UAE flights: What Emirates, Etihad, flydubai and Air Arabia passengers need to know
Several routes are operating normally while others remain suspended
DUBAI – Travellers flying to or from the UAE are facing a mixed operational picture on Thursday, with some flights operating normally while delays and cancellations continue to affect selected services.
Emirates, Etihad Airways, flydubai and Air Arabia are operating a number of regional routes, although some services remain cancelled or suspended.
Flight schedules can change at short notice, making it important for passengers to check their individual booking and flight number directly with the operating airline before leaving for the airport.
The situation comes amid continued regional tensions, with disruption to airspace and higher fuel costs adding uncertainty to some international and regional services. While there have been reports of possible diplomatic contacts, no final agreement or ceasefire has been announced.
Dubai flights
Dubai International Airport has reported a number of disruptions among individual services.
Emirates flight EK636 from Dubai to Peshawar was cancelled, while EK797 from Dubai to Conakry was delayed. Al Jazeera flights J9122 and J9124 from Dubai to Kuwait were also cancelled, along with Syrian Air flight RB518 from Dubai to Damascus.
Passengers travelling through Dubai International Airport should check the latest status of their flight before setting out, even if their booking has already been confirmed.
Abu Dhabi flights
Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi had not published any major delays or cancellations in the supplied morning update.
However, passengers should still verify their individual flight status with their airline before travelling to the airport, as schedules can change during the day.
Etihad Airways services between Abu Dhabi and Bahrain and Kuwait were largely operating normally in the supplied update. Flights EY647 and EY641 to Bahrain had arrived or departed, while EY645 was scheduled. Abu Dhabi-Kuwait service EY653 had also departed.
Etihad continues to advise passengers to check their individual flight status before travelling.
Emirates
Emirates services included flight EK837 from Dubai to Bahrain, which had arrived, while EK839 was scheduled. Dubai-Kuwait flight EK857 was also scheduled in the supplied update.
Passengers should use Emirates' official channels to verify their flight status and any changes before leaving for Dubai International Airport.
flydubai
flydubai passengers face some cancellations alongside operating Bahrain services.
Flights FZ029 and FZ023 to Bahrain had arrived, while FZ021, FZ027 and FZ063 were scheduled. However, flights FZ817 from Dubai to Yanbu and FZ815 from Dubai to Abha were cancelled.
Travellers departing Dubai on flydubai are advised to allow at least four hours before departure. Passengers should complete online check-in where available and check their flight status before travelling to the airport.
Air Arabia
Air Arabia has also reported changes affecting several Gulf services.
Sharjah-Kuwait flights G9068 and G9124 were cancelled, while G9121 had not yet departed. Sharjah-Bahrain flight G9107 was cancelled, while G9103 and G9105 were scheduled.
Air Arabia service 3L020 from Abu Dhabi to Kuwait was also cancelled.
Passengers travelling from Sharjah or Abu Dhabi should check the latest information directly with Air Arabia before setting off.
Routes suspended
Alongside individual delays and cancellations, several international airlines continue to suspend UAE services.
Air Canada has suspended its Dubai service until mid-January 2027, while Air France has suspended Dubai flights through September 19. British Airways' Dubai and Abu Dhabi services remain suspended, with its Dubai operation due to resume on October 25 at a reduced frequency.
Cathay Pacific has suspended Dubai and Riyadh services through November 30. Singapore Airlines, ITA Airways, Finnair and AirBaltic have suspended Dubai services through October 24.
Philippine Airlines' Manila-Dubai service is suspended through October 2, while Korean Air's Incheon-Dubai route remains suspended until further notice.
Pegasus services to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah are suspended, while Virgin Atlantic's London-Dubai service remains suspended for the foreseeable future.
Lufthansa, Eurowings and SWISS have suspended Dubai services through October 24. Eurowings plans to resume Dubai flights from November 1.
Flying to UAE
Some international carriers are operating or restoring services to the UAE.
Turkish Airlines has resumed Dubai and Abu Dhabi services, although its Iran flights remain suspended. Qatar Airways is operating multiple daily Dubai flights, while services to Bahrain, Kuwait and Erbil have resumed.
Air India and Air India Express have restored their full GCC networks, with around 780 weekly flights between India and the region. IndiGo is operating selected Middle East services, while flynas has daily services to Dubai, Doha and Bahrain. Jazeera Airways is also operating selected Dubai services.
Before you fly
Passengers should take several precautions while schedules remain subject to change:
- Check the status of your individual flight before leaving home, even if your booking is confirmed.
- Follow the airline's official website, app or other verified channels for last-minute changes.
- Allow at least three hours at the airport unless your airline advises otherwise.
- If travelling from Dubai on flydubai, allow at least four hours.
- Complete online check-in where available.
- Make sure your mobile number and contact details are up to date with the airline.
- Do not rely solely on a previous flight schedule, as delays, cancellations and timing changes can be announced at short notice.