Flying to Dubai? These airlines are staying away until 2027
Other carriers are preparing to restart flights later this year
DUBAI – The Dubai International Airport is welcoming flights from airlines across the world, but not every carrier is ready to bring its services back.
While several international airlines are preparing to resume Dubai operations in the coming months, two major carriers have confirmed that their return will have to wait until 2027. The delays come after months of disruption to aviation across the Middle East. Although flight operations at Dubai International Airport have continued, some foreign airlines remain cautious about restoring services amid concerns surrounding regional airspace, operating conditions and insurance.
Dubai Airports chief executive Paul Griffiths has previously said that several foreign-based airlines have struggled to secure insurance that would allow them to return to the region.
For travellers, however, Dubai remains extensively connected. Emirates and flydubai continue to operate their global networks, while flynas, Qatar Airways, Saudia and Gulf Air have resumed services to DXB. IndiGo, Air India and Turkish Airlines are also continuing to operate Dubai routes.
Here are the two major airlines whose Dubai return has now moved into 2027.
Air Canada
Air Canada has extended the suspension of its Dubai flights until mid-January 2027, making it one of the latest major carriers to push its return to next year.
The Canadian flag carrier had previously been expected to resume its Dubai route in October as part of its winter schedule. Its latest travel update has now moved that date to mid-January.
The airline has also extended the suspension of its flights to and from Tel Aviv until the same period. Air Canada said its services to Dubai International Airport and Tel Aviv remain suspended because of the situation in the Middle East.
The latest extension was announced on August 4 as disruption continued to affect air travel across the region.
For passengers holding affected bookings, Air Canada has introduced flexible options. Travellers can rebook for a later date without an additional fee, change their booking to another destination without an additional charge, or cancel and receive credit towards a future Air Canada trip.
The airline expects to resume its Dubai and Tel Aviv services around mid-January, although travellers should continue to check the latest schedule before making arrangements.
Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic is also keeping its Dubai service on hold until 2027.
The British airline normally operates a seasonal route between London Heathrow and Dubai, connecting two major international aviation hubs. The service was suspended earlier this year during the wider disruption affecting flights across the Middle East.
According to the latest information from Virgin Atlantic, its daily Dubai service is scheduled to return for the 2027 winter season.
That means passengers waiting for the airline's direct London Heathrow-Dubai flights will have to use alternative options for the remainder of 2026.
Virgin Atlantic has highlighted year-round connections available through its codeshare partners, including China Eastern, IndiGo and Kenya Airways.
The airline's joint venture partners Air France and KLM are expected to resume their Dubai flights later this year, providing additional options for passengers travelling between the UK and the UAE.
Others airlines to watch
Meanwhile, several other international carriers have suspended services for shorter periods and are currently targeting dates later in 2026.
KLM has paused flights to and from Dubai, Dammam and Riyadh until October 24. The airline is also avoiding Iranian and Iraqi airspace and has adjusted or cancelled services involving several destinations across the region.
Singapore Airlines has cancelled Dubai flights SQ494 and SQ495 until October 24. Its low-cost subsidiary Scoot has suspended Singapore-Jeddah services until September 12.
Air Astana has suspended flights from Almaty and Astana to Dubai until August 31, citing a deterioration in the situation around the Strait of Hormuz and the wider Gulf region.
Cathay Pacific expects to resume Dubai services on October 25, with Riyadh flights expected to restart on October 26. Eligible passengers can make changes to certain existing bookings, with travel permitted until March 31, 2027, subject to availability.
British Airways has suspended flights to Dubai, Tel Aviv, Bahrain and Amman until October 25. Services to Doha and Riyadh have also been reduced, while flights to Jeddah have been permanently suspended.
More suspensions
Lufthansa Group is also working towards an October return for several Dubai services. Lufthansa, SWISS and Eurowings will continue to suspend Dubai flights through October 24.
Other Lufthansa Group airlines, including Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Lufthansa, SWISS and Edelweiss, have also suspended services to several Middle Eastern destinations through October 24.
Philippine Airlines has resumed Manila-Doha flights, but Dubai services remain suspended until October 2. The carrier said it is monitoring developments and plans to restore capacity as conditions allow.
ITA Airways has extended its Dubai suspension until October 24, while its Riyadh service remains suspended until September 15. Eligible passengers can request rebooking or a refund.
United Airlines continues to report disruption affecting Dubai and Tel Aviv services, with options for eligible passengers affected by cancellations through September 7.
American Airlines has also updated travel alerts covering parts of the Middle East, including Tel Aviv and Doha. Eligible passengers may make a one-time change without a fee or cancel and request a refund, subject to ticket conditions.