Flying from UAE airports? Here’s what travellers should check
Iranian carriers suspended as regional aviation uncertainty persists
DUBAI – UAE travellers heading to Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Sharjah airports on Friday and over the weekend are being advised to check their flight status before setting off.
Several delays and cancellations have been reported, while airlines continue to adjust individual services amid renewed regional tensions. Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Zayed International Airport (AUH) remain operational, but flight schedules can change at short notice.
The UAE has also suspended flights operated by Iranian airlines to and from the country from Thursday until further notice. The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) said the decision followed a US ban affecting Iranian airlines' use of airports in various countries.
For passengers with confirmed bookings, the latest situation means that a ticket or previous confirmation should not be treated as a guarantee that timings will remain unchanged. Airlines are continuing to operate services, but individual flights may face delays, cancellations or other operational changes.
Dubai delays
Several departing flights from DXB were reported as delayed on Friday morning.
The affected services included SpiceJet SG5158 from Dubai to Jaipur, Belavia B2718 from Dubai to Minsk, SpiceJet SG5023 from Dubai to Mumbai, SpiceJet SG5016 from Dubai to New Delhi, SpiceJet SG5153 from Dubai to Kozhikode and SpiceJet SG5117 from Dubai to Kochi.
DXB continues to handle international flights, but passengers are being advised to check the status of their individual service before leaving for the airport.
The latest disruption is not solely linked to regional security developments. Airlines have also reported technical and operational issues affecting individual flights, meaning passengers should check the specific reason for any delay or cancellation rather than assuming all changes are connected to the wider situation.
Abu Dhabi changes
Multiple delays were also reported at Zayed International Airport.
Etihad Airways said most of its services were scheduled to operate normally, although some flights were delayed. These included EY647 to Bahrain, EY653 to Kuwait and EY551 to Riyadh.
Etihad's EY583 service from Abu Dhabi to Beirut on September 24 was delayed because of a technical issue, with the return EY584 also affected.
Travellers flying from AUH should therefore monitor their specific booking rather than relying solely on the general status of the airport or airline network.
Airline updates
Emirates: Services to Bahrain and Kuwait were operating as usual, although some early-morning flights experienced minor delays. Cancellations listed for Friday included EK330 to Manila, EK943 to Baghdad, EK404 to Melbourne, EK606 to Karachi and EK390 to Phuket.
Passengers travelling with Emirates are advised to check the airline's official channels before leaving for DXB because schedules can change.
Etihad Airways: EY647 to Bahrain and EY653 to Kuwait were slightly delayed, while EY551 to Riyadh also reported a delay. The Abu Dhabi-Beirut EY583 service was affected by a technical issue, with EY584 also impacted. Etihad said its other services were scheduled to operate normally.
flydubai: No major delays or cancellations were listed in the information available for Friday. The airline advises passengers departing Dubai to allow at least four hours before departure, complete online check-in where available and check their flight status before travelling to the airport.
Air Arabia: Several services were affected. Cancellations included G9068 and G9124 from Sharjah to Kuwait, G9107 from Sharjah to Bahrain and 3L020 from Abu Dhabi to Kuwait.
G9121 from Sharjah to Kuwait was operational but had not departed at the time of the update. G9101 from Sharjah to Bahrain had arrived, while G9103 and G9105 were scheduled to operate.
Iranian services
The suspension of Iranian airline flights adds another change for passengers travelling between the UAE and Iran.
The GCAA said flights operated by Iranian airlines to and from the UAE were suspended from September 24 until further notice. The regulator said the move followed the US ban on Iranian airlines using airports in various countries.
Passengers affected by the suspension should contact their airline directly for information on their booking, alternative arrangements and any further schedule changes.
Travel warnings
International travel advice also continues to highlight the possibility of disruption.
The US State Department currently lists the UAE at Level 3 – Reconsider Travel, citing terrorism and armed conflict. Its September 17 update says the regional conflict has caused significant disruption to commercial flights.
The latest regional situation also continues to affect aviation planning, with the possibility of airspace changes adding uncertainty to some routes. Travellers should therefore monitor both airline and airport notifications, particularly when travelling on routes close to areas affected by the regional tensions.
Returning routes
At the same time, several international airlines have scheduled the resumption of UAE services over the coming weeks.
Air Astana is due to resume Almaty and Astana-Dubai services from October 1 and 2, while Philippine Airlines is scheduled to restart nonstop Manila-Dubai services on October 2.
Wizz Air services to Dubai are due to resume on October 24 and 25, with Abu Dhabi services expected around late October. Lufthansa is scheduled to restart Dubai-Frankfurt and Dubai-Munich services on October 25.
Singapore Airlines has scheduled SQ494 and SQ495 to resume Dubai operations on October 24, while SWISS is due to restart Dubai-Zurich services on October 27.
Eurowings is scheduled to resume Dubai flights from Berlin and Stuttgart on November 1, followed by Cologne/Bonn on November 3.
British Airways is due to resume Dubai services on November 3, while its Abu Dhabi services remain suspended until winter 2027–28. Austrian Airlines is scheduled to restart Dubai-Vienna services on December 12.
These are planned resumption dates rather than guarantees of individual flight operations. The schedules remain subject to operational and regional conditions.
What travelers should do
Passengers flying from the UAE today or over the weekend should check their specific flight status immediately before leaving home, even if they have already received a booking confirmation.
Travellers should allow at least three hours before departure, or longer if instructed by their airline. Those flying with flydubai from Dubai should allow at least four hours, in line with the carrier's guidance.
Online check-in should be completed where available, while additional time should be allowed for road traffic, check-in, security and immigration.
Travellers should also ensure their phone number and email address are updated with the airline so that disruption alerts can be received promptly.
Most importantly, passengers should check the airline's official flight information as well as the relevant airport's channels before setting off. A flight showing as scheduled earlier in the day can still be subject to a later delay, cancellation or diversion as operational and regional conditions develop.