Flying from UAE this weekend? Check latest Emirates, Etihad, Air Arabia flight changes
Some international airlines resume services while others remain suspended
DUBAI – Travellers flying to or from the UAE this weekend are facing a mixed flight picture, with delays and cancellations reported at Dubai International Airport and Zayed International Airport as airlines continue adjusting schedules.
Emirates services to Bahrain and Kuwait were scheduled to operate, while Etihad Airways said its Bahrain and Kuwait services were mostly operating normally. Air Arabia and flydubai, however, reported cancellations on several regional routes.
The wider regional crisis continues to create uncertainty for airlines, although not every disruption is linked to the security situation. Technical, operational and weather-related issues are also affecting individual services.
Passengers are advised to check their flight status shortly before leaving for the airport, even if their booking was previously confirmed.
Regional tensions
The security situation remains volatile across the Middle East, with developments continuing to affect airspace and transport operations.
Saudi Arabia has shut its East-West oil pipeline as a precaution after strikes hit sections of the line in the Riyadh and Madinah regions, injuring several people.
Iran-backed Houthi forces have claimed control of Yemen's entire Red Sea coastline, raising concerns around the Bab el-Mandeb strait, Saudi oil exports and international shipping.
Iran has also announced plans to meet Gulf states in Oman on Monday to discuss the Strait of Hormuz, which remains blockaded amid the wider conflict.
The US Mission to the UAE has separately urged American citizens to exercise increased caution around locations associated with Jewish and Israeli communities, including places of worship.
Etihad Airways
Etihad's services between Abu Dhabi and Bahrain and Kuwait were mostly operating normally.
EY647 to Bahrain arrived late, while EY641 arrived and EY643 and EY645 were scheduled. EY653 from Abu Dhabi to Kuwait also arrived late.
Some longer-haul services were affected by other operational issues. EY013 from Abu Dhabi to Atlanta diverted to Charlotte because of adverse weather at the destination, with its return EY014 also delayed.
EY888 from Abu Dhabi to Beijing was delayed for operational reasons, while EY857 from Abu Dhabi to Sochi diverted to Trabzon following the closure of Sochi airport.
Etihad has advised passengers to check the status of their individual flight before travelling.
Emirates
Dubai-Bahrain flight EK837 arrived, while EK839 was scheduled to operate. EK857 from Dubai to Kuwait was also scheduled.
Emirates passengers have been advised to check the airline's official channels for the latest flight information before heading to the airport.
flydubai
flydubai cancelled FZ021 from Dubai to Bahrain and FZ817 from Dubai to Yanbu.
FZ025 to Bahrain was scheduled, while FZ023 had arrived.
Passengers departing Dubai have been advised to arrive at least four hours before departure, complete online check-in where available and check their flight status before travelling.
Air Arabia
Air Arabia reported several cancellations from Sharjah and Abu Dhabi.
G9068 and G9124 from Sharjah to Kuwait were cancelled, while G9121 had not yet departed. G9107 from Sharjah to Bahrain was also cancelled.
G9101 from Sharjah to Bahrain arrived late, while G9103 and G9105 were scheduled to operate.
Flight 3L020 from Abu Dhabi to Kuwait was also listed among the cancellations.
Dubai delays
Dubai Airports' flight-status data showed delays affecting a number of other departures.
These included flydubai FZ641 to Addis Ababa, Emirates EK378 to Phuket, EK017 to Manchester and EK312 to Tokyo Haneda.
Other delayed flights included flydubai FZ1449 to Salzburg, Air India Express IX748 to Kannur, SpiceJet SG5153 to Kozhikode, Aeroflot SU521 to Sheremetyevo, SpiceJet SG5158 to Jaipur, SG5117 to Kochi and SG5106 to New Delhi.
The operating status of individual flights can change during the day, so passengers should rely on the latest airline or airport information rather than an earlier listing.
International airlines
International carriers continue to take different approaches to UAE services.
Turkish Airlines has resumed Dubai and Abu Dhabi flights, although services to Iran remain suspended and further cancellations are possible.
Qatar Airways is operating multiple daily Dubai flights and has resumed services to Bahrain, Kuwait and Erbil. Its network has recovered to more than 160 destinations, around 85 per cent of its pre-war network.
Air India and Air India Express have restored their full GCC networks, together operating around 780 weekly flights between India and the region. IndiGo is operating selected Middle East services.
flynas is operating daily flights to Dubai, Doha and Bahrain, while Jazeera Airways is operating selected services, including flights to Dubai.
Several major airlines, however, continue to suspend UAE routes.
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, Riyadh and Dammam services until October 24 and continues to avoid the airspace of Iran, Iraq, Israel and parts of the Arabian Gulf.
Air France has suspended flights to and from Dubai until September 15. Its Beirut services remain suspended through September 24.
British Airways continues to suspend 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.
Korean Air's Incheon-Dubai route remains suspended until further notice, while Pegasus continues to suspend Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah services.
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 and Abu Dhabi, Kuwait and Qatar, according to the supplied information. Travellers have nevertheless been warned that the situation remains unpredictable.
The US continues to classify the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Oman as Level 3 – Reconsider Travel, citing risks associated with armed conflict, drone and missile interceptions and major commercial flight disruption.
Australia has lowered its UAE travel advice 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.
What travelers should do
Passengers travelling through UAE airports this weekend should:
- Check their individual flight status before leaving for the airport.
- Arrive at least three hours before departure, unless the airline advises otherwise.
- Allow at least four hours when departing Dubai on flydubai.
- Complete online check-in where available.
- Allow additional time for traffic, check-in, security and immigration.
- Keep airline contact details updated for disruption alerts.
- Be prepared for last-minute delays, cancellations and schedule changes.
- Follow official airline and airport channels for the latest information.