UAE Flights Status: Emirates, Etihad, flydubai and Air Arabia Delays and Cancellations

Check your UAE flights status before you leave home: delays are hitting Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and Saudi routes remain badly disrupted.

UAE flights status: what travellers need to know this weekend

Saudi Arabia is the biggest source of disruption for UAE-based passengers. Some carriers have suspended services to Riyadh and Dammam. Others run reduced or adjusted schedules.

International airlines are gradually restoring some Dubai services for the winter season. Several major carriers, however, have extended suspensions into 2027. Regional security concerns, airspace restrictions and last-minute schedule changes all remain in play.

Why does Saudi Arabia dominate UAE flights status updates?

Airlines are applying different schedules and cancellation arrangements to Saudi destinations. Passengers heading to Riyadh, Dammam and other Saudi cities should read their bookings carefully. Do not assume that one airline's policy matches another's.

The UAE flights status for Saudi routes varies sharply by carrier. The sections below break down each airline's position.

Etihad Airways: Abu Dhabi to Riyadh and Dammam cancelled

Etihad has cancelled all passenger and cargo flights on two Saudi routes through November 19. Jeddah services are returning in stages.

Emirates and flydubai delays: what the listings show

Emirates' latest flight-status information shows disruption on some Dubai-Saudi services. EK801 on the Dubai–Jeddah route is listed as cancelled. Status information for Dubai–Dammam and Dubai–Riyadh on November 26 was unavailable.

An unavailable entry does not automatically mean a cancellation. Check your individual booking and the Emirates flight-status page before you travel.

The flydubai network shows a mixture of scheduled and estimated services. Treat these flydubai delays and estimates as provisional.

• Madinah: FZ8387 and FZ897 estimated; FZ827 scheduled. On the return leg, FZ828 arrived, FZ8388 is scheduled and FZ898 is estimated.
• Ha'il: FZ8439 and FZ8440 scheduled in both directions.
• Gassim: FZ871 scheduled.
• Tabuk: FZ881 estimated and FZ882 scheduled.

Status information was unavailable for several other Saudi destinations, including Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Abha, Yanbu and Neom. That does not necessarily mean those flights are cancelled.

Air Arabia cancellations on Sharjah-Saudi routes

Air Arabia lists several Sharjah-Saudi services as cancelled. Sharjah-based passengers should check these flight numbers first.

Also check out our report on the European flights bomb threats that targeted 14 flights in three days for another view of how disruption spreads across aviation.

International airlines: Riyadh flights suspended into 2027

Foreign carriers have extended suspensions or adjusted schedules. Some of the longest delays reach well into next year.

Akasa Air offers refunds or free rescheduling. Gulf Air has resumed operations at Riyadh Airport.

These Riyadh flights changes show how long the disruption could last. Plan any Saudi trip with that timeline in mind.

Alternative arrangements at Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport

Saudi carriers have introduced workarounds for passengers hit by disruption at King Khalid International Airport.

• Saudia: Some Riyadh services operate through Al Qassim Airport, with bus transfers between Riyadh and the airport. The airline is also arranging alternative routing through Al Qassim and Dammam.
• flyadeal: Riyadh services have temporarily shifted to Qassim Airport, with bus transfers from Riyadh Bus Station.

Confirm your departure airport, transfer arrangements and reporting time directly with your airline. Missing a bus transfer could cost you your seat.

You can also read our coverage of the Saudi Arabia weather warning on thunderstorms and flash floods, which may also affect travel plans.

Regional security and the UAE flights status outlook

The wider security picture offers little immediate reassurance. US President Donald Trump has threatened further military action against Iran. He said the United States may have to “destroy” the rest of the country, without specifying what action could follow. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth faces growing political pressure over the conflict.

Diplomacy continues in parallel. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has held discussions with regional counterparts on security and de-escalation. Russian President Vladimir Putin met Iran's security chief.

In Saudi Arabia, air defences intercepted ballistic missiles that Yemen's Houthi militia launched towards Najran. The Saudi-led coalition said debris fell after the interception and authorities are assessing the damage. Saudi Arabia also reported intercepting a drone over its Eastern Province.

These events underline continuing risks across parts of the region. Flight operations and airspace restrictions can change independently of developments on the ground, so the UAE flights status can shift without warning.

For official national updates, consult the UAE Government portal and the Emirates News Agency.

How to check your UAE flights status before leaving home

Follow these steps before every departure:

1. Check your airline's official flight-status page for your exact flight number.
2. Read the listing carefully. "Unavailable" does not equal "cancelled".
3. Confirm your departure airport if you are flying to Riyadh with Saudia or flyadeal.
4. Ask about refunds or free rescheduling if your flight is affected.
5. Allow extra time at the airport in case of delays.

For more, see our guide to the Dubai Access Club and its five-year visas for repeat visitors. Also read our coverage of the UAE weekend weather outlook. For another airport rule story, see our report on the Kuwait airport photography ban for staff.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current UAE flights status at Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports?

Delays are reported at Dubai International Airport and Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi. Cancellations also affect several routes from Dubai and Sharjah.

Are Etihad flights to Riyadh and Dammam operating?

No. Etihad has cancelled all passenger and cargo flights between Abu Dhabi and both cities through November 19.

Does an unavailable flight status mean my flight is cancelled?

No. An unavailable entry should not automatically be read as a cancellation. Confirm with your airline.

Which Air Arabia flights are cancelled?

Air Arabia lists G9195 to Abha, G9398 to Jizan, and G9151 and G9154 to Riyadh as cancelled from Sharjah.

How long will some Riyadh suspensions last?

Cathay Pacific has suspended Riyadh flights until January 31, 2027. Singapore Airlines has postponed its non-stop Riyadh launch until March 28, 2027.