Dubai Sees Resumption of More European and Asian Flights as DCAA Urges Passengers to Review Ticket Conditions.
Passengers travelling from the UAE are advised to confirm their flight status directly with their airlines before leaving for the airport, as cancellations and timetable adjustments continue to disrupt services to Saudi Arabia and several other destinations.
Etihad Airways has announced the cancellation of flights from Abu Dhabi to Dammam, Jeddah and Riyadh until November 5. Meanwhile, Emirates has reported cancellations affecting multiple routes to Saudi Arabia.
Flydubai has also temporarily suspended its services to Riyadh, Dammam and Abha through October 29, while Air Arabia has announced flight cancellations across several regional and international destinations.
Travellers are encouraged to contact their respective airlines for the most recent flight information before making their way to the airport. It is important to note that flight cancellations and schedule adjustments may have different causes and should not automatically be attributed to regional security concerns.
More international flights return for UAE travellers
Passengers departing from the UAE will have a wider selection of international routes as several airlines resume operations at Dubai International Airport (DXB), reconnecting the emirate with destinations across Europe, the Philippines and other major travel markets.
As many as 36 weekly flights between Dubai and European cities are expected to resume between late October and December. Services connecting Dubai with Athens and Manila are also returning, offering travellers additional choices ahead of the winter holiday season.
For more details, read the full report on the latest airline schedules and route changes.
Dubai passengers advised to understand their travel rights
The Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) has reminded air travellers to carefully review their ticket terms and conditions before departure.
Passengers should familiarise themselves with airline policies covering flight changes, cancellations, rebooking arrangements and baggage allowances to avoid unexpected complications.
Under applicable regulations, airlines are required to explain flight delays or cancellations and provide assistance to affected passengers.
Travellers experiencing problems should initially raise their concerns with the airline or travel agency responsible for their booking.
If the issue remains unresolved or the response is unsatisfactory, passengers can escalate their complaint to the DCAA within 14 days.
Trump raises possibility of further military action against Iran
US President Donald Trump has warned that additional strikes against Iran could follow if Tehran does not reach an agreement with Washington.
Trump claimed that earlier American military operations had significantly weakened Iran’s military strength and nuclear capabilities.
Meanwhile, the United States is scaling back diplomatic staffing in several Middle Eastern countries following intelligence warnings about heightened threats from Iran against American personnel.
The developments come as Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement intensifies attacks targeting Saudi Arabia, increasing concerns about a broader regional confrontation.
The US State Department has instructed non-essential diplomatic staff and their families to leave Saudi Arabia amid the escalating Houthi attacks.
Reports also indicate that Israel has advocated more immediate measures against Iran as regional tensions continue to rise.
Saudi Arabia intercepts missile targeting Riyadh
Saudi Arabian air defence systems intercepted a ballistic missile launched towards Riyadh by the Houthi movement on Saturday, according to the Saudi-led coalition involved in the conflict.
A coalition spokesperson also reported that a drone had been intercepted in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province.
The latest incidents follow a series of attacks targeting the kingdom during the month, including a reported strike on Riyadh’s international airport.
The continuing security developments have heightened regional concerns and could lead to further changes in airline operations.
Passengers flying between the UAE and affected destinations should verify their flight schedules directly with their carriers before travelling to the airport.
Iranian airline services remain suspended
Flights operated by Iranian carriers between Iran and the UAE continue to be suspended until further notice.
The disruption includes Iran Airtour services operating to and from Dubai.
Affected passengers should contact their airlines directly to obtain information about alternative travel arrangements, rebooking options or possible refunds.
Dubai–Tel Aviv flight services face continued disruption
Flights connecting Dubai and Tel Aviv remain affected following the September 30 security incident involving flydubai flight FZ1073.
Emirates’ codeshare services operated in partnership with flydubai on routes to and from Tel Aviv also remain suspended until further notice.
Travellers with bookings on these routes are advised to consult their airlines for updated flight information and available alternatives.
Etihad Airways suspends Abu Dhabi–Saudi Arabia flights until November 5
Etihad Airways has announced the cancellation of services connecting Abu Dhabi with three major Saudi Arabian destinations: Dammam, Riyadh and Jeddah.
The cancellations will remain in effect through Thursday, November 5, with the airline citing ongoing regional disruptions.
Passengers booked on the affected routes should contact Etihad Airways for the latest updates regarding their reservations and available travel options.
Dammam
Etihad Airways has suspended all flights operating between Abu Dhabi and Dammam until November 5.
Riyadh
All Etihad services connecting Abu Dhabi with Riyadh have also been cancelled through November 5.
Jeddah
Etihad has confirmed the cancellation of the following flights between Abu Dhabi and Jeddah until November 5:
- EY601: Abu Dhabi to Jeddah
- EY602: Jeddah to Abu Dhabi
- EY603: Abu Dhabi to Jeddah
- EY604: Jeddah to Abu Dhabi
The airline has cautioned that the situation continues to evolve, meaning additional schedule adjustments or cancellations could be announced.
Affected travellers are advised to regularly check Etihad Airways’ official updates and contact the carrier for assistance with rebooking or alternative travel arrangements.
Emirates announces cancellations on Dubai–Saudi Arabia routes
Emirates has reported flight cancellations affecting several services connecting Dubai with destinations in Saudi Arabia.
Dammam
The following Emirates flights operating between Dubai and Dammam have been listed as cancelled:
Dubai to Dammam:
- EK823
- EK827
- EK821
Dammam to Dubai:
- EK824
- EK828
- EK822
Jeddah
Emirates has also listed cancellations affecting the following flights between Dubai and Jeddah:
Dubai to Jeddah:
- EK801
- EK805
- EK803
Jeddah to Dubai:
The affected flight numbers for services departing Jeddah were not specified in the information provided.
Jeddah to Dubai:
- EK802
- EK806
- EK804
Riyadh
Emirates has also listed the following services between Dubai and Riyadh as cancelled:
- EK815
- EK819
- EK817
Medina
According to the flight-status details provided, the following Emirates departures from Dubai to Medina are currently listed as scheduled:
- EK807
- EK2537
- EK809
However, the corresponding return services from Medina to Dubai are showing as cancelled:
- EK808
- EK2538
- EK810
As flight schedules remain subject to changes, passengers should confirm their latest booking and flight status directly with Emirates before heading to the airport.
Emirates suspends Tel Aviv codeshare flights
In an advisory issued on October 5, Emirates announced that its codeshare services with flydubai on routes connecting Dubai and Tel Aviv had been suspended with immediate effect until further notice.
Travellers affected by the suspension should contact Emirates or the travel agency through which their tickets were purchased to explore available assistance and alternative arrangements.
The airline has also encouraged customers to ensure their phone numbers and email addresses are updated under the Manage Your Booking section so they can receive important notifications regarding their flights.
flydubai flight updates: Saudi Arabia services affected
Flydubai has announced the cancellation of flights to Riyadh, Dammam and Abha through October 29, while cautioning that further adjustments to its Saudi Arabian network may occur.
Passengers travelling on October 24 should monitor their flight status carefully, as some services are listed as scheduled or estimated, while information for certain other routes is currently unavailable.
flydubai flights showing scheduled or estimated status
Gassim
- FZ871: Dubai to Gassim — Scheduled
- FZ872: Gassim to Dubai — Scheduled
Jeddah
- FZ919: Dubai to Jeddah — Estimated
- FZ831, FZ909, FZ829 and FZ807: Dubai to Jeddah — Scheduled
- FZ920: Jeddah to Dubai — Estimated
- FZ832, FZ910, FZ830 and FZ808: Jeddah to Dubai — Scheduled
Madinah
- FZ897, FZ8387 and FZ827: Dubai to Madinah — Scheduled
- FZ828, FZ898 and FZ8388: Madinah to Dubai — Scheduled
Tabuk
- FZ881: Dubai to Tabuk — Scheduled
- FZ882: Tabuk to Dubai — Scheduled
Saudi routes with unavailable flight-status information
Flight-status details for October 24 were not available in the supplied information for flydubai services operating to or from the following destinations:
- Abha
- AlUla
- Dammam
- Gizan
- Ha’il
- Hofuf
- Jouf
- Nejran
- Neom
- Qaisumah
- Riyadh
- The Red Sea
- Yanbu
Passengers should be aware that unavailable flight-status information does not necessarily indicate a cancellation.
Travellers booked on these routes are encouraged to contact flydubai directly or check its official flight-status service for confirmation before leaving for the airport.
The airline has also reminded passengers that airport check-in counters generally close 60 minutes before the scheduled departure time, unless they have received an SMS or email advising them of different arrangements.
Abu Dhabi: Air Arabia Abu Dhabi flight cancellations
Flight-status information for Abu Dhabi indicates that several Air Arabia Abu Dhabi services have been cancelled, affecting routes to Bangladesh, Egypt, Kuwait and Pakistan.
Dhaka
The following services between Abu Dhabi and Dhaka are listed as cancelled:
- 3L063: Abu Dhabi to Dhaka — Cancelled
- EY1367: Dhaka to Abu Dhabi — Cancelled
- 3L064: Dhaka to Abu Dhabi — Cancelled
Meanwhile, flight EY1366 from Abu Dhabi to Dhaka is showing a status of not yet departed.
Cairo–Sphinx
- 3L383: Abu Dhabi to Cairo–Sphinx — Cancelled
- 3L384: Cairo–Sphinx to Abu Dhabi — Not yet departed
Sohag
- 3L413: Abu Dhabi to Sohag — Cancelled
- 3L414: Sohag to Abu Dhabi — Cancelled
Kuwait
- 3L020: Abu Dhabi to Kuwait — Cancelled
- 3L021: Kuwait to Abu Dhabi — Cancelled
Faisalabad
- 3L315: Abu Dhabi to Faisalabad — Cancelled
- 3L316: Faisalabad to Abu Dhabi — Cancelled
Passengers travelling on these routes should confirm their latest flight status directly with the airline before heading to the airport.
Sharjah: Air Arabia flights affected by cancellations
Several Air Arabia services operating from Sharjah to destinations across Saudi Arabia, Asia, the Middle East and Europe have been listed as cancelled, according to the supplied flight-status information.
Saudi Arabia
Abha
- G9195: Sharjah to Abha — Cancelled
- G9196: Abha to Sharjah — Cancelled
Dammam
- G9160, G9163 and G9167: Sharjah to Dammam — Cancelled
- G9161, G9164 and G9168: Dammam to Sharjah — Cancelled
Riyadh
- G9151 and G9154: Sharjah to Riyadh — Cancelled
Other international destinations
Bahrain
- G9109 and G9013: Sharjah to Bahrain — Cancelled
Chattogram
- G9341 and G9520: Sharjah to Chattogram — Cancelled
- G9342 and G9521: Chattogram to Sharjah — Cancelled
Dhaka
- G9512 and G9518: Sharjah to Dhaka — Cancelled
- G9513: Dhaka to Sharjah — Cancelled
Cairo–Sphinx
- G9343: Sharjah to Cairo–Sphinx — Cancelled
- G9344: Cairo–Sphinx to Sharjah — Cancelled
Sohag
- G9617: Sharjah to Sohag — Cancelled
- G9618: Sohag to Sharjah — Not yet departed
Milan–Bergamo
- G9793: Sharjah to Milan–Bergamo — Cancelled
Almaty
- G9253: Sharjah to Almaty — Cancelled
Kuwait
- G9068 and G9124: Sharjah to Kuwait — Cancelled
- G9069 and G9125: Kuwait to Sharjah — Cancelled
Bishkek
- G9332: Sharjah to Bishkek — Cancelled
- G9333: Bishkek to Sharjah — Cancelled
Doha
- G9040 and G9027: Sharjah to Doha — Cancelled
- G9041 and G9028: Doha to Sharjah — Cancelled
Moscow–Domodedovo
- G9805, G9956 and G9958: Sharjah to Moscow–Domodedovo — Cancelled
- G9957, G9959 and G9806: Moscow–Domodedovo to Sharjah — Cancelled
Yekaterinburg
- G9960: Sharjah to Yekaterinburg — Cancelled
Travellers affected by these changes should contact Air Arabia for updated schedules, alternative travel arrangements and available rebooking options.
It is important to remember that flight disruptions may arise from a range of factors, including operational or technical difficulties, and should not automatically be linked to regional security developments.
Saudi Arabia flight disruptions: Latest airline cancellations and advisories
Flight cancellations affecting Saudi Arabia continue as several international carriers extend service suspensions or reduce operations amid ongoing regional disruptions.
Riyadh remains among the most affected destinations, while flights serving Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah have also experienced changes.
Major airline updates
- Air France: Flights to Riyadh remain cancelled through November 7.
- Air India and Air India Express: Services connecting Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah remain cancelled through October 24.
- Akasa Air: Jeddah flights are suspended until November 10, while Riyadh services remain suspended until November 30. Eligible affected passengers can request a full refund within seven days or reschedule without additional charges.
- British Airways: Riyadh flights are suspended until November 3, while the airline has permanently discontinued its Jeddah services.
- Cathay Pacific: Passenger flights to Riyadh remain cancelled until January 31, 2027.
- Gulf Air, Kuwait Airways and Lufthansa: Services to Riyadh remain cancelled pending the airport’s reopening.
- IndiGo: Flight cancellations affecting Riyadh have been extended through October 31. Services to Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah remain cancelled until October 27. Passengers should verify their flight status through IndiGo’s official website.
- ITA Airways: Riyadh services remain cancelled through November 18.
- KLM: Flights to Riyadh and Dammam are cancelled through October 31.
- Malaysia Airlines: Riyadh services remain suspended until the airport resumes operations, while flights to Jeddah and Madinah have restarted.
- Philippine Airlines: Cancellations affecting Riyadh flights have been extended through November 29.
- Qatar Airways: Flights to Riyadh and Dammam remain cancelled through October 24, while daily Jeddah services have been reduced from seven to four.
- Riyadh Air: Flights to Riyadh are cancelled through October 25. Temporary flexible travel arrangements are available for qualifying reservations through October 31.
- Singapore Airlines: The planned introduction of direct flights to Riyadh has been postponed until March 28, 2027.
- SriLankan Airlines: Riyadh services remain cancelled through November 1.
Passengers should regularly check their airline’s official travel advisories, as cancellation periods and operating schedules may be revised.
Riyadh airport introduces additional passenger assistance
King Khalid International Airport (KKIA) has introduced a round-the-clock ‘Ask Me’ assistance service across its terminals to support travellers seeking flight information and other airport-related guidance.
The service is designed to help passengers obtain updates and address travel queries during the ongoing disruptions.
The airport is also providing short-term and long-term baggage storage facilities for up to 15 days through its Lost & Found and Baggage offices in domestic and international terminals.
Passengers considering alternative travel arrangements, including road or rail journeys within Saudi Arabia or to neighbouring countries, should confirm service availability and relevant immigration requirements before departure.
What UAE passengers should do before travelling
With airline operations subject to frequent adjustments, travellers departing from or arriving in the UAE are encouraged to take a few precautions before heading to the airport.
- Verify flight status: Check directly with the operating airline to confirm whether the flight is scheduled, delayed, cancelled or awaiting an update.
- Review alternative arrangements: If a service is disrupted, contact the airline or booking agent to understand available rebooking, refund or alternative travel options.
- Update contact information: Ensure the airline has your current phone number and email address so you can receive important notifications.
- Check codeshare bookings: Passengers travelling on codeshare flights should confirm their booking and operating status with the relevant airlines.
Flight disruptions continue to affect selected routes connecting Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah with Saudi Arabia and other international destinations.
While some services have been cancelled, others remain scheduled or have estimated departure times. Flight-status information may also be unavailable for certain routes.
Passengers should avoid assuming that a flight is operating normally or has been cancelled when its status is unclear.
Before leaving home, travellers are advised to consult their airline and the relevant airport for the latest departure information, schedule changes and travel advisories.
Those affected by cancellations should contact their carriers promptly to explore rebooking, refunds or other available arrangements.
