UAE Travel News

Etihad Airways now flies direct between Abu Dhabi and Luxembourg - the first nonstop service on this route, with four weekly flights on the A321LR.

SWISS resumes Dubai daily from 27 October, Eurowings from 1 November and Austrian from 12 December as Lufthansa Group's phased UAE return gathers pace.

Emirates and flydubai have extended their suspension of Dubai-Saudi Arabia flights through 29 October, with Riyadh services delayed until 8 November.

British Airways has extended its Dubai suspension until 3 November 2026. KLM resumes October 24. What to know if you are flying to the UAE this month.

Cathay Pacific has extended its Dubai passenger flight suspension through 31 January 2027, the third delay since the regional conflict began.

Etihad Airways has cancelled Abu Dhabi flights to Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah through 18-19 October. Air Arabia also reporting Saudi route disruptions.

The Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix closes the 2026 season at Yas Marina on 4-6 December. Yas Island hotels are booking fast, so plan now.

Dubai Miracle Garden opens 8 October, Dubai Safari Park 12 October, and Global Village 14 October, marking the start of UAE's peak tourist season.

Dubai Fitness Challenge returns for its 10th edition from 31 October to 29 November 2026, offering free events including Dubai Run, Dubai Ride, and yoga.

International airlines including Lufthansa and Wizz Air resume Dubai flights from 25 October as UAE airspace recovers heading into peak winter season.

Etihad Rail reached Dubai and Al Dhaid on 30 September, linking them with Abu Dhabi and Fujairah. Comfort class tickets from Dh55.

The UAE extends visa-on-arrival to six new nationalities, removing the need to apply in advance for visitors from the newly eligible countries.

Singapore Airlines, KLM, Eurowings and Air Canada extend UAE flight suspensions to October 24 or January 2027. UAE also bans Iranian carriers.

Emirates and flydubai offer double Skywards Miles on all qualifying flights through November 2026. Register with your card before booking to qualify.

Air France extends its Dubai suspension through 13 October 2026. FlyDubai cut Bahrain and Abha routes on 19 September amid ongoing Gulf airspace warnings.

US Embassy UAE issued a September 19 security alert after Houthi strikes on Riyadh caused Gulf-wide flight disruptions at Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports.

The UAE is seeking removal from multiple travel advisories as Dubai records its strongest tourism numbers since before the 2025 regional conflict.

Arabian Travel Market 2026: 14–17 September at Dubai World Trade Centre. Brings 40,000+ travel professionals, hoteliers, airlines, and tour operators.

Emirates EK004 and EK006 from London Heathrow cancelled 9 September 2026 due to ATC failure and Iran missile strikes affecting regional airspace.

Al Ain is the Arab Capital of Tourism 2026, the first city to hold both GCC and Arab tourism capital titles. See the year-long programme details.

Emirates, Etihad and Air France are cancelling UAE flights on 7–8 September as Anak Krakatau ash disrupts transit routing across Gulf carriers.

Etihad Rail extends to Dubai from 30 September 2026. Trains link Al Yalayis (Dubai) to Abu Dhabi in about 64 minutes.

EASA extended its Gulf conflict-zone bulletin through 30 September after hostilities resumed. Lufthansa, British Airways and others remain suspended.

UAE–India flight prices fall 49–64% from 13 September 2026 as the summer rush ends, with Bengaluru seeing the sharpest decline. Here's how to save.

UAE flights face fresh disruptions on 28 August: flydubai cancels Riyadh services and major carriers extend suspensions to October and beyond.

Abu Dhabi covers UAE visa fees for Indian nationals booking 3-night hotel packages. Free visa programme covering up to 20,000 visitors until October.

Dubai returned to year-on-year growth in July 2026 after a soft H1. Hotel occupancy hit 56.4%, while average daily rates fell 7% to Dh701.

Airlines are selling UAE tickets from 1 September as the EASA Gulf airspace bulletin expires 31 August 2026. Emirates and flydubai never suspended routes.

The Guggenheim Abu Dhabi museum confirms its opening date as 11 December 2026 on Saadiyat Island, completing the emirate's Cultural District vision.

KLM has extended its Dubai, Riyadh and Dammam suspension to 24 October, while Emirates and Etihad again pushed back Bahrain and Kuwait services.

UAE confirms 28 August 2026 as a public holiday for Mawlid Al-Nabi (Prophet Muhammad's Birthday). Expect government, bank and school closures nationwide.

Dubai is offering UAE residents an AED 3,000 credit to nominate visiting friends and family, plus suspended hotel taxes, to rebuild visitor numbers.

Abu Dhabi opens teamLab Phenomena, a world-first immersive art museum, and plans a major natural history museum: two landmark additions in 2026.

Thirteen airlines have suspended Dubai flights due to regional tensions, with some extending cancellations through October 2026. Check your booking.

Dubai has widened its freelance permit scheme to cover dozens more technology and creative categories. Here is who qualifies and how to apply.

Singapore Airlines, Air France, British Airways and Air Canada extended UAE flight suspensions to October 2026 amid Middle East tensions.

UAE extends its 14-day visit permit to South Africa, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Kenya and Vietnam from 1 July 2026.

Iran fired missiles at the UAE on 12 July, triggering a shelter-in-place alert. Airports are open; the US Embassy issued a security alert 13 July.

At 1,934m, Jebel Jais in RAK runs 10–12°C cooler than Dubai in summer: plus the world's longest zipline and new hiking trails opening in 2026.

Etihad Rail launched its first UAE passenger train service on June 30, connecting Abu Dhabi and Fujairah in 1h45min, with fares starting from AED 55.

flydubai, Emirates, and Akasa Air suspended 22 flights with 178 delays across UAE airports on 9 July as Middle East airspace instability intensified.

Dubai Summer Surprises launched on 3 July 2026 with deals, events, and entertainment across the emirate. Our guide to making the most of it.

UAE's visa amnesty for overstayers stranded during the February airspace closure expires 9 July 2026. Regularise your status or leave penalty-free now.

The UK FCDO lifted its UAE travel advisory on 18 June 2026 after the US-Iran peace deal. Dubai airports, hotels and restaurants are operating normally.

Etihad Airways and Abu Dhabi's tourism authority are offering eligible visitors complimentary 15-day medical cover from July to December 2026.

Six Senses The Palm Dubai opened on Palm Jumeirah's West Crescent, bringing 61 suites, a 60,000 sq ft spa and the ROKA restaurant to Dubai.

UK FCDO lifted its UAE travel advisory on 18 June 2026 after the US–Iran peace deal. British Airways and Virgin Atlantic flights remain suspended.

Australia's Smartraveller lowered its UAE travel advice from Level 4 (Do Not Travel) to Level 3 on 17 June 2026. Travel insurance is now available.

Riyadh Air launched daily Boeing 787-9 service between Dubai and Riyadh from 18 June 2026, with four cabin classes and fares from $295 return.

British Airways, Cathay Pacific and 14 airlines suspended Dubai routes into summer 2026 amid conflict. Check status before travel.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 runs 11 June to 19 July. Dubai has a major fan zone, busier airports, and extra Emirates and Etihad flights to North America.

UAE suspended new visas for DRC, Uganda and South Sudan nationals from 6 June 2026 over Ebola. Existing residents and transit passengers are unaffected.

From 1 June 2026, Dubai adds 5% VAT to parking and Salik tolls, removes the visa overstay grace period, and introduces new beach rules. What changed.