Etihad Extends Flight Cancellations to Riyadh and Dammam as Qatar Airways Resumes Riyadh Services.
Dubai: Air travel across the UAE is facing another day of disruption, with flights to Saudi Arabia among the most affected as airlines continue to revise schedules amid heightened regional security concerns.
Flights between the UAE and Iran remain suspended for Iranian carriers, while services to Israel continue to operate under varying restrictions.
Several flights operated by Emirates, Etihad Airways, flydubai and Air Arabia to Saudi Arabia have also been cancelled. Meanwhile, international airlines are extending flight suspensions and postponing the resumption of services to destinations including Dubai and Riyadh.
For passengers travelling on Friday, November 13, the situation remains mixed. While some routes continue to operate, others are running on reduced schedules, with several international carriers extending their suspensions into late November 2026 and beyond.
Passengers are advised to check directly with their airlines before heading to the airport, as confirmed bookings do not necessarily guarantee that flights will operate as scheduled.
Regional conflict: Latest developments and security concerns
Tensions across the region remain elevated, with fresh military developments, security threats and diplomatic efforts continuing to shape the aviation outlook.
US President Donald Trump has warned Iran against targeting senior American officials, while Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has reportedly been relocated to a military base amid security concerns.
Separately, the United Nations has extended sanctions targeting Yemen’s Houthi movement, while reports have emerged of a strike in Iran’s Hormozgan province.
Saudi Arabia has intercepted additional drones amid escalating Houthi attacks. On Thursday, the Houthis claimed responsibility for targeting the kingdom’s East-West oil pipeline and an oil facility in the Red Sea port city of Yanbu.
According to the group’s spokesman, a drone targeted Pumping Station No. 7 along the pipeline, while a ballistic missile was directed at the Yanbu oil facility. The Houthis also claimed to have targeted a Saudi airport and an airbase near the Yemeni border. These claims have not been independently verified.
In a separate development on Friday, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they had struck and destroyed a US early-warning radar system in Bahrain. Neither Bahrain nor the United States had immediately confirmed the reported attack.
Diplomatic efforts are also reportedly being explored, with US Vice-President JD Vance said to be considering direct talks with Iranian official Mohsen Rezaei.
The latest developments have kept regional security concerns in focus, with airlines and aviation authorities continuing to monitor airspace conditions and potential risks to airport operations.
Flight cancellations, delays and disruption across the region
UAE-Iran flights remain suspended
The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority has suspended flights operated by Iranian airlines to and from the country until further notice.
The restrictions affect direct services operated by carriers including Iran Airtour, Caspian Airlines and Karun Airlines.
Passengers with existing bookings on these airlines are advised to contact their respective carriers or travel agents for information on alternative arrangements, rebooking options and refunds.
UAE-Israel flights: Services remain restricted
Direct flights between the UAE and Israel continue to operate under security-related and operational restrictions, with airlines adopting different approaches to their services.
- flydubai: Dubai–Tel Aviv flights remain suspended until at least late November.
- Emirates: Services between Dubai and Tel Aviv, along with associated Emirates–flydubai codeshare arrangements, remain suspended.
- Etihad Airways: Continues to operate direct flights between Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv.
- El Al and Arkia: Israeli airlines continue to face delays or suspensions amid security concerns and discussions over landing permits.
Passengers are advised to confirm their flight status directly with their airlines before travelling to the airport.
UAE-Saudi flights: Riyadh and Dammam services face continued disruption
Saudi Arabia remains among the destinations most affected by flight disruptions for travellers departing from the UAE. Although some routes are gradually returning to service, cancellations involving Riyadh and Dammam continue to affect passengers.
Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways has extended the suspension of all passenger and cargo services between Abu Dhabi and the following Saudi cities:
- Dammam: Flights suspended until Thursday, November 19.
- Riyadh: Flights suspended until Thursday, November 19.
Selected Abu Dhabi–Jeddah services resumed on November 6, including flights EY601 and EY603 from Abu Dhabi to Jeddah, and EY602 and EY604 on the return route. Other Jeddah services are scheduled to operate as usual.
Emirates
Emirates continues to revise its Saudi Arabia flight schedule, with selected services between Dubai, Riyadh and Dammam affected by cancellations.
Passengers should check their individual flight numbers, as operating schedules differ across routes and departure times.
Selected services to Jeddah have resumed, while connections to Madinah are also operating.
flydubai
flydubai is gradually restoring services across its Saudi Arabia network, although some destinations continue to experience disruption.
The airline’s latest available flight-status information lists the following services as scheduled:
- Gassim: FZ871
- Ha’il: FZ8439
- Jeddah: FZ831, FZ909 and FZ829
- Madinah: FZ897, FZ8387 and FZ827
However, flight-status information was unavailable for several other destinations, including Riyadh, Dammam, Abha, Tabuk, Yanbu and Neom.
Passengers should check their specific flight details through flydubai’s official channels before departure.
Air Arabia
Air Arabia has cancelled selected flights between Sharjah and Saudi Arabia.
The affected services include:
- Sharjah–Abha: G9195
- Sharjah–Riyadh: G9151 and G9154
Flights to Dammam, Gassim, Ha’il, Jeddah and Madinah are continuing to operate, according to the available schedule information.
Confirmed flight-status details were not available for some other destinations, including Jizan, Tabuk, Taif and Al Jouf.
International airlines: Saudi Arabia flight suspensions extended
Several international airlines have announced further extensions to their Saudi Arabia flight suspensions amid continuing security concerns and airspace restrictions.
Here are the latest announced schedule changes:
- IndiGo: Flights to Jeddah and Madinah are suspended through November 21, while Riyadh and Dammam services remain suspended until November 30. Affected passengers are being notified and should check their bookings for rebooking options.
- Air India and Air India Express: Services to and from Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam remain suspended through November 14. Eligible passengers holding tickets issued on or before October 30 can opt for a one-time complimentary rescheduling for travel up to November 29, subject to availability, or request a full refund.
- Akasa Air: All flights to and from Riyadh and Jeddah remain suspended until November 30. Passengers can opt for a full refund or reschedule their bookings without additional charges.
- Qatar Airways: Daily flights to Riyadh are scheduled to resume on November 13, followed by daily services to Dammam on November 14. Flights to Abha and Taif remain temporarily suspended.
- Oman Air: Continues to operate with selected schedule changes and rerouting due to regional airspace and airport restrictions.
- Air France: Riyadh services remain suspended through December 12.
- British Airways: The resumption of its London–Riyadh route has been postponed until January 11, 2027.
- Cathay Pacific: Riyadh services remain suspended until January 31, 2027.
- Pakistan International Airlines: Riyadh flights remain temporarily suspended, with no confirmed resumption date.
- Delta Air Lines: The launch of its Atlanta–Riyadh route has been postponed until March 2027.
- Lufthansa: Riyadh flights remain suspended until November 18, while Dammam services are suspended until November 30. Eurowings is planning to resume flights to Jeddah.
- Philippine Airlines: Flights PR654 and PR655 to and from Riyadh remain suspended until November 29.
- Scoot: Singapore–Jeddah services remain cancelled until December 2.
- Gulf Air: Has resumed operations at Riyadh Airport.
- ITA Airways: Riyadh flights remain cancelled until November 18.
- KLM: Services to Riyadh and Dammam remain cancelled until November 27.
- Kuwait Airways: Riyadh services remain cancelled until airport operations resume.
- Singapore Airlines: The launch of its non-stop Singapore–Riyadh service has been postponed until March 28, 2027.
- SriLankan Airlines: Riyadh flights remain suspended.
Saudi airlines: Alternative airport arrangements for Riyadh passengers
Saudi carriers have introduced alternative airport arrangements to maintain connectivity for passengers travelling to and from Riyadh.
- flyadeal: Flights serving Riyadh have been temporarily relocated to Qassim Airport. Bus transfers are being arranged between Riyadh Bus Station and the alternative airport.
- Saudia: Riyadh services are also operating through Qassim Airport, with bus transfers provided between the city and the airport.
Passengers affected by these arrangements should confirm their designated departure airport, transfer arrangements and travel times directly with their respective airlines before setting off.
International travel advisories: What governments are telling travellers
Governments around the world continue to issue security warnings for parts of the Middle East, highlighting the risks of military escalation, potential attacks, airport security concerns and sudden airspace closures that could disrupt international travel.
United Kingdom – Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)
The UK advises against all but essential travel to the rest of Saudi Arabia and against all travel within 10km of the country’s border with Yemen.
The FCDO has warned of an increased threat to airports, military facilities, ports and energy infrastructure. Further attacks targeting airports, along with flight cancellations and travel disruption, are considered very likely.
British nationals have also been advised to consider travelling overland to neighbouring countries before taking onward flights.
For the UAE, the UK warns travellers to prepare for possible flight cancellations, airspace closures and wider travel disruption.
United States – State Department
The US State Department maintains a Level 3 travel advisory for the UAE, urging American citizens to reconsider travel because of terrorism and armed conflict risks.
The advisory also highlights the threat posed by Iranian-backed Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia, including strikes targeting civilian airports and critical infrastructure that have contributed to significant travel disruption.
Canada – Global Affairs Canada
Canada advises its citizens to exercise a high degree of caution when travelling to the UAE due to the volatile regional security situation.
Its advisory highlights the possibility of missile and drone attacks, including incidents that could affect public infrastructure and airports.
Canadians are urged to follow instructions from local authorities and be prepared to shelter in place if instructed to do so.
Australia – Smartraveller
Australia advises its citizens against travelling to Saudi Arabia, citing the deteriorating regional security situation.
The advisory specifically identifies King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, King Fahd International Airport in Dammam and Abha International Airport as locations to avoid following recent security incidents.
It also warns that air travel continues to face significant disruption due to intermittent airspace closures, flight cancellations and delays.
For the UAE, Australia’s travel advice remains at Level 3 – Reconsider your need to travel.
European Union – EASA
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) continues to maintain its conflict-zone bulletin CZIB-2026-07R3, covering airspace over the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Oman.
The advisory has been extended until November 16, 2026, with airlines and aircraft operators urged to take the identified security risks into account when planning flight routes through the affected airspace.
Dubai flight operations: Which international airlines are returning?
Despite continuing regional disruption, Dubai is seeing several international airlines restore services and prepare for the 2026 winter travel season.
The emirate is expected to receive up to 36 additional weekly flights connecting it with European destinations between late October and December.
Airlines scheduled to resume Dubai services
Several European carriers have announced plans to restart or expand their Dubai operations in the coming weeks.
- Lufthansa: Plans to resume five weekly flights each from Frankfurt and Munich from November 25.
- SWISS: Scheduled to restore daily flights between Zurich and Dubai from November 25.
- Eurowings: Plans to restart daily Berlin–Dubai services from November 25.
- Austrian Airlines: Scheduled to resume Vienna–Dubai flights on December 12, with five services per week.
Airlines that have already resumed Dubai flights
A number of international carriers have already restored connections to Dubai, helping rebuild travel links between the UAE and overseas destinations.
- Philippine Airlines: Resumed operations at Dubai International Airport on October 21. It operates alongside Cebu Pacific on the Dubai–Manila route, with both airlines offering four weekly flights.
- Air Astana: Restored Dubai connections with Kazakhstan, including services to Almaty.
- Aegean Airlines: Resumed flights between Athens and Dubai.
- British Airways: Continues to operate daily non-stop flights between London Heathrow and Dubai, with onward connections to Abu Dhabi available through partner airlines.
Airlines extending Dubai flight suspensions
While some carriers are returning, others have extended their suspensions or postponed their planned resumption dates.
- Singapore Airlines: Dubai flights SQ494 and SQ495 remain suspended until February 28, 2027.
- Cathay Pacific: Dubai services suspended until January 31, 2027.
- Air Canada: Dubai flights suspended until the end of March 2027.
- Finnair: Dubai services suspended for the 2026/27 winter season.
- KLM: Dubai flights suspended until March 27, 2027.
- Korean Air: Dubai services suspended until further notice.
- Virgin Atlantic: No return to Dubai is planned before 2027.
- ITA Airways: Dubai flights suspended until November 30, with passengers advised to check subsequent schedule updates.
- Luxair: The airline’s return to Dubai has been postponed until February 2027 at the earliest.
What UAE travellers should know before heading to the airport
With flight schedules changing frequently, passengers are advised to take additional precautions and stay informed before setting out on their journeys.
- Check your flight status before leaving home: Having a confirmed booking does not guarantee that your flight will operate as originally scheduled.
- Use official airline channels: Verify your flight number, departure time and any revised travel arrangements directly with your airline.
- Allow extra time at the airport: Arrive at least three hours before departure, or earlier if instructed by your airline. flydubai recommends that passengers allow four hours for departures from Dubai.
- Complete online check-in: Where available, checking in online can help reduce the time spent at the airport.
- Keep your contact details updated: Airlines use registered email addresses and mobile numbers to communicate cancellations, delays and rebooking arrangements.
- Double-check your departure airport: This is particularly important for passengers travelling within Saudi Arabia, where some airlines have temporarily shifted operations to alternative airports.
- Review your travel insurance: Check whether your policy covers flight cancellations, missed connections, additional accommodation costs and travel changes resulting from security-related disruptions.
- Follow local safety instructions: Travellers in affected areas should monitor official announcements and avoid photographing or sharing images of military activity, interceptions or incident locations.
The regional situation remains fluid, and airline schedules may change at short notice. Passengers are advised not to rely solely on older timetables or third-party flight trackers, and to reconfirm their travel arrangements directly with their airline before leaving for the airport.
