Air travel between the UAE and Saudi Arabia remains disrupted on October 27, with several airlines maintaining suspensions on key routes while selected international services return to Dubai. Passengers travelling from Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi should check their individual bookings before setting out.
Etihad Airways has confirmed that flights between Abu Dhabi and Dammam, Riyadh and selected Jeddah services remain cancelled through November 5 because of regional disruption. The airline has advised passengers to monitor its official flight-status service for further changes.
The wider disruption continues to affect Saudi Arabia’s aviation network. Reuters reported on October 26 that thousands of scheduled flights across the country had been cancelled between October 8 and 25, with Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport beginning a limited reopening for domestic services and some international flights.
For UAE residents, the practical concern is whether a particular flight is operating, has been rescheduled or has been cancelled. Airline schedules can change at short notice, and a suspension on one route does not necessarily mean that all flights to a destination are affected.
Abu Dhabi–Saudi Arabia flights: Etihad extends cancellations
Etihad Airways’ published travel update lists cancellations on the following routes through Thursday, November 5:
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Abu Dhabi–Dammam: All flights on the route are cancelled during the stated period.
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Abu Dhabi–Riyadh: All flights on the route are cancelled during the stated period.
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Abu Dhabi–Jeddah: Flights EY601 and EY603 from Abu Dhabi, together with return flights EY602 and EY604, are cancelled.
Passengers with affected reservations should review the airline’s instructions for rebooking or other available options. Travellers who booked through a travel agent may also need to contact that agent to manage their reservation.
These route-specific cancellations should not be interpreted as a complete shutdown of air travel from Abu Dhabi. The status of other destinations and individual services needs to be checked separately.
Riyadh airport resumes limited operations
Saudi Arabia’s aviation disruption remains a major factor for passengers connecting through or travelling to the kingdom.
According to Reuters’ October 26 report, King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh had begun a limited reopening after an extended closure. Domestic services and a restricted number of international flights were being restored, but widespread cancellations continued across the Saudi network.
The partial reopening does not mean that all international airlines have resumed their normal schedules. Airlines can maintain suspensions even when an airport is accepting some flights, depending on their operational decisions and security assessments.
Passengers booked to Riyadh should therefore confirm both the flight’s operating status and the airport arrangements with their airline. A booking confirmation issued earlier does not, by itself, establish that a flight is still operating.
Dubai flights: check individual arrivals and departures
Dubai remains an important departure and arrival hub for residents travelling across the Gulf and internationally. However, the available reports do not establish that every Dubai flight is experiencing disruption on October 27.
Passengers should use the official flight-status services of their operating airline and Dubai Airports to check their specific flight number, terminal and revised timing. Travellers meeting arriving passengers should also confirm the arrival time before leaving home.
The distinction between a cancellation and a delay matters. A cancelled flight generally requires the passenger to arrange an alternative itinerary with the airline, while a delayed service may continue to operate at a revised time. A rerouted flight may also have a different journey duration or arrival time.
For passengers with connecting journeys, any change to the first flight should prompt a review of the onward connection. Travellers should ask the airline to confirm the revised itinerary rather than assuming that a separate connecting booking will automatically be adjusted.
Winter travel: more services may return, but schedules vary
The approaching winter travel season is bringing additional network changes alongside the ongoing Saudi route disruption.
Emirates said in a recent network update that it was operating at around 93% of its pre-disruption capacity and reported positive winter bookings. The airline also identified several markets where demand was running ahead of the previous year. These figures describe the carrier’s overall network and bookings; they do not guarantee that any specific flight is operating on October 27.
For UAE travellers planning November or December holidays, the sensible approach is to verify the booked route before making non-refundable arrangements around it. Where a journey includes a Saudi airport or a connection through another affected hub, passengers should check each sector of the itinerary.
What UAE passengers should do before leaving for the airport
Travellers can reduce the risk of unnecessary airport journeys by taking a few practical steps:
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Check the exact flight number. Use the operating airline’s official tracker rather than relying solely on a general route update.
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Review airline messages. Check email, SMS and the booking account for revised departure times, cancellations or rebooking instructions.
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Confirm terminal and airport details. Check the latest information for Dubai International, Zayed International or the relevant destination airport.
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Ask about rebooking or refunds. If a flight is cancelled, confirm the options and conditions that apply to the ticket.
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Check connecting flights separately. Confirm that onward sectors remain valid and that any changes have been reflected in the itinerary.
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Monitor updates on travel day. A flight shown as scheduled earlier may change before departure.
The most reliable information is the latest update issued by the airline operating the flight. Etihad’s travel advisory and flight tracker are available through its official website, while flydubai provides a flight-status tracker.
For October 27, the key distinction is between the confirmed Etihad cancellations on selected Saudi routes and the wider network situation, where individual flights may have different operating statuses. UAE passengers should verify their own itinerary before travelling and continue to monitor airline announcements for changes.
1. Are UAE flights affected on October 27, 2026?
Some routes remain affected by cancellations and schedule changes, particularly services connecting Abu Dhabi with selected Saudi cities. Passengers should check their specific flight with the operating airline.
2. Are Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi to Saudi Arabia cancelled?
Etihad’s published advisory lists cancellations between Abu Dhabi and Dammam, Riyadh and specified Jeddah services through November 5, 2026. Passengers should check for subsequent updates before travelling.
3. Is Riyadh airport open?
Reuters reported on October 26 that Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport had begun a limited reopening. This does not mean all airlines or international routes have resumed normal operations.
4. How can I check my Dubai flight status?
Check your flight number through your airline’s official website or app. You can also consult Dubai Airports for airport information and confirm the departure terminal and latest timing.
5. What should I do if my flight is cancelled?
Contact the airline or your travel agent to confirm available rebooking, refund or alternative travel options. Check the conditions that apply to your specific ticket.
6. Should I go to the airport if my flight is delayed?
First, check the latest airline instructions and revised departure time. Follow the airline’s guidance about airport arrival and check-in requirements rather than assuming the delay permits a later arrival.
7. Are all flights between the UAE and Saudi Arabia suspended?
No blanket suspension of every UAE–Saudi route is established by the sources consulted. The confirmed Etihad advisory applies to specified routes, and other airlines may have different schedules or restrictions.
8. Where can UAE travellers find official flight updates?
Use the Etihad flight-status and travel updates page, the flydubai flight tracker or the relevant operating airline’s official service.
