Emirates, Etihad, Air Arabia cancel regional flights amid Middle East tensions

For UAE travellers flying this month, the regional air travel picture remains mixed, with many flights operating but continued cancellations, longer routings and schedule changes on some key Gulf routes. Emirates, Etihad Airways and Air Arabia have cancelled several services to Bahrain, Kuwait and Doha. At the same time, several major international carriers have extended suspensions of services to the UAE and other destinations in the Middle East.

Etihad Airways has cancelled Abu Dhabi–Bahrain flights and services EY653 and EY654 between Abu Dhabi and Kuwait, with the Kuwait service remaining cancelled indefinitely. Emirates has suspended Dubai–Bahrain and Dubai–Kuwait services, along with EK757 to Algiers and EK606 to Karachi. Air Arabia has cancelled multiple flights including G9107 to Bahrain, G9068 and G9124 to Kuwait, and G9081, G9130 and G9027 to Doha.

International carriers have also extended suspensions. Air Canada has extended its Dubai flight suspension until mid-January 2027. Singapore Airlines has pushed back the resumption of Dubai flights to October 24. British Airways flights to Dubai, Tel Aviv, Bahrain and Amman remain suspended until October 25. Air France has suspended flights to Dubai until August 18, while Turkish Airlines has resumed flights to Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Disruptions are being driven by operational adjustments, temporary airspace restrictions and the continuing security situation across the Middle East.