UAE travel: All you need to know about flight suspensions and delays

Flights to Iran, Iraq, Israel remain suspended across several Emirati airlines

UAE travel: All you need to know about flight suspensions and delays
Source: File photo


DUBAI: Travellers flying to and from the UAE this week continue to face widespread flight cancellations, route changes and delays as regional airspace restrictions remain in place, despite a declared ceasefire between Iran and Israel.

Although some airspace over the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries has reopened following Iran’s missile strikes on a US base in Qatar, UAE airlines are proceeding with caution. Several carriers – including Emirates, Etihad Airways, flydubai, and Wizz Air Abu Dhabi – have maintained suspensions on select destinations through the end of June and beyond.

The delays come as regional security tensions persist, with further complications triggered by a US military response targeting Iranian nuclear sites.

UAE airlines

Emirates: Dubai’s flagship airline, Emirates, has suspended all flights to Tehran, Baghdad, and Basra until and including June 30, 2025. The airline has also advised that customers connecting through Dubai to these cities will not be accepted for travel at their point of origin.

However, the airline has confirmed that all other Emirates flights continue to operate using routes "well distanced from conflict areas". Travellers are encouraged to check flight status regularly via the Emirates website.

Etihad Airways: Etihad, the national carrier based in Abu Dhabi, has cancelled its Tel Aviv service through to July 15. Affected guests, particularly those transiting via Abu Dhabi, will not be accepted from their departure cities. The airline is actively working on alternative travel arrangements for those impacted.

Most other flights are reportedly operating as scheduled, although Etihad has advised passengers to verify travel details at the official website.

flydubai: Flydubai has suspended flights to Iran, Iraq, Syria, and St. Petersburg until June 30. Though the airline says most services have resumed, it warns of possible delays due to congested airspace. Affected flights have been rerouted to avoid conflict zones.

Travellers are advised to monitor updates and reach out to customer support prior to departure.

Wizz Air Abu Dhabi: Wizz Air has halted all flights to and from the UAE until June 30, in coordination with its parent company. Additionally, Wizz Air has suspended operations to Tel Aviv and Amman until September 15, and will avoid flying over Iranian, Iraqi, Israeli, and Syrian airspace until further notice.

Passengers with affected bookings can opt for free rebooking, full refunds, or Wizz credit vouchers.

Air Arabia: Sharjah-based low-cost carrier Air Arabia has suspended flights to Iran, Iraq, Russia, Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan until June 30. Flights to and from Jordan are cancelled until June 26.

The airline is not accepting passengers with connections through Sharjah to the affected destinations.

Regional and international carriers

Qatar Airways: Qatar Airways announced the reopening of its airspace late Monday, but warned of flight disruptions through Thursday. The airline has cancelled routes to Iran, Iraq, and Syria’s Damascus International Airport, including flights to Imam Khomeini, Mashhad, Shiraz, Baghdad, Erbil, Basra, Sulaymaniyah, and Najaf.

Passengers travelling through June 30 can request a change of travel dates without fee until July 15, or obtain a full refund for unused tickets.

Gulf Air: Bahrain’s national carrier has suspended flights to Amman, Baghdad, and Najaf until Friday. Passengers are advised to confirm their travel status ahead of time.

Syrian Airlines: Syrian Airlines is temporarily routing all incoming flights through Aleppo International Airport, with special bus services to Damascus International Airport. The Syrian Civil Aviation Authority also announced the reopening of previously closed air corridors on June 25.

United States & Canada

United Airlines has suspended services to Dubai (until July 3) and Tel Aviv (until August 1).

Delta Air Lines said that travel to or via Tel Aviv may be impacted until August 31.

Air Canada has halted flights to Tel Aviv (until September 8) and suspended its direct Toronto-Dubai route until July 3.

United Kingdom

British Airways, which previously cancelled Dubai flights, is now operating routes to Dubai and Abu Dhabi as normal, while Doha flights remain suspended until Wednesday.

Customers booked for travel to Dubai or Doha until June 29 may rebook for free up to July 13.

Continental Europe

Air France has indefinitely suspended flights to Tel Aviv.

KLM has paused Tel Aviv operations until at least July 1.

Swiss International Air Lines has suspended flights to Tel Aviv until October 25 and Beirut until July 31.

Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and Lufthansa have suspended Tel Aviv flights through July 31.

Lufthansa has also halted services to Tehran, while flights to Amman and Erbil are cancelled through July 11, and Beirut until June 30.

Ryanair has extended cancellations to Tel Aviv (until August 31) and Amman (until July 11).

Aegean Airlines is not operating Tel Aviv routes until July 12.

EL AL Israel Airlines, once offering regional routes, has suspended operations amid the latest closures.

Asia Pacific

Singapore Airlines has cancelled flights between Singapore and Dubai until Wednesday, offering full refunds or rebooking options for affected passengers.

Travel tips for UAE passengers

Flight status: Travellers departing from Dubai International (DXB), Al Maktoum International (DWC), Sharjah International (SHJ) or Abu Dhabi International (AUH) are strongly encouraged to check with their airline before heading to the airport.

Although Dubai Airports resumed operations following a temporary precautionary halt on Monday evening, residual delays may persist due to regional airspace congestion.

Passenger support: Most airlines are offering:

  • Flexible rebooking with no change fees
  • Refunds in original form of payment or credit
  • Alternative routes via unaffected destinations

Customers should also note that passengers transiting via UAE airports to affected regions will not be accepted at their departure airport if their final destination falls under the suspended routes.