Dubai: Travellers flying from the UAE on Monday, October 5, should check their individual flight status before leaving for the airport, as airline schedules remain subject to delays, cancellations and last-minute changes.
The latest disruption follows several days of changing regional aviation conditions. Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi continue to handle scheduled services, but airlines are adjusting some routes and operating patterns in response to the wider regional security environment.
Recent updates have affected services operated by Emirates, Etihad Airways, flydubai and Air Arabia, although the disruption is not uniform across all flights. Some services continue to operate normally while others have been delayed or cancelled.
What travellers should know today
The most important point for passengers is that a general airline or airport update does not necessarily determine the status of an individual booking.
Dubai Airports provides a live flight-status service covering departures and arrivals, including flights scheduled for October 5. Passengers can search by airline, destination or flight number.
Emirates also advises customers to check their individual flight status and any notifications received from the airline before travelling to the airport. Its official flight-status system allows passengers to search by flight number or route.
Emirates
Emirates continues to operate a broad network from Dubai, but passengers should not assume that a previously confirmed itinerary will remain unchanged.
The airline’s guidance says customers should monitor their flight status and email notifications for cancellations or other changes. Emirates also notes that operations can be affected by the wider regional situation and that passengers with disrupted flights may need to arrange rebooking through the airline or their travel agent.
Travellers should therefore check their specific Emirates flight shortly before departure rather than relying solely on the published timetable.
Etihad Airways
Etihad services from Zayed International Airport are also operating, although some flights have experienced delays.
A recent UAE aviation update listed Etihad flight ET615 from Abu Dhabi to Addis Ababa among delayed services, while flights to other regional destinations have continued subject to schedule changes.
Passengers travelling through Abu Dhabi should check Etihad’s official flight information before setting out and allow additional time at the airport if their service has been changed.
flydubai
flydubai has faced a number of cancellations and schedule changes in recent days.
An October 4 update listed several cancelled Dubai departures, including services to Erbil, Abha, Entebbe, Muscat and Karachi. The airline has also advised passengers departing Dubai to allow additional time at the airport, complete online check-in where available and check their flight status before travelling.
The airline’s operational-update page similarly advises passengers to regularly check flight status and operational notices because schedules can change.
The disruption also comes after the September 30 incident involving flydubai flight FZ1073, which diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, following an attack on the aircraft’s pilots. UAE authorities have described the incident as an attempted terrorist attack, and investigations remain ongoing.
Air Arabia
Air Arabia has also reported cancellations affecting services from Sharjah.
Recent updates listed cancellations involving routes to destinations including Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Egypt, Qatar and Uzbekistan. The carrier continues to operate other services, meaning passengers should check their own flight rather than assume that an entire route or airline network has been suspended.
International airlines are also adjusting schedules
The disruption extends beyond UAE-based carriers.
Several international airlines have continued to modify or suspend services to Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Recent updates show that some carriers are gradually restoring services, while others have extended suspensions into October and beyond.
Air France, for example, has suspended Dubai services through October 24, while Cathay Pacific has extended Dubai and Riyadh passenger-flight cancellations through January 31, 2027. Singapore Airlines has also extended the cancellation of its Dubai services through December 1.
At the same time, some carriers are preparing to restore services. Lufthansa Group airlines are planning a phased return to Dubai later in October, while other airlines have announced their own revised schedules.
The mixed picture means passengers should rely on the operating airline for the status of their particular booking.
Why are UAE flights being affected?
The current disruption is linked to continuing uncertainty over regional airspace and security conditions.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency has extended its Gulf conflict-zone guidance, with operators advised to conduct appropriate risk assessments for affected airspace. Airlines may consequently reroute aircraft, alter schedules or temporarily suspend particular services when operating conditions change.
Not every delay or cancellation should automatically be attributed to the regional security situation. Airlines and airports can also experience operational, technical, weather-related or other disruptions. Recent UAE flight updates specifically caution that individual cancellations may have different causes.
What UAE passengers should do before travelling
Passengers with flights departing from Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Sharjah should:
- Check their individual flight status directly with the airline.
- Check Dubai Airports’ flight-status system when travelling through DXB.
- Monitor airline emails, SMS messages and app notifications.
- Complete online check-in where available.
- Allow extra time for airport procedures.
- Avoid travelling to the airport solely on the assumption that a booking remains unchanged.
- Contact the airline or travel agent promptly if a flight is cancelled or significantly changed.
Dubai Airports’ passenger-welfare rules require airlines to provide information and support during disruptions, including assistance with rebooking and cancellation-related procedures.
For passengers flying on flydubai from Dubai, the airline has specifically advised allowing at least four hours before departure during periods of disruption.
With schedules continuing to change, the most reliable information remains the live status of the individual flight. Travellers should check again shortly before departure, even if the flight was previously confirmed.
Are UAE flights operating today?
Yes. UAE airports remain operational, but individual flights can be delayed, cancelled or rescheduled. Passengers should check their specific flight before travelling.
Are Emirates flights operating from Dubai?
Emirates continues to operate flights from Dubai, although individual services can be affected by delays or cancellations. Emirates advises passengers to check their flight status before going to the airport.
Are Etihad flights operating from Abu Dhabi?
Yes. Etihad continues to operate services from Abu Dhabi, although some flights have experienced delays. Passengers should verify their individual flight with Etihad.
Are flydubai flights cancelled?
Some flydubai services have been cancelled or changed. The status varies by route and flight, so passengers should check their booking directly with flydubai.
Are Air Arabia flights operating from Sharjah?
Air Arabia continues to operate flights, but several Sharjah services have recently been cancelled. Travellers should check the status of their particular flight.
Should I go to the airport if my flight is still showing as scheduled?
Passengers should first check their airline’s latest notification and flight-status information. Airlines can make last-minute changes, so a current confirmation is preferable to relying on an earlier booking status.
Where can UAE travellers check flight status?
Passengers can check directly with their airline. Dubai International Airport also provides a flight-status search for DXB departures and arrivals.
