Flights Cancelled Around The Middle East with 183 Cancellations and 1,274 Delays Disrupting Travel Across Doha, Jeddah, and 11 Other Airports

Flight operations across the Middle East and surrounding transit corridors have recorded 1,274 delays and 183 cancellations today, affecting passenger journeys across Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Qatar, and Jordan.
The majority of the flight cancellations are concentrated in Saudi Arabia, where escalating regional security tensions, including missile and drone strikes by Houthi forces targeting key aviation and energy infrastructure, have prompted airspace restrictions and schedule suspensions.
In Saudi Arabia, Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International recorded the highest total number of delayed flights (205), while Riyadh’s King Khaled International registered the highest number of cancellations (79). Among airlines, Turkish Airlines logged the highest volume of delayed flights, while Saudia recorded the highest cancellation total.

Middle East Airport Flight Disruptions Breakdown

King Abdulaziz Airport in Jeddah recorded a 28% departure delay rate and a 29% arrival delay rate. Antalya Airport reported a 24% departure delay rate and a 27% arrival delay rate, while Cairo Airport registered a 25% arrival delay rate. Sabiha Gokcen Airport recorded a 14% departure delay rate, while Dubai Airport reported a 16% departure delay rate and a 17% arrival delay rate. Istanbul Airport registered a 14% departure delay rate and an 11% arrival delay rate.

Airline Schedule Adjustments and Figures

Carriers operating across the region have adjusted their schedules in response to current airspace and operational conditions. While Turkish Airlines and Saudia recorded the highest overall numbers of affected flights, Air Arabia registered the highest delay rate (25%) and Riyadh Air recorded the highest proportional cancellation rate (20%).

Why Flights Are Delayed and Cancelled

The current flight adjustments across the Middle East stem from a combination of regional security measures and standard aviation management factors:

• Saudi Arabian Airspace and Security Protocols: Flight cancellations and suspensions across Saudi hubs—specifically in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Abha, and Buraidah—are linked to heightened regional security tensions. Cross-border drone and missile strikes by Iran-aligned Houthi forces targeting key aviation and energy infrastructure have required temporary airspace closures and precautionary timetable changes.
• Hub Congestion and Aircraft Rotations: At major connecting gateways such as Istanbul, Dubai, Cairo, and Doha, timetable changes frequently result from air traffic management restrictions, crew scheduling requirements, routine maintenance checks, and weather conditions. Because airlines utilize the same aircraft and crews across multiple daily sectors, an arrival delay at a primary hub often leads to knock-on adjustments for subsequent departures.

Practical Steps for Affected Passengers

If your travel plans involve departing from or connecting through any of the airports listed above, consider the following steps before leaving for the terminal:

• Verify your flight status early: Check your airline’s official website or mobile app for the latest departure times and gate information before heading to the airport.
• Turn on direct alerts: Enable SMS, email, and app notifications from your carrier so you receive immediate updates regarding timetable adjustments.
• Coordinate rebooking after a cancellation: If your flight is cancelled, contact your airline directly to review rebooking options, alternative routes, or refund eligibility.
• Check connecting flights and baggage: If a delay affects an onward flight on your itinerary, reach out to your carrier to confirm revised connection arrangements and verify how your checked baggage will be handled.
• Keep travel documents accessible: Have your booking confirmations, identification, and receipts ready at the terminal, and allow extra time for check-in and security screening.

Flight cancellations were also recorded across the Middle East yesterday. Read our previous report here.

The figures in this report were collected and reviewed using real-time records dated October 24, 2026, at 3:34 pm ET (October 25 1:04 am IST).

Primary source: FlightAware.

Verification Process: The editorial team reviewed and cross-checked the figures for accuracy. Timestamped records, flight-tracking logs and data-feed snapshots have been preserved to support reference and editorial transparency.

Note: Flight-tracking figures may change as airspace conditions and airline operations evolve. Subsequent updates from airports or airlines may therefore show minor differences.

Passengers are encouraged to verify their flight status, monitor schedule updates and consult the latest operational information from their airlines before travelling.

Verified by Somudranil Sarkar