**UAE Flights: Delays and Cancellations Amid Extended Suspensions by International Carriers**
*Dubai, UAE – 5 September 2024* – Flights operated by Emirates, Etihad Airways, Air Arabia and flydubai have experienced a mix of delays and cancellations at Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH). The disruptions come as Air France has extended its suspension of Dubai flights until 8 September, and Cathay Pacific has extended its suspension of Dubai and Riyadh services until 30 November.
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### Key Airline Updates
| Airline | Routes Affected | Status |
|———|—————–|——–|
| **Emirates** | Dubai–Bahrain (EK 837, EK 839), Dubai–Kuwait (EK 857) | Operating as scheduled; passengers urged to check the airline’s website for any changes |
| **flydubai** | Dubai–Kuwait, Dubai–Bahrain | Operating as scheduled; passengers advised to arrive four hours before departure and to check flight status |
| **Etihad Airways** | Abu Dhabi–Karachi (EY 299), Abu Dhabi–Delhi (EY 213), Abu Dhabi–Peshawar (EY 277), Abu Dhabi–Kochi (EY 331) | Delays reported on 5 September; earlier delays on 4 September included flights to Manila, Jeddah, Sochi, Warsaw and Milan |
| **Air Arabia** | Abu Dhabi–Cairo, Abu Dhabi–Kochi, Abu Dhabi–Thiruvananthapuram, Abu Dhabi–Ahmedabad, Abu Dhabi–Calicut, Abu Dhabi–Sialkot, Abu Dhabi–Multan | Several morning delays; passengers should confirm status directly with the airline |
| **Air Arabia (Sharjah)** | Sharjah–Kuwait (G 9068, G 9124), Sharjah–Bahrain (G 9107), Abu Dhabi–Kuwait (3L 020) | Flights cancelled; passengers advised to contact Air Arabia for rebooking and refunds |
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### Airport‑Wide Delays
– **Dubai International Airport** – Delays were reported on Emirates flights to Brisbane and Kochi, Ariana Afghan Airlines to Kabul, and SpiceJet services to Mumbai, New Delhi, Jaipur, Kozhikode and Kochi.
– **Abu Dhabi International Airport** – Delays on Etihad flights to Karachi, Delhi, Peshawar and Kochi.
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### International Carrier Suspensions
| Airline | Suspended Routes | Suspension End |
|———|——————|—————-|
| **Air France** | Dubai (all destinations) | 8 September |
| **Cathay Pacific** | Dubai, Riyadh | 30 November |
| **British Airways** | Dubai, Abu Dhabi | 25 October (reduced frequency) |
| **Singapore Airlines** | Singapore–Dubai | 24 October |
| **ITA Airways** | Dubai | 24 October |
| **Finnair** | Helsinki–Dubai | 24 October |
| **Philippine Airlines** | Manila–Dubai | 2 October |
| **AirBaltic** | Dubai | 24 October |
| **Korean Air** | Incheon–Dubai | Until further notice |
| **Pegasus** | Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah | Suspended |
| **Virgin Atlantic** | London–Dubai | For the foreseeable future |
| **Lufthansa, Eurowings, SWISS** | Dubai | 24 October (Eurowings to resume 1 November) |
| **Air Canada** | Dubai | Mid‑January 2027 |
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### Regional Context
The ongoing US‑Iran tensions remain a primary factor affecting flight schedules and airspace operations in the region. The United States has extended travel advisories for the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Oman to “Reconsider Travel” (Level 3), citing risks linked to armed conflict, drone and missile interceptions and significant commercial flight disruption. The UK, Australia and Canada have similarly adjusted their travel advice for the UAE and neighbouring Gulf states.
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### Passenger Guidance
– **Check Flight Status** – Verify the latest information on the airline’s official website or mobile app before heading to the airport.
– **Arrive Early** – Emirates and other carriers recommend arriving at least three hours before departure; flydubai advises four hours for Dubai departures.
– **Online Check‑in** – Complete
Article and image source: gulfnews.com
