Dubai and Middle East flight disruption: widespread cancellations as Riyadh airport ...

The Middle East is facing widespread flight disruptions this weekend as Riyadh airport suspended all operations following a fresh attack that left 12 people dead and 309 injured. It comes just two days after a Houthi attack on the airport that killed three Saudi nationals, including a Saudia Airlines pilot.

Four Saudi citizens were among those killed in Saturday's attack, alongside eight foreign nationals including two from Bangladesh, and one each from the US, Egypt, Jordan, Sudan, Syria, and Palestine, Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation confirmed in an update on Sunday.

The GACA halted all flight operations at the airport on Saturday afternoon as authorities work with relevant agencies to assess the damage and ensure the safety of all airport facilities. The kingdom's Foreign Ministry urged citizens whose flights were impacted by Saturday's incident to Saudi diplomatic missions abroad for assistance. Disruption is continuing into Sunday, with more than 81 per cent of flights showing as cancelled according to Flightradar24.

Saudi Arabia 's airports have been repeatedly struck by missile fire this week. Three people were killed in the attack on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport on Thursday, while attacks earlier in the week resulted in one death and eight injuries in Riyadh, and two deaths and 28 injuries in Abha. On Monday, 5 October, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Jizan and Najran International Airport, close to the Yemeni border, were attacked, causing “minor injuries” and damage.

Following Saturday's incident, the UK and the US advised their citizens to avoid King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, while international airlines including Kuwait Airways cancelled flights to the Saudi capital. The latest government warnings come a day after the UK's FCDO advised its citizens against all but essential travel to parts of Saudi Arabia, including Aseer, Riyadh, Najran, Jizan, Taif city and Taif International Airport, as well as anywhere within 10 kilometres of the border with Yemen.

The US, meanwhile, updated its earlier warning of potential disruption in Riyadh, now specifying that all US government employees require special authorisation to use Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport.

With the epicentre of the war shifting, convergence between the US and Iran remains elusive. Indirect talks continue between the two countries, with Iran currently weighing up proposals from the US while remaining ready to deal with any “miscalculation" by the US and Israel. US President Donald Trump has refuted reports of further attacks before the midterm elections.

Meanwhile, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has renewed its conflict zone advisory for the Gulf, urging airlines to avoid airspace over the waters of the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar until Monday, 16 November, prompting several international airlines to delay the resumption of their routes. The US has imposed sanctions on Iran's civilian air fleet, leading the UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority to suspend all flights operated by Iranian airlines. Flydubai has also suspended its routes to Israel in light of the attempted terrorist act that took place on its route to Tel Aviv on 30 September.

The conflict is centred around the Strait of Hormuz, though intermittent missile strikes on Saudi Arabia by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis are affecting regional airspace. There have been no attacks on other GCC countries since September, when Kuwait and Bahrain both intercepted several drones.

As a result of the fluctuating situation, those travelling from, to, or through the region should remain prepared for possible flight disruptions.

Here’s what travellers with flights booked across the Middle East need to know right now.

This article was updated with the latest information on Sunday, 11 October 2026

Which airlines are operating in the Middle East?

All airlines with flights into countries with restricted airspace are currently operating with reduced and limited schedules, including those headed for Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport, Dubai International Airport , Abu Dhabi's Zayed International Airport , Bahrain International Airport, Doha's Hamad International Airport , Kuwait International Airport, Tehran's Imam Khomeini International Airport and Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport .

Emirates: Emirates is now flying to 140 destinations across 72 countries worldwide, representing 98 per cent of its global network. More than 1,300 flights are operating each week – roughly 93 per cent of its pre-war capacity. The airline is operating flights to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Tel Aviv and Kuwait, but is advising passengers to check their flight status “even after you have checked in”, as the situation remains fluid, particularly for those heading to the Kingdom. For peace of mind, all Emirates customers with booked flights can now change their ticket dates as many times as needed, free of charge. The airline is also offering comprehensive travel insurance to international passengers, which includes coverage for conflict-related expenses, a free 30-day trip extension, airline-managed hotel stays and support during disruptions.

Etihad Airways: Etihad is operating to more than 90 destinations, with additional destinations set to be added as “conditions permit”. Flights between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi are facing delays and cancellations, with the airline advising travellers to check the latest Etihad updates before travelling. All passengers with tickets are advised to ensure that their details are up to date. Passengers with any affected bookings will be accommodated on the earliest available flight. Those with Etihad flight tickets issued on or after Friday, 6 March, for travel scheduled up to 31 March 2027, may change their booking once without a rebooking fee. All international travellers arriving in the capital on the state carrier will receive complimentary medical travel insurance for up to 15 days, giving passengers “one less thing to think ” during times of uncertainty.

Qatar Airways: Qatar Airways is flying to the UAE, with multiple daily flights to Dubai, and has resumed its routes to Bahrain and Kuwait, though customers can expect some delays on these routes and those to Saudi Arabia. In an update, the airline said it is now operating to more than 160 destinations, which is 85 per cent of its pre-war network. Its expanded network includes Cairo, Casablanca, Miami, New York, Toronto, Frankfurt, Madrid, London, Bangkok, Beijing and Mumbai. For the full list of routes, visit the Qatar Airways website . Passengers with confirmed travel dates are eligible for a complimentary date change up to 31 October 2026.

Flydubai: Flydubai is “currently operating flights across its network with a reduced schedule". Flights are running as scheduled, but the airline advises that “flight durations and transit times in Dubai” may be longer due to rerouted flight paths. The airline has suspended all flights to Tel Aviv, and its route to Riyadh is facing cancellations. Passengers are advised to check their flight status, as schedules may change at short notice. Find the full list of destinations here .

Gulf Air: Gulf Air 's global flight network has been restored to 75 per cent of its pre-war capacity. The Bahraini carrier currently operates flights to more than 50 destinations worldwide; its routes to Kuwait have been intermittently affected. Flights to Riyadh are facing cancellations.

Air Arabia: Air Arabia is operating scheduled flights between Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, and several international destinations, including Vienna, Athens, Cairo, Kathmandu, Muscat, Islamabad, Jeddah and Bangkok. Its flights to Riyadh, Bahrain and Kuwait continue to be affected this week, with cancellations and delays on services to and from the Gulf countries. The full list of the airline's ongoing routes can be viewed and booked on the Air Arabia website . Passengers whose flights were previously cancelled may also rebook if they have not yet used their modification or refund option.

Air France: Air France has resumed flights to Tel Aviv after a six-month suspension. Its Dubai flights will not be reinstated until 13 October, its Beirut service was reinstated on 26 September, and its Riyadh flights are scheduled to start on 24 October, with the airline saying: “The resumption of operations will remain subject to an assessment of the security situation locally, which is rapidly evolving.”

Air India: Air India has cancelled its flights to Riyadh until Saturday, 10 October. As tensions continue, the airline says: “Travel to and from the Middle East may be affected due to airspace closures in the region. Before you travel, please check the latest updates here ”.

IndiGo: According to its website, Indian carrier IndiGo is “operating select flights to/from the Middle East". The airline has cancelled flights to Riyadh this week and passengers can expect continued disruption.

Iraqi Airways: Iraqi Airways is running domestic and international flights, with international routes including Cairo, Istanbul and Amman, and domestic routes to Basra, Sulaymaniyah and Erbil.

Aegean Airlines: Greece's Aegean Airlines has resumed many of its flights to the region after pausing operations during the early stages of the war. Its route to Beirut was reinstated on 12 May, and Amman started on 21 May. However, flights to Dubai remain cancelled until 23 October and those to Riyadh won't be running until 24 October.

Kuwait Airways: Kuwait Airways is running a broad schedule, although it has had to cancel flights at short notice and make changes to schedules. On Saturday, 10 October, it cancelled flights to Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport. The airline advises passengers to check their flight status before travelling to the airport – advising that any changes to booked flights will be shared with passengers via text message.

Jazeera Airways : Jazeera Airways is currently flying to select destinations, including Delhi, Beirut, Mumbai, Damascus, Kochi, Istanbul, Amman, Dubai and Cairo. However, it warns passengers that some flights could be disrupted. Passengers are urged to check the status of their flight before travelling, as some routes are being diverted to King Fahd International Airport in Dammam.

Flynas: Saudi Arabia's budget airline Flynas is currently operating daily flights to Dubai, Doha and Bahrain, along with several international destinations, including Germany, Sri Lanka and the Philippines. Delays are to be expected due to attacks on the kingdom's airports.

Oman Air: Oman's state-owned flag carrier has resumed flights to and from Amman, Dubai, Bahrain and Doha. However, it says “technical issues” and “airspace restrictions” are affecting some routes, meaning that customers can anticipate delays and cancellations.

Turkish Airlines: Turkish Airlines has now resumed its pre-war schedule of flights between Dubai and Istanbul, one of the airline's key routes. Its four daily flights between the two cities started again on Tuesday, 1 September, while it has also increased its Abu Dhabi flights from four to seven per week. However, it continues to advise passengers to “check the latest flight schedules and travel requirements via the Turkish Airlines website or official channels prior to travel”.

Air Astana: The national carrier of Kazakhstan has resumed its service to Dubai after suspending it back in July.

Which airlines have suspended and cancelled Middle East flights?

Air Canada: Air Canada has extended its suspension of flights to Dubai and Tel Aviv until the end of March 2027.

AirBaltic: Latvian carrier AirBaltic has cancelled its routes to Dubai until 25 October.

British Airways: British Airways has suspended flights to many destinations in the Middle East, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv. The airline will be permanently dropping its London-Jeddah route. The carrier has confirmed it will resume flights to Dubai on Tuesday, 3 November, while flights to Abu Dhabi won't begin until winter 2027-28. Its route to Tel Aviv is set to resume on 25 October with one service per day; to Riyadh on 3 November with one daily flight; and to Amman on 4 November, with four flights per week. Flights to Bahrain are not scheduled to resume until the end of March 2027. Flights to Doha recommenced on 1 September with one daily flight, down from two previously. Customers who had bookings with British Airways issued before 1 April for travel between 28 February and 31 October can request a full refund or date change.

Cathay Pacific: Hong Kong-based carrier Cathay Pacific has cancelled all flights to and from Dubai and Riyadh until 31 January, 2027. Customers affected may rebook, reroute or refund their tickets as per the airline's ticket waiver policy. “We are monitoring the situation closely and will remain agile in our response. The safety of our customers and people guides every decision we make,” the airline said in a statement.

Finn Air: Finland's national carrier, Finn Air, has suspended flights between Dubai and Helsinki until 27 March, 2027. Its flights to Doha have also been suspended until the winter season, with no resumption date provided.

Iran Air: All flights between Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport and the UAE have been cancelled indefinitely as the UAE government responds to US sanctions.

ITA Airways: Flights to Dubai have been suspended until 24 October, while the airline's service to Riyadh, which was previously reinstated, has been suspended again until 16 October.

KLM: Dutch airline KLM has cancelled all flights to and from Dubai, Riyadh and Dammam until 25 October. In a recent statement , the airline said: “KLM is currently not flying through the airspace of Iran, Iraq and Israel, nor over several countries in the Gulf region".

Korean Air: Korean Air has suspended its route from Incheon International Airport to Dubai until further notice.

Japan Airlines: Japan Airlines has cancelled its Tokyo to Doha and Doha to Tokyo flights until “it is confirmed that sufficient safety measures are ensured under the current situation in the Middle East”.

Lufthansa: The German carrier has suspended its flights to Riyadh until 16 October, but plans to gradually resume flights between Europe and Dubai this month, with its route from Munich planned to start on 25 October and those between Frankfurt and Dubai set to reopen on 26 October.

Norwegian: In a statement on its website , budget carrier Norwegian announced that its seasonal route to Dubai ended on Wednesday, 8 April; there will be no new flights to Dubai until further notice.

Pegasus: Turkish budget airline Pegasus continues to suspend all flights to Abu Dhabi, Amman, Bahrain, Beirut, Dammam, Doha, Dubai, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Riyadh and Sharjah.

Philippine Airlines: Philippine Airlines has suspended flights from Manila to Dubai until 2 October. The airline has, however, resumed flights to Doha.

Virgin Atlantic: British carrier Virgin Atlantic has suspended its service from London to Dubai for the foreseeable future. The airline put out a statement on Sunday, 8 March, saying: “The recent escalation in the Middle East has brought forward the end of our operation for this season.” Those with tickets for Virgin flights are advised to the airline, as their teams are “actively working to support those who still need to travel, including exploring and securing arrangements with other airlines wherever possible”.

Scoot: Singapore Airlines' budget subsidiary has suspended its route to Jeddah until 2 December.

Singapore Airlines : Singapore Airlines has extended its suspension of flights between Singapore and Dubai until 1 December.

Wizz Air: Flights from mainland Europe to Dubai and Abu Dhabi have been suspended until March 2027, while flights to Medina in Saudi Arabia are cancelled indefinitely.

Middle East airspace updates

Kuwait 's airspace is open, but has experienced intermittent closures due to missile strikes.

Bahrain's airspace is currently open, though some flights are experiencing disruptions.

The United Arab Emirates has announced the full resumption of air traffic. "The decision was taken after a comprehensive evaluation of operational and security conditions and in coordination with relevant authorities," the General Civil Aviation Authority said in a statement. "Continuous real-time monitoring remains in place to ensure the highest levels of aviation safety."

Qatar has also reopened its airspace.

Iraq and Israel have reopened their airspace, although operations remain subject to potential short-term closures.

Iran has partially reopened its airspace, allowing transit through eastern routes.

Saudi Arabia 's airspace is technically still open, but it is being impacted by intermittent missile strikes from Iran-backed Houthis. “Passengers travelling to destinations impacted by ongoing events are urged to check directly with their airlines for the latest flight updates before leaving for the airport,” King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Jeddah Airports and Dammam Airports advised.

What are aviation authorities advising?

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) renewed its conflict zone advisory for the Gulf, urging airlines to avoid airspace over the waters of the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar until Monday, 16 November.

The advisory applies to all EU airlines operating under European aviation rules, along with non-European airlines authorised by the EASA to fly to, from and within the European Union. “The possible use of missiles, drones, combat aircraft and air-defence systems creates a high risk to civil flights at all altitudes and flight levels within the concerned airspace," it states.

What does this mean for travellers?

Travellers should expect a range of practical disruptions, including:

Technical stops: particularly on low-cost carriers , with unscheduled fuel stops in southern Europe

Cancellations: while airspace is closed, airlines have no choice but to ground flights

Schedule shifts: if and when flights resume, expect there to be a knock-on impact on flight schedules

Rerouting delays: longer flight durations even on services that remain operational

Airlines are offering refunds and flexible rebooking options, though policies vary by carrier.