Flight disruptions at UAE airports continued on 28 August 2026, with flydubai cancelling its FZ845 service to Riyadh and Air Arabia cutting routes to Kuwait and Bahrain. UAE airports recorded more than 400 delays and 32 cancellations across the day, according to Gulf News.
What Changed on 28 August
The disruptions mark a notable shift for flydubai, which had maintained its full schedule throughout the extended period of regional turbulence. The Riyadh cancellation is the first confirmed flydubai route cut since tensions around Gulf airspace intensified earlier this year.
Air Arabia, which operates budget services from Sharjah, also pulled Kuwait and Bahrain departures from its schedule on the same date, citing the continuing regional security environment.
Emirates continues to operate normally across all routes and has made no announcements of service changes.
International Carriers Still Suspended
Several long-haul carriers show no sign of returning for September despite the EASA Gulf airspace conflict-zone bulletin expiring on 31 August:
- Air Canada has suspended Dubai services until mid-January 2027
- British Airways will not return to Dubai, Amman, Tel Aviv or Bahrain until 25 October 2026
- Singapore Airlines remains suspended until 24 October 2026
- KLM is suspended until 6 September 2026, among the earliest to confirm a return
Cathay Pacific and Aegean Airlines are on track to resume services from 1 September as planned.
What This Means for Travellers
If you are flying to or from Dubai or Abu Dhabi in the coming weeks, the advice is the same as it has been since July: check your specific flight number with your airline on the day of travel. Schedule changes continue to happen at short notice.
Dubai International Airport itself remains fully operational β all cancellations are airline-side decisions rather than airport closures. Emiratesβ extensive network continues to keep the UAE connected to most major markets even while individual carriers are absent.
For flexible bookings, consider routing via Emirates where alternatives are unavailable. We will continue updating coverage as September approaches and carriers confirm or revise their return plans.