Air Canada Extends Dubai Flight Suspension Until March 2027.
Dubai: Travellers flying to and from the UAE are facing some delays and cancellations on Tuesday, with regional geopolitical tensions continuing to affect certain services at Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi.
Several flights operated by Emirates, flydubai, SpiceJet and other carriers have been delayed or cancelled. Airlines continue to advise passengers to check the latest status of their individual flights before travelling to the airport.
Air Canada has also extended the suspension of its Dubai services until the end of March 2027, citing the ongoing situation in the Middle East.
The disruption comes as international airlines continue to review their operations to and from the UAE. Several carriers have announced plans to restore Dubai services during October and November, although schedules remain subject to developments in the regional security situation.
Meanwhile, jet fuel prices eased last week. According to IATA, the global average jet fuel price declined 4.9% week on week to $185.43 a barrel as crude prices retreated from recent highs amid easing supply concerns and the restoration of key Middle East energy export infrastructure.
Iran-US tensions continue to affect aviation
US President Donald Trump rejected Iran’s proposal for a seven-day truce on Monday but said he expected discussions to continue. Mediators held talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US representatives in New York, with discussions reportedly covering the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and nuclear issues.
Tehran denied reports that it had shown greater “flexibility” over its nuclear position. Iranian authorities also said an explosion-like sound reported near Qeshm Island was likely caused by warning shots directed at vessels. Iran separately denied reports that flights to Najaf had resumed.
Saudi Arabia and the US reiterated the importance of maintaining security around the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab amid increased Houthi attacks. Separately, the UAE President received Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Continued regional uncertainty is placing pressure on aviation schedules, with airlines and airports cautioning travellers that departure and arrival times may change at short notice.
Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports report delays and cancellations
Several flights departing from Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi experienced delays on Tuesday morning.
Airlines are urging passengers to confirm their departure times before heading to the airport, as schedules could change at short notice amid the evolving regional situation.
Dubai International Airport
A number of departures from DXB were affected, including services operated by Emirates, flydubai and SpiceJet.
Cancelled flights:
- SpiceJet SG052 — Dubai to Pune
- flydubai FZ815 — Dubai to Abha
- flydubai FZ209 — Dubai to Erbil
Delayed flights:
- Emirates EK775 — Dubai to Durban
- Emirates EK778 — Dubai to Cape Town
- SpiceJet SG5106 — Dubai to New Delhi
- SpiceJet SG5156 — Dubai to Amritsar
- SpiceJet SG5112 — Dubai to New Delhi
Other services, including flights operated by Turkish Airlines and Kam Air, were also listed among the delayed departures.
Zayed International Airport
At Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi, Air Arabia Abu Dhabi flight 3L781 to Almaty was among the services listed as affected.
What UAE airlines are doing
Emirates
Emirates services to Bahrain and Kuwait are operating as scheduled, although some early-morning flights experienced minor delays.
Passengers are advised to check the airline’s latest flight information through its official channels before travelling to the airport.
Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways reported no major delays or cancellations in its general operational update.
Services to Bahrain and Kuwait are operating as scheduled, while passengers are advised to check the latest flight information before heading to the airport.
flydubai
flydubai reported no major delays or cancellations in its broader operational update.
Passengers departing from Dubai are advised to arrive at the airport at least four hours before their scheduled departure. Travellers should also complete online check-in where available and confirm their flight status before leaving for the airport.
Air Arabia
Air Arabia has reported several cancellations and schedule changes affecting services to Kuwait and Bahrain.
Sharjah-Kuwait:
- G9068 — cancelled
- G9124 — cancelled
- G9121 — operational but had not yet departed
Sharjah-Bahrain:
- G9107 — cancelled
- G9101 — arrived late
- G9103 — scheduled
- G9105 — scheduled
Abu Dhabi-Kuwait:
- 3L020 — cancelled
- 3L022 — listed in the schedule
Iranian airlines are also facing broader regional restrictions following US sanctions targeting companies dealing with Iranian carriers. The UAE has suspended services operated by Iranian airlines to and from the country until further notice.
What international travel advisories are saying
Some governments have eased their travel guidance, although warnings about potential flight and airspace disruption remain as regional security conditions continue to evolve.
United Kingdom: The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has removed its broader warning against all but essential travel to the UAE. However, it continues to caution travellers about possible flight cancellations and airspace disruptions.
United States: 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 environment 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: The Kingdom’s 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 airlines before heading to the airport.
International airlines: Which carriers are returning to the UAE?
Several international airlines are preparing to resume or expand UAE services over the coming months, although planned schedules remain subject to developments in the regional security situation.
- Air Astana: Dubai services from Almaty and Astana are scheduled to return from October 1-2.
- Philippine Airlines: Nonstop Manila-Dubai services are due to begin on October 2.
- Wizz Air: Dubai services are expected to resume around October 24-25, followed by Abu Dhabi operations in late October.
- Singapore Airlines: SQ494 and SQ495 services to and from Dubai are scheduled to resume on October 24.
- Lufthansa: Dubai services to Frankfurt and Munich are expected to restart from October 25.
- SWISS: Dubai-Zurich flights are scheduled to return from October 27.
- Eurowings: Dubai services from Berlin and Stuttgart are planned from November 1, followed by Cologne/Bonn from November 3.
- British Airways: Dubai services are scheduled to resume from November 3, while Abu Dhabi flights remain suspended until the winter 2027-28 season.
- Austrian Airlines: Dubai-Vienna services are expected to resume from December 12.
- Air France: Dubai services are not expected to return until October 13. The carrier has also restored Beirut flights and plans to restart Riyadh services. Air France has said any resumption remains subject to its assessment of the rapidly evolving security situation.
Air Canada extends Dubai flight suspension
Air Canada has extended the suspension of its Dubai operations, with flights to and from Dubai International Airport now set to remain cancelled until the end of March 2027 because of the situation in the Middle East.
The decision comes as other international carriers announce phased returns to the UAE, highlighting differing airline assessments of the regional operating environment.
What UAE travellers should keep in mind
Passengers should check their flight status before leaving home, even if their booking has already been confirmed, as schedules can change at short notice.
Travellers should generally arrive at least three hours before departure, or earlier when specifically advised by their airline. flydubai passengers departing from Dubai are currently advised to allow at least four hours.
Where available, passengers should complete online check-in in advance and factor in additional time for road traffic, airport check-in, security and immigration procedures.
Travellers should also ensure their contact details are up to date with their airline so they can receive disruption notifications. Given the possibility of last-minute delays, cancellations and schedule changes, passengers should check official airline and airport channels immediately before travelling.
