Air France Extends Dubai Flight Suspension Until October 24 as UAE Airports Face Fresh Delays.
Dubai: UAE travellers are facing another morning of flight disruptions, with delays affecting departures from Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport as the regional security situation remains fluid.
Several Emirates, flydubai, Air India, Ethiopian Airlines and SpiceJet flights departing Dubai were delayed on Wednesday morning, while a Jazeera Airways service from Abu Dhabi to Kuwait was cancelled.
Air France, meanwhile, has extended the suspension of its Dubai flights from October 13 until October 24. Cathay Pacific has also cancelled passenger services to Dubai and Riyadh through January 31, 2027.
UAE airlines continue to operate much of their regional networks, although some services remain affected. Air Arabia has reported several cancellations to Kuwait and Bahrain, while flydubai has cancelled its Dubai-Abha service.
The latest disruptions come as diplomatic efforts continue to seek an end to the US-Iran conflict. US President Donald Trump said Washington would win the war “very soon” following contacts between US officials and mediators. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, meanwhile, has urged Americans to protest against Trump’s policies and accused Washington of failing in its military campaign.
Jet fuel prices have also eased. The global average jet fuel price fell 4.9 per cent week-on-week to $185.43 a barrel last week, according to IATA, as crude prices retreated from recent highs amid easing supply concerns and the restoration of key Middle East export infrastructure.
For UAE passengers, the advice remains unchanged: check the latest status of your individual flight directly with your airline before travelling to the airport, even if your booking has already been confirmed.
Iran-US tensions
Diplomatic efforts are continuing through mediators, although Washington and Tehran remain divided over key issues, including Iran’s nuclear programme and arrangements concerning the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump said on September 28 that the US would win the war “very soon” and that the conflict would end quickly. US officials have been communicating through mediators, while Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran was awaiting Washington’s response to proposals discussed through Qatari intermediaries.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has also issued an open letter urging Americans to oppose Trump’s policies and alleging that the US military campaign has failed.
Meanwhile, oil prices fell about 2.5 per cent on Tuesday as markets focused on signs of recovering Middle East crude exports. Increased flows through Saudi Arabia’s East-West Pipeline and the resumption of tanker loadings from Yanbu have helped ease some concerns over global oil supplies.
Dubai, Abu Dhabi airports: delays and cancellations
Several flights departing from Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport faced delays or cancellations on Wednesday morning.
Airlines are advising passengers to confirm their departure times before heading to the airport, as schedules remain subject to change amid the evolving regional situation.
Dubai International Airport
Several morning departures from DXB were affected, including services operated by Emirates, flydubai, Air India, Ethiopian Airlines and SpiceJet.
Among the affected flights were:
- Emirates EK778 to Cape Town — departure time revised
- Emirates EK719 to Nairobi — departure time revised
- SpiceJet SG5158 to Jaipur — delayed
- SpiceJet SG5023 to Mumbai — delayed
- SpiceJet SG5016 to New Delhi — delayed
- SpiceJet SG5153 to Kozhikode — delayed
Passengers should check directly with their airline for the latest departure information, as flight timings may change at short notice.
Zayed International Airport
At Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport, Jazeera Airways flight J9136 to Kuwait was cancelled.
Travellers departing from Abu Dhabi are also advised to verify their flight status before travelling to the airport.
What UAE airlines are doing
Emirates
Emirates continues to operate flights to Bahrain and Kuwait as usual, although some early-morning services experienced minor delays.
Passengers should check the airline’s official channels for the latest flight information before heading to the airport.
Etihad Airways
No major delays or cancellations were reported across Etihad Airways’ network in the latest update, with flights to Bahrain and Kuwait operating as scheduled.
However, Etihad flight EY889 from Beijing Daxing to Abu Dhabi on September 29 experienced an extended technical delay. The disruption resulted in the operating crew exceeding its maximum permitted duty hours, further delaying the service.
Etihad passengers are advised to check the latest status of their flight before travelling.
flydubai
flydubai continues to operate most of its network, although one service was cancelled in the latest update.
- FZ815 from Dubai to Abha — cancelled
- No other major delays were reported in the latest 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 confirm their flight status before heading to the airport.
Air Arabia
Air Arabia has reported several cancellations affecting services to Kuwait and Bahrain.
- G9068 — Sharjah to Kuwait — cancelled
- G9124 — Sharjah to Kuwait — cancelled
- G9121 — operational but had not departed at the time of the update
- G9107 — Sharjah to Bahrain — cancelled
- G9101 — Sharjah to Bahrain — arrived late
- G9103 — Sharjah to Bahrain — scheduled
- G9105 — Sharjah to Bahrain — scheduled
- 3L020 — Abu Dhabi to Kuwait — cancelled
Iranian airlines are also facing broader regional restrictions following US sanctions targeting companies that deal with Iranian carriers. The UAE has suspended flights operated by Iranian airlines to and from the country until further notice.
What international travel advisories are saying
Some countries have eased their travel advice for the UAE, although governments continue to caution travellers about possible flight and airspace disruptions as the regional security situation remains unpredictable.
UK: The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has removed its broad advice against all but essential travel to the UAE. However, it continues to warn travellers about the possibility of flight cancellations and airspace disruption.
US: The UAE remains under a Level 3 – Reconsider Travel advisory, with US authorities citing terrorism, armed conflict and disruption to commercial flights.
Australia: Travellers are advised to reconsider their need to visit the UAE because of the unpredictable regional security situation and the possibility of airspace closures.
Canada: Canadian authorities advise travellers to exercise a high degree of caution in the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar.
Saudi Arabia: Saudi airspace remains open but continues to be affected by the regional situation. Airports in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam have advised passengers travelling to affected destinations to confirm their flight status directly with their airline before heading to the airport.
International airlines: Who is returning to the UAE?
Several international airlines have announced plans to resume or expand UAE services over the coming months, although schedules remain subject to change as carriers continue to assess regional conditions.
- Air Astana: Almaty and Astana services to Dubai from October 1–2.
- Philippine Airlines: Nonstop Manila-Dubai services from October 2.
- Wizz Air: Dubai services from October 24–25, with Abu Dhabi flights expected around late October.
- Singapore Airlines: SQ494/SQ495 Dubai services scheduled to resume on October 24.
- Lufthansa: Dubai-Frankfurt and Dubai-Munich services from October 25.
- SWISS: Dubai-Zurich services from October 27.
- Eurowings: Dubai services from Berlin and Stuttgart from November 1, followed by Cologne/Bonn from November 3.
- British Airways: Dubai flights from November 3. Abu Dhabi services remain suspended until the 2027–28 winter season.
- Austrian Airlines: Dubai-Vienna services from December 12.
- Air France: Dubai and Riyadh services remain suspended through October 24 due to the evolving security situation. Flights to and from Beirut and Tel Aviv are operating normally.
- Cathay Pacific: Passenger flights to Dubai and Riyadh have been cancelled through January 31, 2027.
Passengers should continue checking directly with their airline, as planned restart dates may change depending on operational and security conditions.
Air Canada extends Dubai cancellations
Air Canada has extended the suspension of its Dubai services, with flights to and from Dubai International Airport remaining cancelled until the end of March 2027 because of the situation in the Middle East.
The extended suspension comes as several other international carriers prepare for phased returns to the UAE, highlighting the different operational and security assessments being made by individual airlines.
What UAE travellers should keep in mind
With schedules continuing to change, passengers should not assume that a confirmed booking means their flight will operate exactly as planned.
- Check your flight status before leaving home, even if your booking has already been confirmed.
- Allow at least three hours before departure, or longer if your airline recommends it.
- flydubai passengers departing Dubai should allow at least four hours, in line with the airline’s guidance.
- Complete online check-in in advance where available.
- Allow additional time for road traffic, airport check-in, security and immigration.
- Make sure your phone number and email address are updated with your airline so you can receive disruption alerts.
- Be prepared for last-minute delays, cancellations or schedule changes.
- Check your airline’s official website or app and the relevant airport channels immediately before travelling.
The key message for UAE travellers is to keep checking their individual flight rather than relying solely on the airport’s overall operating status. Airports may remain open and most flights may operate while individual services are delayed, rerouted or cancelled at short notice.
