Diplomatic and Military Developments Keep Tensions High, Fueling Uncertainty and Travel Disruptions.
UAE residents continue to face regional travel disruptions and uncertainty on Thursday, October 29, amid ongoing tensions across the Middle East.
Efforts to prevent further fighting between the US and Iran remain unresolved.
Saudi Arabia reported another intercepted Houthi missile, while the Iran-backed rebels reportedly launched two missiles towards Aden Airport, raising fresh concerns over aviation safety in Yemen.
Meanwhile, a third US aircraft carrier and additional troops are heading towards the Middle East.
With no peace deal announced, travellers heading to Saudi Arabia and those monitoring Gulf shipping routes may continue to face restrictions and uncertainty as diplomatic efforts continue and regional security concerns persist.
Flights: Check individual bookings
Etihad’s official advisory confirms that all flights from Abu Dhabi to Riyadh and Dammam have been cancelled through November 5, 2026.
Four services to and from Jeddah — EY601, EY602, EY603 and EY604 — have also been cancelled through that date. The airline said further changes remain possible.
Etihad also reported technical issues on October 28 that caused delays to its outbound Abu Dhabi–Vienna flight EY153 and the return service, Vienna–Abu Dhabi EY154. The Abu Dhabi–New Delhi flight EY218, scheduled for October 27, and its return service EY219 on October 28 were also delayed.
Emirates listed flight resumptions to Jeddah on October 30, and to Riyadh and Dammam on November 8.
flydubai listed resumptions to Riyadh, Dammam and Abha from October 30.
Passengers should check their specific flight, return journey and connecting services directly with their airline. Riyadh airport’s partial reopening does not mean all carriers have resumed operations.
Etihad said affected passengers would be offered rebooking options and advised them to ensure their contact details are up to date.
Dubai International Airport (DXB) is now operating at full capacity following the reopening of airspace. Transfer traffic is leading the recovery, ahead of point-to-point travel.
DXB reported that scheduled departing seat capacity rose by 24.3% to 4.6 million seats in October 2026, as UAE carriers expanded services ahead of the winter travel season.
Saudi Arabia and Yemen
The Saudi-led coalition said air defences intercepted and destroyed a Houthi ballistic missile launched towards Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province early on Thursday, October 29, 2026, according to coalition spokesman Turki Al-Malki.
Separately, Yemeni government officials said missile attacks on Aden Airport on Wednesday caused civilian injuries and damage, forcing a halt to air traffic.
The BBC also reported that escalating Houthi attacks had prompted changes to US diplomatic staffing in Saudi Arabia, including an order for nonessential US embassy personnel to leave.
Renewed strikes remain possible, but no decision has been announced
On Thursday, US officials warned regional allies to prepare for possible strikes on Iran following the November 3 midterm elections, as well as potential Iranian retaliation. Two diplomats stressed that President Donald Trump had not made a final decision.
CNN separately reported on Monday that US forces were prepared to launch potentially major operations “within 96 hours” of receiving an order. However, military readiness does not mean an attack has been authorised or scheduled.
Diplomacy continues amid conflicting accounts
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran remained in contact with mediators over implementing a seven-day plan to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, potentially on a faster timeline.
However, a senior Iranian official told Reuters that Qatar had presented “unacceptable ideas and not an offer”, contradicting another account that described a draft agreement.
Saudi, Pakistani, Turkish and Iranian officials agreed on Monday to continue dialogue. However, key disputes over nuclear negotiations, sanctions, maritime passage and regional security remain unresolved.
Strait of Hormuz: Mine clearance
Meanwhile, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) rejected the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ (IRGC) account of commercial vessels striking mines in the Strait of Hormuz. It said internationally recognised primary transit lanes remained “cleared” and that thousands of vessels had passed through safely.
The statement does not establish that every part of the Gulf is free of mines or that commercial shipping has returned to normal.
For UAE residents, the immediate priorities remain checking verified flight updates, following official UAE instructions and assessing regional developments with care, particularly when reports from different parties conflict.
Neither military reassurances nor ongoing negotiations guarantee that travel disruptions or the risk of further escalation have ended.
The situation remains fluid on Thursday, October 29.
