Widespread flight cancellations and severe schedule adjustments hit Gulf carriers, triggered by escalating regional security tensions in the Middle East and sudden labor action at Israel’s primary international gateway.
Abu Dhabi:Etihad Airways, Emirates, Air Arabia, and flydubai reported cancellations and delays across key regional and international routes. Disruption mounted as international airlines extended flight suspensions into the Gulf, citing security concerns tied to US-Iran tensions and maritime unrest around the Strait of Hormuz.
Etihad Flight Disrupted by Ben Gurion Strike
Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways confirmed the cancellation of flight EY608 from Tel Aviv to Abu Dhabi due to unplanned industrial action at Ben Gurion International Airport. Ground handlers and staff strikes in Tel Aviv also forced delays on Etihad’s EY597 and EY598 services, while flight EY594 operated with restricted passenger capacity.
Etihad also maintained route cancellations between Abu Dhabi and Bahrain on services EY641, EY642, EY645, EY646, EY647, and EY648, alongside operational delays on its Peshawar route.
Emirates and Air Arabia Halts Bahrain and Kuwait Routes
Dubai flagship carrier Emirates cancelled multiple services to Bahrain, including flights EK835 and EK837, while placing several Kuwait-bound flights under review.
Air Arabia reported additional route suspensions linking the United Arab Emirates with Kuwait and Bahrain. Affected services include Abu Dhabi to Kuwait (3L020) and Sharjah connections to Kuwait (G9068, G9124) and Bahrain (G9107).
While flydubai maintained regular operations to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Kuwait, it confirmed targeted cancellations to destinations including Erbil (FZ771), Male (FZ1569), Entebbe (FZ619), Doha (FZ003), Asmara (FZ8499), and Hargeisa (FZ661).
International Carriers Extend Gulf Suspensions
Major global airlines continue to avoid regional airspace:
- Lufthansa Group: Suspended services to Dubai for Lufthansa and Swiss until mid-September, while flights across Abu Dhabi, Amman, Beirut, Dammam, Riyadh, Erbil, Muscat, and Tehran remain on hold through October 24.
- British Airways: Extended suspensions covering Dubai, Tel Aviv, Bahrain, and Amman until late October.
- Air Canada: Suspended Dubai services with no resumption scheduled before early 2027.
- KLM: Paused routes serving Dubai, Riyadh, and Dammam through early September, actively routing aircraft around Iranian, Iraqi, and Israeli airspace.
Airport Authorities Issue Travel Advisories
The flight changes coincide with a surge in passenger volumes across United Arab Emirates travel hubs as the post-summer travel period peaks. Dubai’s General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) deployed extra staff and boosted processing capabilities across airport checkpoints to handle returning residents and visitors.
Travelers are urged to verify flight statuses directly with airlines before departing for airports and to allow at least three to four hours for check-in and security procedures.
