Emirates, Lufthansa, Etihad, Air India, Saudia, Gulf, KLM and More Suffer Multiple Delays and Cancellations Across Dubai, Abdulaziz, Abu Dhabi, and Ben Gurion Airport Amid Operational Challenges in the Middle East

Published on July 5, 2025

Multiple delays and cancellations have affected airlines such as Emirates, Lufthansa, Etihad, Air India, Saudia, Gulf Air, KLM, and more across Dubai International, King Abdulaziz, Abu Dhabi International, and Ben Gurion Airports today. These disruptions are due to significant operational challenges faced by airlines and airports, including staffing shortages, logistical issues, and technical problems. As a result, both domestic and international flights have been delayed or canceled, severely impacting travelers in the Middle East. This ongoing operational turmoil highlights the challenges of air traffic management in one of the world’s busiest aviation hubs.

The Middle East’s busiest airports have faced significant disruptions today as major airlines, including Emirates, Lufthansa, Etihad, Air India, Saudia, Gulf Air, KLM, and several others, reported numerous flight delays and cancellations. According to FlightAware, the operational challenges have caused considerable chaos at key international airports such as Dubai International, King Abdulaziz International, Abu Dhabi International, and Ben Gurion International. These disruptions have primarily affected passengers traveling between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, resulting in widespread frustration among travelers.

This article delves into the details of these delays and cancellations, highlighting the key airlines impacted and shedding light on the operational issues causing the setbacks.

Dubai International Airport (DXB)

Dubai International Airport (DXB) reported a total of 83 flight delays and 7 cancellations today, according to data from FlightAware. Despite efforts to manage the situation, operational difficulties led to significant disruptions across several airlines. FlyDubai, one of the major carriers at DXB, had 19 delayed flights, accounting for 5% of its scheduled flights, and 4 cancellations (1%). Other airlines like SpiceJet and Air India Express also experienced substantial delays.

Key Airlines Affected:

• FlyDubai: 19 delayed flights (5%) and 4 cancellations (1%)
• SpiceJet: 11 delayed flights (52%) and 1 cancellation (4%)
• Air India Express: 5 delayed flights (19%)
• Emirates: 18 delayed flights (3%)
• Mahan Air: 1 delayed flight (16%) and 2 cancellations (33%)

The operational challenges at Dubai International have been severe, particularly for airlines like FlyDubai and SpiceJet. FlyDubai alone had a significant number of delays, resulting in substantial disruptions for passengers. Emirates, a leading carrier at DXB, reported 18 delayed flights, impacting many international connections.

King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED)

King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah also experienced its share of delays and cancellations today, with a total of 21 flight delays and 2 cancellations, according to FlightAware. These operational issues were attributed to various factors, including staffing and logistical difficulties, which affected a number of major airlines operating at the airport.

Key Airlines Affected:

• Saudia: 4 delayed flights (1%) and 2 cancellations (0%)
• Etihad Airways: 2 delayed flights (25%)
• Flynas: 3 delayed flights (2%)
• Gulf Air: 2 delayed flights (25%)

Saudia, the national carrier of Saudi Arabia, experienced significant disruption with 4 delayed flights, though cancellations were minimal. Etihad Airways and Gulf Air, both prominent carriers in the region, also experienced a fair share of delays, affecting both regional and long-haul travel.

The operational issues at King Abdulaziz were less severe compared to Dubai but still presented challenges for passengers. With two cancellations and numerous delays, passengers traveling through Jeddah were affected, particularly on regional routes.

Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH)

Abu Dhabi International Airport, another major hub in the Middle East, faced 26 delays and 1 cancellation today. According to FlightAware, the delays were primarily linked to operational disruptions that impacted the smooth flow of air traffic. Etihad Airways, which is based at AUH, experienced the highest number of delays, followed by other regional carriers.

Key Airlines Affected:

• Etihad Airways: 16 delayed flights (5%)
• IndiGo: 3 delayed flights (10%)
• Aeroflot: 2 delayed flights (100%)

Etihad Airways, the flagship carrier of the UAE, was notably affected, with 16 delayed flights. This made up 5% of its daily scheduled operations. Other airlines, such as IndiGo and Aeroflot, were also impacted, with delays exacerbating the situation for travelers.

The delays at Abu Dhabi International were particularly disruptive for passengers on long-haul international flights, with many facing extended waiting times. The cancellation reported was attributed to operational issues that could not be resolved in time for the flight’s departure.

Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV)

Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv also faced significant disruptions today, reporting 10 delays and 3 cancellations. The airport, which serves as a critical gateway to Israel, struggled with operational challenges that affected multiple airlines.

Key Airlines Affected:

• FlyDubai: 0 delayed flights and 2 cancellations (10%)
• Ethiopian Airlines: 2 delayed flights (50%)
• Azerbaijan Airlines: 1 delayed flight (25%) and 1 cancellation (25%)

FlyDubai, a key low-cost carrier operating at Ben Gurion, had 2 cancellations, which significantly affected its passengers. Ethiopian Airlines and Azerbaijan Airlines were also significantly impacted by delays, with Ethiopian Airlines seeing 50% of its scheduled flights delayed.

According to FlightAware, the operational challenges at Ben Gurion were particularly pronounced for airlines that service both short-haul and long-haul routes, further complicating air traffic management at the airport.

Total Delays and Cancellations Across Airports

Most Affected Airlines: Delays and Cancellations

The operational disruptions significantly impacted several major airlines, with FlyDubai, SpiceJet, and Emirates among the most affected. Below is a breakdown of the most delayed and canceled airlines based on the given data:

Detailed Analysis

As operational setbacks continue to affect the flow of air traffic across key Middle Eastern airports, airlines such as FlyDubai, SpiceJet, Emirates, Air India Express, and Mahan Air were hit particularly hard with significant delays and cancellations. FlyDubai experienced 19 delays, accounting for 5% of its total operations at Dubai International, and 4 cancellations. SpiceJet, on the other hand, saw 52% of its flights delayed today, highlighting severe operational bottlenecks affecting the airline.

Emirates, known for its global network and key role in Dubai’s air traffic operations, had 18 delayed flights, amounting to 3% of its operations. While the airline managed to avoid cancellations, the volume of delays had a ripple effect on the broader aviation network, further complicating air travel across the region.

Saudia faced fewer cancellations but dealt with 4 delays, while IndiGo had delays in 25% of its flights across several airports. Airlines like Aeroflot, Azerbaijan Airlines, and Flynas experienced cancellations on a significant portion of their operations, with Aeroflot facing a 50% cancellation rate, further complicating the travel experience for passengers.

Emirates, Lufthansa, Etihad, Air India, Saudia, Gulf Air, KLM, and more have experienced multiple delays and cancellations across Dubai, King Abdulaziz, Abu Dhabi, and Ben Gurion Airports due to operational challenges, including logistical issues, staffing shortages, and technical difficulties, significantly disrupting travel across the Middle East.

Overall Impact Across the Middle East

The operational challenges across the Middle Eastern airports have resulted in widespread delays and cancellations, highlighting the vulnerabilities in the region’s air traffic operations. FlightAware reports that airlines including Emirates, Lufthansa, Etihad Airways, Air India, Saudia, Gulf Air, KLM, and others have faced disruptions, impacting both domestic and international travel.

The Middle East has long been a crucial nexus for air travel between Europe, Asia, and Africa. However, today’s disruptions have demonstrated how operational setbacks can ripple across the entire region, causing considerable inconvenience for passengers. The operational issues have affected flights traveling to and from major cities such as London, New York, Frankfurt, and Tokyo.

Travelers affected by the delays are advised to check with their airlines for the latest updates on their flights. Many of these airlines have already made efforts to accommodate delayed passengers, but the ongoing operational challenges suggest that further disruptions may occur as airlines work to resolve the underlying issues.

The operational challenges facing Dubai, Jeddah, Abu Dhabi, and Tel Aviv airports have caused significant delays and cancellations for major airlines operating in the Middle East, including Emirates, Lufthansa, Etihad, Air India, Saudia, Gulf Air, KLM, and many others. According to FlightAware, these disruptions have severely affected air travel, particularly between regional and international destinations. While airlines are working diligently to resolve these challenges, passengers are advised to remain in close contact with their airlines and stay updated on their flight statuses.

The situation underscores the vulnerability of air traffic operations in the region and the potential for widespread disruptions in the event of operational issues. As these challenges continue to unfold, travelers should be prepared for further delays and cancellations and take proactive steps to manage their travel plans accordingly.