UAE travel update: Check latest Emirates, Etihad and Air Arabia flight cancellations
Summer travel surge prompts airports to advise early arrivals
DUBAI – Travellers flying from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are being urged to check their flight status before leaving for the airport as Emirates, Etihad Airways and Air Arabia continue to adjust selected Gulf services, even as airports across the country remain busy with the summer holiday travel rush.
Dubai International Airport, Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi and other UAE airports are operating normally, with the majority of scheduled flights departing as planned. However, airlines continue to make operational adjustments on selected routes to Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan while closely monitoring the regional security situation.
With thousands of passengers expected to travel during the peak summer season, airports and airlines are also advising customers to arrive well in advance of departure and use digital services to reduce waiting times.
Airport advice
UAE airports are asking passengers to prepare for heavier-than-usual traffic and higher passenger volumes throughout the holiday period.
Travellers are advised to:
- Arrive at least three hours before departure.
- Check their flight status before leaving home.
- Allow additional time for road traffic, check-in, security screening and immigration.
- Use airline mobile applications and online check-in where available.
- Ensure airlines have updated contact details to receive real-time notifications.
Dubai International Airport has also reminded passengers to plan extra time for their journey as passenger numbers continue to rise during the summer peak.
Emirates
Emirates continues to operate the vast majority of its network, although several services to Gulf destinations remain cancelled.
Kuwait
The following flights between Dubai and Kuwait have been cancelled:
- EK853
- EK855
- EK857
- EK859
Return services from Kuwait to Dubai affected are:
- EK854
- EK856
- EK858
- EK860
The airline has also indicated that additional cancellations are expected on August 2.
Bahrain
Cancelled Dubai-Bahrain services include:
- EK835
- EK837
- EK839
Cancelled Bahrain-Dubai services include:
- EK836
- EK838
- EK840
Further cancellations are also expected on August 2.
Jordan
On the Dubai-Amman route:
- EK901 – Scheduled
- EK903 – Scheduled
- EK905 – Cancelled
From Amman to Dubai:
- EK902 – Scheduled
- EK904 – Scheduled
- EK906 – Cancelled
Passengers are encouraged to verify the latest status of their flights before travelling.
Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways has maintained operational cancellations on selected services from Abu Dhabi.
Affected routes include:
- EY653 – Abu Dhabi to Kuwait
- EY654 – Kuwait to Abu Dhabi
Selected flights between Abu Dhabi and Bahrain
The airline is advising affected passengers to ensure their contact information is up to date and to monitor official Etihad channels for notifications regarding rebooking and schedule changes.
Air Arabia
Air Arabia has also announced cancellations across parts of its Sharjah and Abu Dhabi networks.
Abu Dhabi-Kuwait
- 3L020 – Cancelled
- 3L022 – Not yet departed
Return flights:
- 3L021 – Cancelled
- 3L023 – Not yet departed
Sharjah-Kuwait
- G9068 – Cancelled
- G9124 – Cancelled
- G9121 – Not yet departed
Return flights:
- G9069 – Cancelled
- G9125 – Cancelled
- G9122 – Not yet departed
Sharjah-Bahrain
- G9107 – Cancelled
- G9101
- G9103
- G9105 – Not yet departed
Return services include:
- G9108 – Cancelled
- G9102
- G9104
- G9106 – Not yet departed
Passengers should continue checking Air Arabia's website or customer service channels for the latest operational updates.
flydubai
flydubai has not announced any major changes to its network and continues to operate scheduled services.
The airline is nevertheless advising passengers to confirm their flight status before travelling, complete online check-in where possible and allow extra time to reach the airport because of increased passenger volumes during the holiday season.
Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways has extended the temporary suspension of passenger flights to:
- Bahrain
- Erbil
- Kuwait
The suspension remains in effect until and including August 7, 2026.
Passengers booked on affected flights are advised to monitor the airline's official communication channels for further updates.
International airlines
Several international airlines continue to suspend or reduce services to destinations across the Gulf.
Current measures include:
- British Airways suspending Dubai, Bahrain, Amman and Tel Aviv services until October 31.
- Singapore Airlines, Air Canada, Cathay Pacific, Finnair and ITA Airways suspending Dubai services until October 24.
- Lufthansa and Swiss suspending Dubai flights until September 13.
- Aegean Airlines and Air Astana extending Dubai suspensions until August 31.
- KLM suspending Dubai services until August 23.
- Philippine Airlines suspending Dubai services until October 2.
- Turkish Airlines resuming Dubai and Abu Dhabi flights while maintaining the suspension of Iran services.
Passengers with bookings on affected airlines should contact their carrier regarding refunds, alternative flights or travel waivers.
What passengers need to know
Although UAE airports remain fully operational, airlines continue to avoid certain parts of regional airspace because of security considerations.
Travellers may therefore experience longer flight times, occasional last-minute schedule changes, extended transit times and delays in baggage delivery on some international routes.
Passengers travelling from the UAE are advised to check their flight status before leaving for the airport, monitor airline websites or mobile applications for the latest updates, keep their contact details current and arrive early to allow sufficient time for check-in and security procedures.