Middle East Airports Face 43 Cancellations and 747 Delays Disrupting Travel at Bahrain, Abu Dhabi and More

Travel is severely disrupted at airports of Middle East due to 43 flight cancellations and 747 delays at major hubs, including Bahrain, Abu Dhabi and more regional gateways. Due to continuous operational adjustments, regional airspace concerns, route changes, and airline schedule revisions, the widespread disruptions have presented difficulties for travelers. Furthermore, as airlines examine flight movements and passenger services, major delays are being managed at major airports like Dubai, Riyadh, Jeddah, and Istanbul. Travelers are therefore encouraged to verify the most recent flight information prior to departure. The most recent interruption demonstrates how Middle Eastern airports are still under strain from shifting aviation conditions, which have an impact on travel arrangements throughout the region.

The disruption has affected major international gateways, including Dubai International Airport, Abu Dhabi International Airport, King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Antalya Airport and Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport. Several airlines operating across the region have also recorded delays and cancellations, impacting both domestic and international connections.

Among the affected airports, Dubai International Airport recorded the highest number of delays with 231 delayed flights and 7 cancellations. As one of the world’s busiest aviation hubs, disruption at Dubai can create wider effects for connecting passengers travelling between Asia, Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabian Airports Face Major Passenger Disruptions

The UAE aviation sector experienced some of the highest disruption levels in the latest data. Dubai International Airport reported 231 delays and 7 cancellations, while Abu Dhabi International Airport recorded 103 delays and 4 cancellations.

The impact was also visible across Saudi Arabia’s key airports. King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah registered 87 delays and 6 cancellations, affecting travellers passing through one of the country’s busiest gateways for religious, business and international travel.

Meanwhile, King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh reported 58 delays and 8 cancellations. Although Riyadh recorded fewer delays than Dubai and Abu Dhabi, it reported one of the highest cancellation numbers among the listed airports.

Other Saudi airports also experienced operational challenges. Abha Regional Airport recorded 16 delays and 4 cancellations, while Gizan Regional Airport reported 0 delays but 3 cancellations. Najran Domestic Airport recorded 0 delays and 4 cancellations, showing that cancellations were not limited only to major international hubs.

Türkiye and Gulf Airports See Additional Travel Pressure

Airports in Türkiye also faced disruption. Antalya Airport recorded 129 delays and 1 cancellation, making it one of the most affected airports by delay volume. The airport serves a large number of leisure travellers, particularly during busy holiday periods.

Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport recorded 79 delays and 2 cancellations, adding further pressure to Türkiye’s aviation network.

Elsewhere in the Gulf region, Seeb International Airport in Muscat, Oman, reported 27 delays and 2 cancellations, while Bahrain International Airport recorded 17 delays and 2 cancellations.

The disruption pattern shows that both major international hubs and smaller regional airports have experienced flight schedule changes.

Airlines Across the Middle East Report Delays and Cancellations

Airlines operating in the region have also reported significant operational impacts.

Saudia, Saudi Arabia’s national carrier, recorded 11 cancellations, representing a 2% cancellation rate. The airline also reported 44 delayed flights, accounting for an 8% delay rate.

Flydubai, based in the UAE, experienced one of the highest delay rates among the listed airlines. The carrier recorded 5 cancellations, with a 1% cancellation rate, while 107 flights were delayed, representing a 36% delay rate.

Oman Air reported 2 cancellations, equal to a 2% cancellation rate, along with 10 delayed flights, representing a 10% delay rate.

Fly Cham, operating from Syria, recorded 2 cancellations and 2 delays. Both figures represented a 33% cancellation rate and a 33% delay rate based on the provided data.

Turkish Airlines recorded 1 cancellation, with a 0% cancellation rate, but reported the highest number of delayed flights among the listed airlines. The carrier recorded 182 delays, representing an 11% delay rate.

Airport, City and Country Impact Analysis

The disruption affected multiple Middle Eastern aviation markets. The UAE experienced the largest airport delay impact, mainly due to disruption at Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Dubai’s 231 delays made it the busiest affected airport by delay numbers, while Abu Dhabi followed with 103 delays.

Saudi Arabia also faced considerable disruption across Riyadh, Jeddah and regional airports. Jeddah’s 87 delays and 6 cancellations affected travellers using the gateway for international journeys, while Riyadh recorded 58 delays and 8 cancellations, the highest cancellation figure among Saudi airports listed.

Türkiye’s airports also faced pressure, particularly Antalya with 129 delays and Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen with 79 delays. The impact highlights how disruption can spread across regional aviation networks connecting the Middle East, Europe and Asia.

What Affected Passengers Can Do Now

Passengers travelling through affected Middle East airports should take several steps to reduce disruption risks.

• Travellers should first check their flight status directly with their airline before leaving for the airport. Updated departure times, gate information and possible cancellations may change quickly during periods of operational disruption.
• Passengers with connecting flights should allow additional time between journeys, especially when travelling through major hubs such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Jeddah and Istanbul.
• Travellers affected by cancellations should contact airlines for rebooking options, alternative routes or available assistance. Keeping digital copies of booking confirmations and travel documents can also help speed up the process at airport service desks.
• Passengers should also arrive earlier than usual, as delays can increase congestion at check-in counters, security checkpoints and boarding areas.

With 747 delays and 43 cancellations recorded across the provided Middle East airport data, travellers are advised to remain updated and maintain flexible travel plans while airlines and airports manage ongoing operational challenges.

Data Verification Notice

The data has been extensively curated by our editorial team using real-time aviation figures recorded on 25 September 2026 at 5:09 pm ET USA (26 September 2026, 1:10 am GST).
Primary Source: FlightAware.
Verification Protocol: All statistics have been independently reviewed and cross-checked by our human editorial desk. Timestamped records, data logs and feed snapshots are securely archived internally to support historical accuracy and editorial transparency.
Note: Real-time flight-tracking figures reflect active airspace and operational data. Minor variations may occur when compared with information displayed at individual airport terminals or airline departure gates.

Yesterday, Middle East travel was disrupted with 53 cancelled flights and 939 delays. You can read the full coverage here.

Verified by Rana Pratap