Dubai : Air travel to and from the United Arab Emirates is facing fresh disruption, with cancellations, delays and diversions reported across several airlines as tensions between the United States and Iran escalate.

Passengers flying with Emirates, Etihad Airways, flydubai and Air Arabia have been advised to check their individual flight status before leaving for the airport because schedules can change at short notice.

The latest disruption follows US strikes on Iranian military targets on September 1 and subsequent Iranian missile and drone attacks targeting American interests in Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan. The heightened security situation has placed additional pressure on airlines operating through the Gulf.

Etihad flights face delays and diversion

Etihad Airways has reported several changes to its schedule.

Flight EY239 from Bengaluru to Abu Dhabi was delayed because of a technical issue, while EY446 from Abu Dhabi to Manila was diverted because of an airport closure. Its return flight, EY447 from Manila to Abu Dhabi, was expected to face delays.

Flight EY083 from Abu Dhabi to Rome was also delayed for operational reasons.

At the same time, Etihad services EY641 and EY645 from Abu Dhabi to Bahrain and EY653 from Abu Dhabi to Kuwait were listed as operating.

The developments are particularly important for Indian travellers, as Bengaluru, Delhi, Chennai, Kochi and other Indian cities have extensive air links with the UAE.

Emirates cancels Basra service

Emirates also reported a mixed operating picture.

Flight EK945 from Dubai to Basra was cancelled, while EK087 from Dubai to Zurich and EK029 from Dubai to London Heathrow were delayed.

However, Emirates flights EK837 and EK839 from Dubai to Bahrain and EK857 from Dubai to Kuwait were listed as operating.

The airline has urged passengers to check its official channels for the latest information before travelling to the airport.

Air Arabia cancels Kuwait and Bahrain flights

Air Arabia has also listed cancellations affecting key Gulf routes.

The affected services include:

  • G9068: Sharjah–Kuwait
  • G9124: Sharjah–Kuwait
  • G9107: Sharjah–Bahrain
  • 3L020: Abu Dhabi–Kuwait

Other flights from Dubai have also experienced disruption.

The cancellations highlight the continuing sensitivity of short-haul Gulf routes to changes in regional airspace and security conditions.

Indian routes also affected

The disruption is being felt on routes connecting the UAE with India.

Several flights from Dubai have been listed as delayed, including services to Mumbai, Amritsar, Jaipur, Kozhikode, Kochi and New Delhi.

A Dubai–Pune service was cancelled, while a Dubai–Jeddah service was also listed as cancelled.

For Indian expatriates and passengers travelling between the UAE and India, the situation means that even flights previously shown as confirmed may be subject to last-minute changes.

flydubai asks passengers to arrive early

flydubai has advised passengers departing from Dubai to allow at least four hours before their scheduled departure.

Travellers have also been asked to complete online check-in wherever available and verify their flight status before heading to Dubai International Airport.

The additional time is intended to allow passengers to manage possible delays at check-in, security, immigration and airport access points.

International airlines remain cautious

The disruption is not limited to UAE-based carriers.

Several international airlines are gradually restoring services to the UAE, while others continue to operate reduced schedules or keep routes suspended.

Turkish Airlines has resumed services to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, although flights to Iran remain suspended. Air France has also resumed Dubai and Riyadh services, while flights to Beirut remain suspended until September 13.

Qatar Airways is operating multiple daily flights to Dubai, with services to Bahrain, Kuwait and Erbil also resumed, although delays remain possible.

Air India and Air India Express have restored their full Gulf Cooperation Council networks, with around 780 weekly flights between India and the region, although regional airspace restrictions could still affect individual services. IndiGo is also operating selected Middle East services while monitoring the situation.

Several UAE routes remain suspended

A number of international carriers continue to keep UAE services suspended.

Air Canada has suspended its Dubai service until mid-January 2027, while British Airways has suspended Dubai and Abu Dhabi services, with a reduced Dubai schedule planned to resume on October 25.

Singapore Airlines, ITA Airways, Finnair and AirBaltic have also extended Dubai suspensions into October. Korean Air’s Incheon-Dubai service remains suspended until further notice.

Lufthansa, Eurowings and SWISS have suspended Dubai services through October 24, with Eurowings planning to resume some services later.

Regional airspace remains a key concern

The renewed US-Iran confrontation is creating uncertainty for airlines because carriers must continually assess airspace safety, airport operations and possible changes to flight routes.

The situation has also affected the wider Gulf region, with Iran launching missile and drone attacks against US-linked targets in Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan following US strikes on Iranian military facilities.

For airlines, even when airports remain open, changes in airspace restrictions can require aircraft to take longer routes, divert to alternative airports or cancel services altogether.

Passengers advised to check before travelling

Airlines are urging passengers not to rely solely on earlier booking confirmations.

Travellers flying from the UAE have been advised to:

  • Check their individual flight status before leaving home.
  • Arrive at least three hours before departure, or earlier if advised.
  • Allow four hours when departing Dubai on flydubai.
  • Complete online check-in where available.
  • Allow additional time for traffic, security, check-in and immigration.
  • Keep contact details updated with the airline.
  • Follow official airline and airport channels for last-minute announcements.

Flight schedules could change at short notice

The current situation remains fluid, and airlines are continuing to assess operations as regional security developments unfold.

For passengers, the most important message is to verify the status of their specific flight immediately before travelling rather than assuming that a previously confirmed booking will operate as scheduled.

With Gulf aviation closely connected to India, Europe and destinations across the Middle East, prolonged disruption could affect thousands of travellers and place further pressure on regional air connectivity.

For now, airlines continue to operate selected services while cancelling or adjusting others, leaving passengers facing an uncertain travel environment as tensions in the region remain high.