UAE flights update: Emirates, Etihad, flydubai and Air Arabia cancel more services as Europe extends Gulf airspace warning
Passengers urged to check flight status before heading to the airport
DUBAI – Travellers flying to and from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are being urged to monitor their flight status closely after several airlines announced cancellations and schedule changes on regional routes, while Europe's aviation safety regulator extended its warning covering Gulf airspace until the end of August.
Although airports across the UAE continue to operate normally, airlines have advised passengers to check official updates before travelling, as operational adjustments remain in place because of the evolving regional security situation. Airport authorities are also encouraging passengers to arrive well ahead of departure amid longer processing times during the busy summer travel period.
Europe flights
The latest developments come after the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) extended its Conflict Zone Information Bulletin covering the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and parts of the Gulf of Oman, while issuing a separate warning for Jordanian airspace.
EASA confirmed that its advisory, revised on July 22, will remain valid until August 31, saying there were no changes to the existing recommendations.
The bulletin applies to European airlines and third-country carriers authorised by EASA operating services to, from and within the European Union. It covers the airspace over the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and parts of the Gulf of Oman west of longitude 58°E.
The regulator also issued a separate Conflict Zone Information Bulletin advising airlines to avoid Jordanian airspace until August 31 following increased missile and drone activity.
According to EASA, the Gulf security situation remains volatile despite a memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran aimed at extending a temporary ceasefire. The agency said repeated violations, continued military activity, attacks on commercial vessels and tensions around the Strait of Hormuz continue to present elevated risks for civil aviation.
Among the potential threats identified by EASA are missile and drone attacks, air-defence interception activity, falling debris and military aircraft operations. It also warned that military activity could develop with little warning, leaving airlines limited time to reroute aircraft safely.
Despite the advisory, EASA stressed that the bulletin serves as operational guidance for airlines carrying out risk assessments and does not mean commercial flights have stopped operating.
The security concerns have also prompted the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia to issue travel advisories for citizens travelling across the Middle East, warning of possible airspace restrictions, flight disruptions and rapidly changing security conditions.
Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways has cancelled several services between Abu Dhabi and regional destinations over the coming days.
Flights between Abu Dhabi and Bahrain have been cancelled from July 23 to July 25.
The airline has also suspended the following Kuwait services until July 26:
- EY653 from Abu Dhabi to Kuwait
- EY654 from Kuwait to Abu Dhabi
Passengers affected by the cancellations have been advised to update their contact details through Etihad so they can receive the latest notifications by SMS and email.
Emirates
Emirates has also extended cancellations on several services linking Dubai with Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan.
For July 25 and July 26, the following Kuwait services have been cancelled:
Dubai to Kuwait
- EK853
- EK855
- EK857
- EK859
Kuwait to Dubai
- EK854
- EK856
- EK858
- EK860
Several Bahrain services are also affected.
For July 25, Emirates cancelled:
Dubai to Bahrain
- EK835
- EK837
- EK839
Bahrain to Dubai
- EK836
- EK838
- EK840
For July 26, additional Bahrain schedule changes remain in effect.
On the Jordan route, Emirates confirmed that on July 25, flight EK903 from Dubai to Amman is scheduled to operate, while EK905 has been cancelled. From Amman, EK904 remains scheduled and EK906 has already arrived.
For July 26, EK904 from Amman to Dubai remains scheduled, while EK906 has been cancelled.
The airline has urged passengers to verify their booking status before travelling and to arrive at Dubai International Airport at least three hours before departure.
flydubai
flydubai has also revised schedules on selected regional routes.
Its Dubai-Kuwait service scheduled for July 25 remains operational.
On the Dubai-Bahrain route, flight FZ029 has been cancelled, while FZ021 and FZ027 remain scheduled and FZ023 is operating with an estimated departure time. Services from Bahrain to Dubai are continuing as scheduled.
The carrier advised customers to monitor the latest flight information before leaving for the airport as operational conditions may change at short notice.
Separately, flydubai announced that because of planned maintenance at Naples International Airport, its daily Dubai service will temporarily operate through Salerno Costa d'Amalfi Airport between November 1 and November 30, 2026. Flights are already available for booking.
The airline also reminded passengers travelling during the summer holiday period to expect busier airports and allow additional time for check-in, security screening and boarding procedures.
Air Arabia
Air Arabia has announced cancellations affecting services from both Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.
For July 25 and July 26, the following Air Arabia Abu Dhabi flights have been cancelled:
Abu Dhabi-Kuwait
- 3L020
- 3L022
Kuwait-Abu Dhabi
- 3L021
- 3L023
From Sharjah, several Kuwait services have also been cancelled.
Sharjah-Kuwait
- G9068
- G9124
Kuwait-Sharjah
- G9069
- G9125
Other flights, including G9121, G9122 and selected services, remain pending departure.
On July 25, several Bahrain-Sharjah services were also cancelled, including G9108, G9106, G9107 and G9105, while other scheduled flights had not yet departed at the time of the latest update.
Passengers have been advised to continue checking Air Arabia's official flight status service before travelling.
Dubai Airports
Dubai International Airport has issued additional guidance for passengers travelling during the current period of operational adjustments and heavy summer traffic.
Travellers are advised to arrive at least three hours before departure, expect longer security and immigration processing times, and ensure they reach their boarding gate at least 60 minutes before departure.
Passengers are also encouraged to allow extra travel time to the airport because of possible road congestion. Dubai Airports has recommended using the Dubai Metro when travelling to Emirates Terminal 3 where possible.
To make the airport experience smoother, travellers are advised to complete online check-in, use airline mobile applications, take advantage of early baggage drop facilities and use self-service kiosks where available.
Global advisories
Several governments continue to maintain travel advisories for the region.
The US Department of State has advised travellers to prepare for possible flight cancellations, airspace closures and travel disruptions, while encouraging passengers to check directly with airlines.
The UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office says the regional security situation remains unpredictable and advises travellers to monitor official updates and review travel plans regularly.
Canada continues to advise against non-essential travel to the UAE because renewed missile or drone activity could affect aviation operations.
Australia has urged citizens in the region to consider leaving while commercial flights remain available, where it is safe to do so.
For passengers, airlines continue to stress one key message: confirm flight status before leaving for the airport, remain in contact with the carrier for the latest notifications, and be prepared for schedule changes as airlines continue to adjust operations in response to evolving regional conditions.