UAE air travel remains operational on Monday, September 21, but passengers are facing a mixed schedule of normal services, delays and cancellations across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.
Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi were showing little to no widespread delays in the latest airport information reviewed, although some early departures were affected. Airlines are continuing to adjust individual services, making flight-by-flight checks important for travellers.
The latest airline updates show that Etihad Airways is maintaining most services to Bahrain, Kuwait, Riyadh, Al Qassim and Medina, while some flights to Dammam and Jeddah have been delayed. Emirates has scheduled services to Bahrain and Kuwait, while flydubai and Air Arabia have cancelled selected flights.
Emirates flights from Dubai
Emirates continues to operate selected regional services from Dubai.
The latest status information reviewed showed Emirates flight EK837 from Dubai to Bahrain had arrived, with EK839 scheduled. EK857 from Dubai to Kuwait was also scheduled.
Passengers with Emirates bookings should check their individual flight before travelling, as a scheduled service can still receive a timing or operational change closer to departure.
Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi
Etihad’s regional network remains active, although some services are running late.
Flight EY577 from Abu Dhabi to Dammam and EY603 from Abu Dhabi to Jeddah were listed as delayed. Services to Riyadh, Al Qassim and Medina were operating normally in the latest update, while Bahrain and Kuwait services were largely continuing.
For passengers departing from Zayed International Airport, the airline’s individual flight-status information remains the most relevant source because airport-wide conditions do not necessarily reflect the status of a particular service.
flydubai cancellations and passenger guidance
flydubai has reported cancellations on selected regional routes.
Flight FZ029 from Dubai to Bahrain and FZ817 from Dubai to Yanbu were cancelled in the latest update. Other services, including FZ023 and FZ063, remained in operation or scheduled.
The airline advises passengers to check flight status before travelling to the airport. Its operational guidance also says schedules may be adjusted as conditions change.
Passengers flying from Dubai should therefore allow additional time for airport procedures and follow any notification received from flydubai regarding their booking.
Air Arabia services from Sharjah and Abu Dhabi
Air Arabia has also recorded cancellations on some UAE regional routes.
The latest update showed G9068 and G9124 from Sharjah to Kuwait cancelled, while G9121 had not yet departed. Sharjah-Bahrain flight G9107 was cancelled, while G9101 had arrived and G9103 and G9105 remained scheduled.
Air Arabia flight 3L020 from Abu Dhabi to Kuwait was also listed as cancelled.
Air Arabia’s official flight-status system allows passengers to check individual flights by route or flight number and provides updated information on cancellations, delays and departures.
International airlines are returning at different speeds
The disruption is not limited to UAE-based carriers. International airlines are restoring their UAE schedules at different times.
British Airways plans to resume Dubai services on November 4, while Wizz Air is preparing to return to Dubai and Abu Dhabi in late October. Air Astana is expected to restart Dubai services from Kazakhstan in early October.
Other airlines continue to have reduced or suspended Dubai operations. Lufthansa, SWISS, Singapore Airlines, KLM, ITA Airways and AirBaltic are among carriers with Dubai services suspended through October 24, according to the latest schedule information reviewed. Air Canada has pushed its Dubai return to mid-January 2027.
The different restart dates mean passengers should not assume that an airline’s wider regional network has returned to its normal schedule simply because some UAE services are operating.
What international travel advisories say
The United States currently lists the UAE at Level 3 — Reconsider Travel, citing terrorism and armed conflict. The US advisory also says ongoing regional hostilities have caused significant disruption to commercial flights.
Australia’s Smartraveller currently advises travellers to reconsider their need to travel to the UAE. Its guidance warns that regional military conflict can lead to airspace closures, flight cancellations and other travel disruption.
UK travel advice also warns that the regional situation remains unpredictable and that travellers should be prepared for possible flight cancellations and airspace disruption.
These advisories are separate from the operational status of individual UAE flights. A travel advisory does not automatically mean a particular Emirates, Etihad, flydubai or Air Arabia flight is cancelled.
What UAE passengers should do before travelling
Passengers travelling from Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Sharjah should:
- Check the exact flight number on the airline’s official website or app before leaving home.
- Recheck the status even if the booking was previously confirmed.
- Complete online check-in where available.
- Allow additional time at the airport.
- Keep airline contact details updated to receive schedule-change notifications.
- Follow the airline’s instructions if a flight is cancelled or rescheduled.
Dubai Airports provides a dedicated flight-status service, while airlines including Emirates, Etihad, flydubai and Air Arabia provide their own flight-specific information.
For travellers, the key point on September 21 is that UAE aviation has not stopped, but schedules remain fluid. Individual flight status is therefore more useful than assuming that every route operated by an airline is running normally.
What is the UAE flight status today?
UAE airports remain operational, but some flights are delayed or cancelled. Passengers should check their individual flight with the airline before travelling.
Are Emirates flights operating from Dubai?
Yes. Emirates has scheduled regional services, including Dubai-Bahrain and Dubai-Kuwait flights in the latest update. Individual flight status should be checked before departure.
Are Etihad flights operating from Abu Dhabi?
Yes. Etihad continues to operate several regional services, although some flights to Dammam and Jeddah were delayed.
Which flydubai flights were cancelled?
The latest update listed FZ029 from Dubai to Bahrain and FZ817 from Dubai to Yanbu as cancelled. Flight status can change, so passengers should verify their booking directly with flydubai.
Which Air Arabia flights were cancelled?
The latest update listed several cancellations, including G9068 and G9124 from Sharjah to Kuwait, G9107 from Sharjah to Bahrain and 3L020 from Abu Dhabi to Kuwait.
Are Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports open?
Yes. The latest information indicates that DXB and Zayed International Airport remain operational, although some individual flights may be affected.
Should passengers go to the airport if their flight is confirmed?
Passengers should check their flight status immediately before leaving for the airport because schedules can change at short notice
