A new wave of flight disruptions is hitting Dubai and Abu Dhabi on 7–8 September 2026 following the eruption of Anak Krakatau in Indonesia on 7 September. The volcanic ash cloud is forcing changes to transit routing and crew positioning across multiple carriers serving the Gulf, compounding a disruption picture that has persisted since earlier in the year.
What Is Happening on 7–8 September
Air France has suspended its Dubai services through 8 September, citing Krakatau-related airspace constraints on South and Southeast Asian transit routes. Emirates and Etihad are reporting active cancellations across specific routes, with crew positioning affected by the ash cloud’s spread across Indonesian and Strait of Malacca airspace. British Airways, Singapore Airlines, and Cathay Pacific, which have been running extended suspensions of UAE services since mid-2026, remain off schedule with no confirmed return dates for the immediate period.
The disruption is distinct from the regional security situation that drove earlier cancellations this year. It arises specifically from volcanic ash affecting routing options for long-haul aircraft transiting through Southeast Asian corridors — a path used by a significant share of Gulf carrier traffic.
Who Is Most Affected
Passengers connecting through Dubai International or Zayed International Airport on routes that cross Indonesian or adjacent airspace are at highest risk. This includes services to and from Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia, and parts of East Asia. Travellers on Middle East–Europe routes that use crew based in Asia may also face secondary delays.
What to Do If You Are Travelling in the Next 48 Hours
We recommend checking your airline’s app or website directly for real-time status. Do not rely solely on booking confirmation emails, as cancellations may be issued with limited lead time. If you hold travel insurance, check whether volcanic disruption is a covered cause — see our UAE travel insurance guide for a summary of typical policy terms.
Passengers departing or arriving at Abu Dhabi should consult the Zayed International Airport guide for terminal contacts and rebooking desks. Those booked via Dubai can find airline contact details and transit information in our flights to Dubai guide.
Outlook
The duration of the disruption depends on Anak Krakatau’s activity and ash dispersal patterns, which are difficult to forecast. We will update this article as airlines issue revised schedules. Passengers with flexibility should consider delaying travel by 48–72 hours until routing is confirmed stable.