flydubai cancels all flights as protests and internet blackout grip Iran
Passengers advised to rebook as schedules are revised
DUBAI – flydubai cancelled all of its scheduled flights to Iran on Friday, as unrest across the country and a nationwide internet blackout continued to disrupt regional air travel.
The Dubai-based carrier confirmed that services to multiple Iranian cities had been suspended, with passengers contacted directly to arrange alternative travel plans. The airline said it would continue to review its schedules as the situation evolved.
The cancellations came amid some of the largest protests Iran has experienced in years, with demonstrations spreading across all 31 provinces, including Tehran, Isfahan, Shiraz and Mashhad.
flydubai statement
A flydubai spokesperson told local media that flights to Iran on January 9, 2026 have been cancelled. “We are in direct contact with passengers whose travel plans have been affected. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and revise our flight schedule accordingly.”
The airline advised customers to check the status of their flights via its website, contact the flydubai Contact Centre, visit its travel shops or reach out to their travel agents to arrange rebooking or refunds.
Airport data
Dubai Airports data showed that at least 17 flights from Dubai to Iranian cities were cancelled on Friday, including services to Tehran, Shiraz and Mashhad. flydubai accounted for a significant share of the suspended operations, as airlines across the region reassessed safety and operational conditions.
The airport operator did not publish an official explanation for the cancellations, though they coincided with reports of Iran being cut off from global internet access.
How other airlines responded
flydubai’s decision came as other airlines also cancelled flights to Iran.
Sharjah-based Air Arabia cancelled flights from Sharjah to Tehran, Shiraz, Lar and Mashhad, further tightening air links between Iran and the Gulf as the unrest continues to unfold.
Turkish Airlines halted all five of its scheduled Friday flights to Tehran, while Turkish media reported that Turkish Airlines, Ajet and Pegasus Airlines collectively cancelled dozens more Iran-bound services. Qatar Airways also saw at least two Doha to Tehran flights cancelled, according to Hamad International Airport.
The protests, which began at the end of December, were triggered by economic hardship, soaring inflation and the collapse of the Iranian rial. The currency has fallen by 56 per cent in six months to 1.42 million to the dollar, while food prices have risen by an average of 72 percent year on year.