Flying from UAE today? Check latest flight cancellations and delays
Several international airlines have extended suspensions into October and beyond
DUBAI – Air travel from the UAE remains mixed on Wednesday, with Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah airports continuing to operate while airlines adjust schedules in response to regional security developments and separate operational issues.
Most services from Dubai and Abu Dhabi are operating, although minor delays and cancellations continue to affect selected routes. Travellers flying to the UK and parts of the Gulf should also be aware of additional disruption caused by a technical problem involving the UK's air traffic control provider NATS.
The latest changes involve Emirates, Etihad Airways, flydubai and Air Arabia, while several international carriers have either restored services or extended suspensions on UAE and regional routes.
Regional situation
Regional tensions remain a major factor affecting aviation schedules. The US military reportedly destroyed five Iranian oil tankers early Wednesday, describing the action as retaliation for repeated Iranian missile attacks on a US Navy warship.
Iran's Revolutionary Guard has warned tanker crews near Kuwaiti and Bahraini ports to evacuate, while explosions were reported on Iran's Kharg Island. The escalation follows a missile attack on Jordan and comes as oil prices rise, with Brent crude approaching $98 a barrel.
US Central Command also confirmed that tanker M/T Riesco sank in the Gulf of Oman on September 8 after being destroyed by CENTCOM forces in response to attempted IRGC attacks on a US Navy warship.
The situation means flight schedules and airspace arrangements remain subject to rapid change.
Etihad Airways
Etihad's EY641 and EY645 services from Abu Dhabi to Bahrain are scheduled to operate, while EY653 from Abu Dhabi to Kuwait is delayed.
EY473 from Jakarta to Abu Dhabi is delayed on September 9 for an operational reason. EY414 from Abu Dhabi to Phuket was delayed on September 8, with return service EY415 also delayed on September 9.
The airline has also reported disruption affecting London-Abu Dhabi services because of the UK air traffic control issue.
EY64 from London Heathrow to Abu Dhabi has been cancelled. EY66 is expected to depart at 21:30, while EY68 is expected to face an extended delay after inbound EY67 was diverted to Paris Charles de Gaulle.
Etihad said it is assisting affected passengers with hotel accommodation and onward rebooking.
Emirates
Emirates' EK837 and EK839 Dubai-Bahrain services are scheduled, as is EK857 Dubai-Kuwait.
The airline has separately warned that flights arriving at and departing from UK airports are being affected by the NATS technical issue. Passengers are advised to check their individual flight status before travelling to the airport.
flydubai
FZ029 and FZ027 from Dubai to Bahrain are cancelled, while FZ023 has arrived and FZ021 is scheduled.
FZ063 from Dubai to Kuwait is scheduled to operate.
flydubai is advising passengers departing Dubai to allow at least four hours before departure, complete online check-in where available and check their flight status before leaving for the airport.
Air Arabia
Air Arabia has reported a mixture of scheduled and cancelled services.
G9068 and G9124 from Sharjah to Kuwait are cancelled, while G9121 is scheduled. G9107 from Sharjah to Bahrain is cancelled, while G9101 has arrived and G9103 and G9105 are scheduled.
From Abu Dhabi, 3L015 to Bahrain is scheduled and 3L017 has yet to depart. Service 3L020 to Kuwait is cancelled, while 3L022 is scheduled.
The listed cancellations and delays have different causes, with some connected to the wider regional situation and others resulting from operational or technical factors.
Dubai delays
Dubai International Airport has reported several early-morning delays, including PA211 to Islamabad and FZ1681 to Naples.
Jazeera Airways' J9122 Dubai-Kuwait flight is cancelled, while Qeshm Airlines' QB2205 to Shiraz is delayed.
Air India Express flight IX346 to Kozhikode and SpiceJet services SG5106 to New Delhi and SG5117 to Kochi are delayed. Flysepehran's IS7353 Dubai-Tehran service is cancelled.
Dubai Airports has said its flight-status information reflects a mixture of causes, including the ongoing conflict as well as operational and technical issues.
International airlines
Several international airlines have restored parts of their Middle East networks, but others continue to suspend UAE services.
Turkish Airlines has resumed flights to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, while services to Iran remain suspended.
Qatar Airways is operating multiple daily Dubai flights, with services to Bahrain, Kuwait and Erbil also resumed. Its network has recovered to more than 160 destinations, around 85 percent of its pre-war network, although delays remain possible.
Air India and Air India Express have restored their full Gulf network, together operating about 780 weekly flights between India and the region. IndiGo is operating selected Middle East services while monitoring the situation.
flynas is operating daily services to Dubai, Doha and Bahrain, as well as flights to Germany, Sri Lanka and the Philippines. Jazeera Airways is also operating selected services, including flights to Dubai, although interruptions at Kuwait International Airport could affect operations.
Other carriers remain on extended suspension schedules. Air Canada has suspended Dubai services until mid-January 2027, while Virgin Atlantic's Dubai flights remain suspended until October 2027.
KLM has suspended Dubai services until October 24 and continues to avoid the airspace of Iran, Iraq, Israel and parts of the Arabian Gulf. Air France has suspended Dubai flights through September 10.
British Airways has suspended Dubai and Abu Dhabi services, with Dubai flights scheduled to resume on October 25 at reduced frequency.
Cathay Pacific has cancelled Dubai and Riyadh passenger flights through November 30. Singapore Airlines, ITA Airways, Finnair and AirBaltic have suspended Dubai services until October 24.
Philippine Airlines' Manila-Dubai service remains suspended until October 2, while Korean Air's Incheon-Dubai service is suspended until further notice.
Pegasus has suspended services to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. Lufthansa, Eurowings and SWISS have suspended Dubai services through October 24, although some other Middle East routes are being restored.
Travel advice
The UK has lifted broad "against all but essential travel" warnings covering major regional hubs including the UAE, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait and Qatar, according to the supplied update. Travellers are nevertheless warned that the situation remains unpredictable and flights or airspace arrangements can change quickly.
The US currently places the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Oman at Level 3, "Reconsider Travel", citing risks linked to armed conflict, drone and missile interceptions and major commercial flight disruption. Non-emergency US government staff and their families have been ordered to leave the UAE.
Australia has lowered its advice for the UAE from Level 4, "Do not travel", to Level 3, "Reconsider your need to travel".
Canada continues to advise travellers to exercise a "high degree of caution" in the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar. Travellers are advised to keep documents current and maintain sufficient supplies in case commercial flights are suspended and people are required to shelter in place.
What travellers should know
Passengers should check their individual flight status directly with their airline before leaving for the airport, even where a booking has already been confirmed.
Travellers should generally arrive at least three hours before departure, or earlier if instructed by their airline. Passengers departing Dubai on flydubai are advised to allow at least four hours.
Online check-in should be completed where available, while extra time should be allowed for traffic, check-in, security and immigration.
Passengers should also keep their airline contact details updated so they can receive disruption alerts and remain prepared for last-minute delays, cancellations or schedule changes.
The latest information should be checked through the airline and airport's official websites or apps before travelling, as individual flight timings can change even after a service has been listed as scheduled.