Flights Disrupted Across The UAE As Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, And Ras Al Khaimah Delay 462 And Cancel 20 Flights, Disrupting Etihad, Emirates, Air Arabia, FlyDubai, SpiceJet, And Others

Written By: Ryan Rashid

Ryan Rashid

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July 14, 2026 4:28 AM

Image generated with Ai

Flight cancellations persisted across the UAE today, with 462 delays and 20 cancellations across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Ras Al Khaimah. Dubai emerged as the worst-hit airport, while Etihad Airways was the airline with the highest number of delayed flights, followed by Emirates, Air Arabia, FlyDubai, Air Arabia Abu Dhabi, and SpiceJet. Tensions linked to developments in Yemen and Saudi Arabia also added pressure to airline operations, contributing to knock-on disruptions alongside routine operational adjustments.

• Dubai experienced the highest disruption with 209 delays and 15 cancellations.
• Etihad Airways recorded the most flight delays overall with 119.
• Emirates, Air Arabia, FlyDubai, Air Arabia Abu Dhabi, and SpiceJet were among the airlines most affected by delays.
• FlyDubai registered the highest number of cancellations among airlines with 6, followed by Air Arabia with 4.

Worst-Hit UAE Airports

Dubai

Dubai recorded the highest level of disruption with 209 delays and 15 cancellations. The largest impact fell on FlyDubai, Emirates, and SpiceJet, while several international carriers, including Turkish Airlines, Kuwait Airways, and Ethiopian Airlines, also experienced delays.

Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi reported 155 delays and 1 cancellation. Etihad Airways accounted for the overwhelming majority of delayed flights, while Air Arabia Abu Dhabi, Air India Express, Egypt Air, Gulf Air, and IndiGo also faced operational disruptions.

Sharjah

Sharjah experienced 96 delays and 3 cancellations. Air Arabia handled most of the disruption at the airport, with additional delays affecting Air India Express, Fly Jinnah, and IndiGo.

Ras Al Khaimah

Ras Al Khaimah saw comparatively limited disruption with 2 delays and 1 cancellation. Air Arabia and IndiGo accounted for the affected services.

Airlines Most Disrupted by Flight Cancellations

FlyDubai

FlyDubai recorded the highest number of cancellations with 6, most of them affecting operations through Dubai.

Air Arabia

Air Arabia reported 4 cancellations, spread across Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah, alongside a substantial number of delayed flights.

SpiceJet

SpiceJet experienced 3 cancellations, all at Dubai, in addition to multiple delays.

Emirates

Emirates recorded 2 cancellations while also operating 89 delayed flights, making it one of the most affected airlines by schedule disruption.

Jazeera Airways

Jazeera Airways reported 2 cancellations at Dubai, although its overall delay count remained minimal.

What Can Impacted Passengers Do?

• Check your airline’s latest flight status before leaving for the airport.
• Allow extra time for check-in, security screening, and boarding if travelling through airports such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or Sharjah.
• Monitor airline emails, SMS alerts, and mobile apps for gate changes or revised departure times.
• Contact your airline promptly if your flight is delayed or cancelled to discuss available rebooking options.
• Keep essential medications, travel documents, chargers, and other necessities in your carry-on baggage.
• If your itinerary includes connecting flights, confirm that onward travel arrangements remain valid before departing.

What Is Causing Disruptions In The UAE?

Alongside normal operational challenges that can affect airline schedules, Saudi Arabia’s tension linked to Yemen has added pressure to regional aviation. An attack on the runway at Sanaa International Airport was followed by missile and drone attacks claimed by the Iran-backed Houthi movement against Saudi Arabia’s Abha Airport, after airstrikes they blamed on Saudi Arabia. While UAE airports have remained operational, these developments have contributed to knock-on schedule adjustments for some regional services.

Overview Of Flight Cancellations And Delays

The latest disruptions highlight how closely connected airline networks across the Gulf have become. When schedules are interrupted at one major hub, delays can quickly ripple through surrounding airports, affecting aircraft rotations, crew availability, and connecting passengers.
Etihad Airways, Emirates, Air Arabia, FlyDubai, Air Arabia Abu Dhabi, SpiceJet, Air India Express, and IndiGo all experienced operational pressure during the day, although the scale varied by airport. The heaviest disruption was concentrated in Dubai, followed by Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Ras Al Khaimah, with many travelers facing longer waits before departure or arrival.
While the majority of flights still operated successfully, the combination of operational constraints and heightened regional tensions created a challenging day for airlines and passengers alike. Travelers flying through Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Ras Al Khaimah are encouraged to continue monitoring official airline updates as schedules may continue to evolve.


Data Verification Notice

The Data is extensively curated by me with figures derived from Flightaware dated 13th July 6:41 PM ET

Primary Source: Real-time data aggregated via FlightAware.

Verification Protocol: Statistics are cross-checked by our human editorial desk. Timestamped logs and feed snapshots are securely archived internally to maintain historical accuracy.

Note: Real-time tracking figures represent active airspace data and may experience minor variances from local airport terminal gates.