Emirates flights EK004 and EK006 from London Heathrow to Dubai are cancelled on 9 September 2026 following a combination of a Heathrow air traffic control failure and regional airspace disruption triggered by Iran’s ballistic missile strikes on Jordan earlier in the day. Emirates is contacting affected passengers directly and offering rebooking.
What Caused the Cancellations
Heathrow experienced a partial ATC system failure on the morning of 9 September that reduced departure slots across multiple terminals, affecting several long-haul operators including Emirates.
Separately, Iran’s launch of approximately 20 ballistic missiles toward Jordan — of which Jordan’s air defence intercepted 18 — prompted Emirates to revise its regional routing risk assessment for Gulf-bound services. The combination of the Heathrow slot loss and the routing reassessment resulted in today’s cancellations of both Heathrow–Dubai departures.
What Emirates Is Offering
Passengers holding tickets on EK004 or EK006 departing 9 September can expect:
- Free rebooking on the next available Emirates service
- Hotel accommodation if needed for passengers who cannot travel today
- Full refunds for those who choose not to rebook
Passengers should contact Emirates customer service or use the Manage Booking function on the Emirates website. Rebooking desks are available at Heathrow Terminal 3.
Wider Disruption Context
Dubai International Airport (DXB) is operating normally. Inbound Emirates services from other origins are not affected by today’s Heathrow event. Passengers on Emirates flights from Dubai to Heathrow, or booked on other dates, should check their booking status via the Emirates app.
Emirates has been navigating a complex disruption period since mid-2026, including Krakatau ash cloud routing changes and regional security advisories. Today’s Heathrow cancellations are a separate issue from that ongoing situation.
For Dubai arrival information and connecting services, see our Dubai city guide and our UAE practical guide. Our UAE travel news page carries further updates as airline schedules are revised.