwait: Flights G9068 and G9124.
- Sharjah–Bahrain: Flight G9107.
- Abu Dhabi–Kuwait: Flight 3L020.
Flight G9121 to Kuwait was listed as operational but had not departed at the time of the update, while flight G9101 to Bahrain arrived behind schedule.
International Travel Advisories for UAE and Gulf Countries
Several governments have updated their travel guidance in response to the changing regional security situation, warning passengers about potential airspace restrictions, flight cancellations and other disruptions.
United Kingdom
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has withdrawn its general advisory against all but essential travel to the UAE.
However, British travellers are still being cautioned about possible flight cancellations and interruptions to regional airspace operations.
For Saudi Arabia, the FCDO continues to advise against all but essential travel involving airports across the country, except Medina International Airport.
United States
The US government continues to classify the UAE under its Level 3 travel advisory, recommending that American citizens reconsider travel.
The advisory identifies terrorism, armed conflict and disruptions to commercial aviation as major concerns.
US diplomatic missions in Saudi Arabia have also urged American nationals to remain alert to the possibility of missile and drone attacks.
Australia
Australian authorities have advised citizens to reconsider whether travel to the UAE is necessary, citing unpredictable regional security developments and the risk of further airspace closures.
Canada
Canada has recommended that its citizens exercise a high degree of caution when travelling to the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar because of ongoing regional tensions.
European Union Aviation Safety Agency
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has extended its conflict-zone information bulletin until November 16, 2026.
The agency has warned aviation operators to avoid airspace over the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia because of security risks associated with the regional conflict.
International Airlines Adjust UAE Flight Operations
While some international airlines are gradually restoring services to the UAE, others have extended flight suspensions or postponed planned operations.
Air Astana
Kazakhstan’s Air Astana resumed flights connecting Almaty and Astana with Dubai on October 1 and 2, respectively.
Philippine Airlines
Philippine Airlines has restarted its Dubai–Manila services, with reservations available from October 5.
Lufthansa Group
The Lufthansa Group is preparing to progressively restore Dubai operations from late October, with its combined schedule expected to reach as many as 36 weekly flights during peak operations.
The planned services include:
- Lufthansa: Munich–Dubai flights five times weekly beginning October 25.
- Lufthansa: Frankfurt–Dubai services four times weekly from October 26, increasing to five weekly flights from November 9.
- SWISS: Daily Zurich–Dubai flights starting October 27.
- Austrian Airlines: Vienna–Dubai services five times weekly from December 12.
- Eurowings: Daily Berlin–Dubai flights from November 1.
- Eurowings: Stuttgart–Dubai services four times weekly from November 1.
- Eurowings: Cologne/Bonn–Dubai flights three times weekly beginning November 3.
However, Lufthansa Group airlines continue to face restrictions on services to Abu Dhabi.
Flights operated by Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines and Edelweiss to Abu Dhabi remain suspended through October 24.
Eurowings has also extended its Abu Dhabi flight suspension through the same date.
Wizz Air
Wizz Air has postponed the launch of selected Abu Dhabi routes that were originally scheduled to begin in late October.
The affected launches have been pushed back to January 10, 2027.
The airline’s decision follows updated EASA security guidance, extended flight paths caused by the closure of Iraqi airspace and the need for additional technical refuelling stops.
Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines has cancelled flights SQ494 and SQ495 between Singapore and Dubai until December 1.
The carrier has indicated that additional services could also be affected depending on operational and security developments.
British Airways
British Airways is planning to resume Dubai services on November 3.
However, flights to Abu Dhabi are expected to remain suspended until the winter 2027–28 operating season.
Air France
Air France has extended the suspension of its Dubai and Riyadh services through October 24.
Cathay Pacific
Cathay Pacific has cancelled passenger flights to Dubai and Riyadh through January 31, 2027.
The extended suspension reflects the continued uncertainty affecting aviation operations across the region.
Flight Delays Reported at Dubai and Abu Dhabi Airports
Several departures from Dubai International Airport and Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi experienced delays during the morning of October 13.
Dubai Airports reported disruptions involving services operated by Emirates, flydubai and Air India.
Meanwhile, Saudia flights SV593 and SV563, scheduled to operate from Dubai to Riyadh, were listed as cancelled.
Despite these disruptions, flights across the UAE have not been suspended entirely.
Many services continue to operate, although schedules may be adjusted at short notice depending on security conditions and airline operational requirements.
Passengers should therefore confirm the status of their specific flight rather than assuming that all services to a particular destination have been cancelled.
Essential Travel Checklist for UAE Passengers
Travellers flying from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah or other UAE airports should take additional precautions to minimise inconvenience during the current period of disruption.
- Verify flight status before departure: Check your airline’s official website or mobile application immediately before leaving for the airport, even if your booking has already been confirmed.
- Reach the airport early: Plan to arrive at least three hours before your scheduled departure unless your airline recommends a different reporting time.
- Allow extra time for flydubai flights: Passengers departing from Dubai on flydubai should arrive four hours before departure, in accordance with the airline’s guidance.
- Use online check-in: Complete check-in through your airline’s website or application whenever the option is available.
- Plan for possible airport congestion: Allow additional travel time for road traffic, baggage procedures, security screening and immigration checks.
- Update your contact information: Ensure your airline has your current mobile number and email address so you can receive notifications about delays, cancellations or schedule changes.
- Prepare for unexpected changes: Keep travel plans flexible and be ready for last-minute adjustments to departure times, routes or connecting flights.
- Follow verified information sources: Rely on official airline websites, airport announcements and government advisories rather than outdated booking details or unconfirmed social media reports.
With the regional security situation continuing to evolve, passengers are advised to monitor official travel updates closely and confirm their arrangements before heading to the airport.
