Emirates, Etihad, flydubai and Air Arabia Announce Widespread Flight Disruptions Today.
Dubai: Air passengers across the UAE are experiencing another day of travel disruption on Thursday, with delays affecting flights at Dubai International Airport and Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport, while cancellations continue on routes connecting the Emirates with Saudi Arabia.
The disruption could extend into the weekend, particularly for passengers scheduled to travel to Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah.
Etihad Airways has suspended all flights between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh, as well as Abu Dhabi and Dammam, until Sunday, October 18. Several services connecting Abu Dhabi and Jeddah have also been cancelled.
Other UAE carriers, including Emirates, flydubai and Air Arabia, have announced cancellations affecting selected flights to Saudi Arabian destinations.
Meanwhile, some international airlines are gradually resuming operations to the UAE. However, several carriers continue to suspend services to Dubai and Abu Dhabi amid ongoing regional security concerns.
Passengers are advised to verify the latest status of their flights directly with their airlines before travelling to the airport, even if their reservations have already been confirmed.
US-Iran Conflict: Regional Tensions Continue to Affect Aviation
Security tensions across the Middle East remain elevated as the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran continues to disrupt air travel and maritime activity.
US military forces have reported destroying a dhow allegedly linked to Iran near the Strait of Hormuz. Separately, Iranian authorities have claimed that a naval mine caused a container ship to sink.
Reports also suggest that Iran has deployed small vessels to monitor the movements of American naval ships and commercial shipping traffic in the region.
In Yemen, the Houthis are reportedly working on a new ballistic missile system incorporating components sourced from China.
The uncertain security environment has increased the possibility of sudden changes to airline schedules, particularly for flights operating near conflict areas or airspace affected by military operations.
Airlines may therefore adjust, delay or cancel services with limited advance notice as they assess operational and safety conditions.
UAE-Saudi Arabia Flights Face Continued Cancellations
Flights between the UAE and Saudi Arabia have been particularly affected following attacks targeting King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.
According to Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), the airport was struck in two separate attacks on Thursday, October 8.
The first attack damaged airport facilities, while a second incident targeted an aircraft operated by Saudia, the kingdom’s national airline.
The authority reported that three Saudi nationals lost their lives and several other people sustained injuries.
Emergency response personnel and the relevant authorities were deployed immediately following the incidents, GACA said.
The attacks have led to extensive disruption across UAE-Saudi air routes, with airlines cancelling flights and revising schedules as they respond to the evolving security situation.
Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways has announced the cancellation of several services between Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia, with disruptions affecting flights to Dammam, Riyadh and Jeddah.
The airline confirmed the following cancellations:
- Abu Dhabi–Dammam: All services suspended until Sunday, October 18.
- Abu Dhabi–Riyadh: All flights cancelled through Sunday, October 18.
- Abu Dhabi–Jeddah: Flights EY601 and EY602 cancelled from October 12 through October 18.
- Abu Dhabi–Jeddah: Flights EY603 and EY604 cancelled through Monday, October 19.
Etihad cautioned that the situation continues to evolve and additional adjustments to its flight schedules may be necessary.
Emirates
Emirates has cancelled multiple flights connecting Dubai with major Saudi Arabian cities, including Dammam, Jeddah and Riyadh.
The affected services include:
Dubai–Dammam
- EK823
- EK827
- EK825
- EK821
Dubai–Jeddah
- EK801
- EK805
- EK803
Dubai–Riyadh
- EK815
- EK819
- EK817
Passengers booked on these routes are encouraged to consult Emirates’ official travel advisories and flight-status updates for the latest information before heading to the airport.
flydubai
Dubai-based carrier flydubai has also reported cancellations across several routes to Saudi Arabia, affecting both major cities and regional destinations.
The cancelled services include:
- Abha: FZ811
- AlUla: FZ905
- Dammam: FZ883, FZ869, FZ863 and FZ867
- Ha’il: FZ821
- Hofuf: FZ809
- Jouf: FZ913
- Neom: FZ931
- Riyadh: FZ847, FZ841 and FZ855
- Red Sea International: FZ927
flydubai passengers departing from Dubai are advised to check the airline’s latest operational announcements before travelling and allow additional time for airport procedures.
Air Arabia
Air Arabia has reported cancellations on several routes between Sharjah and Saudi Arabia on October 14 and 15.
The affected flights include:
Sharjah–Riyadh
- G9151 and G9154 cancelled.
- Return services G9152 and G9155 also cancelled.
Sharjah–Abha
- G9195 and G9196 cancelled.
Sharjah–Dammam
- G9160 and G9161 cancelled.
Sharjah–Taif
- G9187 and G9188 cancelled.
Sharjah–Tabuk
- G9191 and G9192 cancelled on October 14.
- The same services were shown as not yet departed on October 15.
Additional Air Arabia flight cancellations have also been reported, with further details expected in the airline’s operational updates.
Additional flight cancellations reported by Air Arabia include:
- G9068: Sharjah–Kuwait
- G9124: Sharjah–Kuwait
- 3L020: Abu Dhabi–Kuwait
Meanwhile, flight G9121 was shown as operational, although it had not departed at the time of the update.
Dubai–Tel Aviv Flights Continue to Face Disruptions
flydubai’s services to Tel Aviv remain affected following a security incident involving flight FZ1073 on September 30.
Emirates has also suspended its codeshare operations on the affected routes until further notice.
Travellers planning journeys between Dubai and Tel Aviv are advised to confirm their flight status directly with the operating airline before heading to the airport.
UAE Maintains Restrictions on Iranian Airlines
The UAE’s suspension of flights operated by Iranian carriers remains in place, with no confirmed date for the restrictions to be lifted.
Under the measures, airlines including Iran Airtour are prohibited from operating services to and from Dubai.
Affected passengers should contact their airline or booking agent to discuss alternative travel arrangements, including possible rebooking options.
International Travel Advisories: Latest Guidance for UAE Visitors
Several countries continue to advise travellers to remain cautious when visiting the UAE and neighbouring Gulf destinations because of regional security concerns.
United Kingdom: The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has withdrawn its general advisory against all but essential travel to the UAE. However, British authorities continue to caution that regional tensions could lead to sudden flight cancellations, airspace restrictions and other travel disruptions.
United States: The UAE remains under a Level 3 advisory, urging American citizens to reconsider travel because of risks associated with terrorism and armed conflict.
Canada: Canadian authorities recommend exercising a high degree of caution when travelling to the UAE, warning that changing regional security conditions could disrupt aviation services.
Australia: Australian travellers continue to be advised to reconsider their need to visit the UAE because of the unpredictable security environment across the region.
Europe: The European Union Aviation Safety Agency’s (EASA) conflict-zone guidance continues to influence airline route planning. Aviation operators have been alerted to potential risks involving airspace in the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia: The US Embassy and consulates in the kingdom have encouraged American citizens to remain alert to the possibility of drone or missile attacks.
International Airlines: Which UAE Flights Are Resuming or Remaining Suspended?
Several overseas carriers are gradually restoring connections to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, although recovery remains uneven across the international aviation network.
The latest announced schedule changes include:
- Air Astana: Flights between Almaty and Dubai resumed from October 1, followed by Astana–Dubai services from October 2.
- Philippine Airlines: Dubai–Manila operations have restarted, with reservations available from October 5.
- Lufthansa: Munich–Dubai flights are scheduled to resume on October 25, operating five times weekly.
- Lufthansa: Frankfurt–Dubai services are expected to restart on October 26 with four weekly flights, increasing to five per week from November 9.
- SWISS: Daily Zurich–Dubai services are scheduled to resume on October 27.
- Austrian Airlines: Vienna–Dubai flights are expected to restart on December 12, with five services per week.
- Eurowings: Daily Berlin–Dubai flights are scheduled from November 1, alongside four weekly Stuttgart–Dubai services beginning the same day. Cologne/Bonn–Dubai flights are planned three times weekly from November 3.
- Wizz Air: The launch of selected Abu Dhabi routes from Krakow, Katowice, Sofia, Cluj-Napoca, Larnaca and Budapest has been deferred until January 10, 2027.
- Singapore Airlines: Flights SQ494 from Singapore to Dubai and SQ495 from Dubai to Singapore remain cancelled until December 1.
- British Airways: Dubai operations are scheduled to resume on November 3, while services to Abu Dhabi remain suspended until the winter 2027–28 season.
- Air France: Flights serving Dubai and Riyadh remain suspended through October 24.
- Cathay Pacific: Passenger services to Dubai and Riyadh have been cancelled through January 31, 2027.
- Lufthansa Group, SWISS, Austrian Airlines and Edelweiss: Abu Dhabi operations remain suspended through October 24.
- Eurowings: Abu Dhabi services also remain suspended through October 24, with no confirmed restart date.
Wizz Air explained that the continued closure of Iraqi airspace has required aircraft to take longer routes, with some A321neo services needing additional technical stops for refuelling.
The airline said these operational challenges, combined with current fuel costs, have made the affected routes commercially unsustainable under existing conditions.
Wizz Air also confirmed that Jordan’s inclusion in EASA’s list of destinations where operations are discouraged has resulted in the suspension of its Jordan services until October 25.
Dubai and Abu Dhabi Airports Continue Operating Despite Delays
Dubai International Airport and Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport remain open and operational despite the disruption affecting selected regional and international routes.
Flights continue to operate across much of the global network, although delays have been reported at both airports.
Passengers should therefore avoid assuming that a flight will depart on time simply because it has not been cancelled.
Dubai Airports recommends checking the latest flight information before travelling to DXB.
Similarly, passengers flying from Abu Dhabi should consult Zayed International Airport’s live departure updates, while those departing from Sharjah can review the airport’s online flight information.
UAE Airlines: Key Updates for Passengers
Etihad Airways
Flights to Saudi Arabia remain significantly disrupted. Services between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh or Dammam are cancelled through October 18, while selected Jeddah flights remain suspended through October 18 or October 19.
The airline has warned that further schedule adjustments may be necessary.
Emirates
Several Dubai–Saudi Arabia services remain affected, including flights to Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam.
Emirates has also suspended codeshare operations on the affected Tel Aviv routes operated with flydubai.
Passengers should consult the airline’s latest travel advisories before departure.
flydubai
The carrier continues to report cancellations across several Saudi Arabian destinations, while its Tel Aviv operations remain affected.
Travellers are encouraged to review the airline’s operational announcements and confirm their individual flight details.
Air Arabia
Multiple flights connecting Sharjah with Saudi Arabia have been cancelled, alongside selected services to Kuwait.
Passengers should check the status of their specific flights rather than relying exclusively on the original published schedule.
Important Travel Advice for UAE Passengers
With airline operations continuing to change, travellers should take additional precautions to minimise disruption to their journeys.
- Confirm your flight status: Check directly with your airline before leaving home, even if your ticket and reservation have already been confirmed.
- Monitor schedule changes: Departure times and flight availability may change with limited notice, making it important to review updates regularly.
- Arrive early: Plan to reach the airport at least three hours before departure unless your airline provides different instructions.
- Allow extra time for flydubai: Passengers departing from Dubai on flydubai should arrive four hours before their scheduled flights, in line with the carrier’s guidance.
- Use online check-in: Complete check-in digitally whenever the service is available to reduce time spent at the airport.
- Plan for airport procedures: Account for possible road congestion and additional time required for check-in, security screening and immigration.
- Update contact information: Ensure your airline has your correct mobile number and email address so you can receive notifications about delays or cancellations.
- Understand your options: If your flight is cancelled, contact the airline before travelling to the airport to discuss alternative bookings or refunds.
- Prepare for further disruption: Remain flexible, as operational decisions may change depending on regional security developments.
- Follow official updates: Check airline and airport announcements again on your travel date, particularly for journeys involving Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Tel Aviv and other routes affected by regional restrictions.
Travellers are encouraged to rely on official airline and airport communication channels for the most accurate information, as flight schedules may change rapidly in response to evolving conditions.
