Air travel to and from the UAE remains volatile after recent regional escalation on September 1. The renewed conflict has forced airlines into a patchwork of cancellations, delays and partial resumptions across the region, leaving passengers to navigate a fast-changing schedule.
Lufthansa Group Announces Dubai Flight Suspension Until October 24
Lufthansa Group confirmed on September 1 that it is extending its suspension of Dubai and Abu Dhabi flights through October 24, even as it begins restoring some Middle East routes elsewhere. Frankfurt–Riyadh service resumes September 10, and Frankfurt–Amman flights return October 25. Eurowings, part of the group, plans to bring back Dubai flights from November 1, making it the first of Lufthansa’s affected carriers, alongside SWISS, expected to return to the route. Other regional connections, including Beirut, Dammam and Muscat, remain suspended through October 24, with Erbil and Tehran off until October 31.
UAE Carriers Manage A Mixed Picture
Closer to home, UAE-based airlines are dealing with a patchwork of delays and cancellations rather than blanket suspensions. Etihad Airways reported delays on flights to Bengaluru and Rome and a diversion of its Abu Dhabi–Manila service due to an airport closure, while continuing to operate routes to Bahrain and Kuwait. Emirates cancelled its Dubai–Basra flight and delayed services to Zurich and London Heathrow, though its Bahrain and Kuwait flights continued as scheduled. flydubai is urging passengers to arrive four hours early and complete online check-in, while Air Arabia listed cancellations on its Sharjah–Kuwait, Sharjah–Bahrain and Abu Dhabi–Kuwait routes.
Also Read: From Sharjah Traffic Diversions To Finnair’s Dubai Flight Suspension, 5 GCC Updates
International Carriers: Some Return, Others Stay Grounded
A number of international airlines are gradually restoring services. Turkish Airlines, Air France and Qatar Airways have resumed Dubai flights, with Qatar Airways saying its network has recovered to roughly 85 percent of pre-escalation levels across more than 160 destinations. Air India, Air India Express and flynas have also restored regular GCC services.
Others, however, remain grounded well into the autumn. British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, ITA Airways, Finnair and Virgin Atlantic are among the carriers keeping Dubai or Abu Dhabi services suspended into October, while Air Canada’s Dubai suspension stretches into mid-January 2027.
Cover Image Courtesy: Lufthanasa/X
FAQs
Which international airlines have resumed flights to Dubai?
Turkish Airlines, Air France and Qatar Airways have resumed Dubai services, with Qatar Airways reporting its network has recovered to about 85 percent of pre-war capacity. Air India, Air India Express and flynas have also restored regular GCC routes.
What should passengers do before flying from the UAE right now?
Check your flight status directly with the airline before leaving home, arrive at least three hours early (four hours for flydubai), complete online check-in where possible, and keep your contact details updated to receive disruption alerts.
