The UAE Guides

16 Airlines Suspend Dubai Flights Amid Middle East Conflict

· 3 min read News
Dubai skyline with Burj Khalifa and waterfront

Contents

  1. Impact on Travelers
  2. Related Reading

At least 16 major airlines suspended or cancelled routes to and from Dubai International Airport (DXB) during the Middle East conflict that ran from February to June 2026, with several carriers extending those suspensions into the summer season. The situation was confirmed by multiple aviation industry sources and updated as recently as 9–10 June 2026. The US–Iran peace deal signed on 17 June 2026 led to most governments easing travel advisories, and the majority of carriers have since resumed normal operations — see our UAE travel advisory update for the latest status.

The suspensions span carriers from every major market. British Airways has paused all Dubai services until 25 October 2026 — effectively the entire summer. Cathay Pacific’s Dubai routes are cancelled through 31 August; Singapore Airlines has extended its suspension to 2 August; KLM is grounded on the Dubai route until 2 August; and Lufthansa, SWISS and ITA Airways are suspended until 13 September. Air France has paused Dubai flights until 17 June, with further extensions expected. Air Canada has cancelled its Dubai services through 7 September.

On 9 June 2026, the wider Middle Eastern aviation network recorded 20 flight cancellations and 185 delays across Doha, Dubai, Riyadh and Erbil combined, with Dubai International registering 71 delays in a single day — the highest of any hub in the region on that date.

Emirates and flydubai maintained normal schedules throughout the period, and cargo operations at DXB remained fully active. For travellers whose itineraries include connections through European, Asian or North American carriers, check your airline’s current status before travelling.

If you are planning a trip to the UAE, our Dubai airport guide has up-to-date advice on terminal logistics, transit procedures and alternative connections. For route planning, our 3-day Dubai itinerary and one-week UAE guide can help you adjust your schedule around current disruptions.

The regional situation stabilised following the US–Iran agreement in June 2026, with most airlines resuming normal Dubai schedules. British Airways remains an exception, having extended its Dubai suspension to 25 October 2026 due to insurance and airspace considerations. Check your airline directly for current scheduling.

Impact on Travelers

If your booking is with British Airways to Dubai, the most immediate step is to contact the airline for a full refund or rebooking option. British Airways has confirmed it will rebook affected passengers onto alternative carriers where codeshare agreements allow, or process full cash refunds without change fees. Given BA’s suspension runs to 25 October 2026, any booking through that date is affected.

For passengers with other suspended carriers — Cathay Pacific (until 31 August), Singapore Airlines (until 2 August), KLM (until 2 August) — the reinstatement timelines are more recent, and most are now operating or in final pre-return preparations. Confirm directly with your airline’s service desk rather than relying on automated status checkers, which may not reflect the most recent reinstatement decisions.

The key practical advice for anyone booking Dubai travel from now through the end of 2026: book flexible fares or add cancellation cover, and consider routing through hubs that remained fully operational throughout the conflict period — Istanbul, Doha, and Singapore were unaffected by the airspace closures and offer solid connectivity into Dubai International. Emirates and flydubai never suspended operations and provide the most consistent departure confidence from major origins.

Hotel cancellation policies in Dubai softened during the disruption and many properties still offer flexible booking terms for summer 2026. If your preferred dates shift because of a flight change, renegotiating accommodation terms should be straightforward at most mid-range and upper-end properties.