Flights Cancelled Around The Middle East As Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Bahrain, And More Cancel 265 And Delay 1,139 Flights, Grounding Qatar Airways, Saudia, Air Arabia, And Others

Written By: Ryan Rashid

Ryan Rashid

Ryan Rashid writes news that people actually find and finish reading. Ryan has a knack for turning jargon-heavy updates into engaging journalism anyone can follow in under a minute. An English graduate from Calcutta University, he pairs sharp writing instincts with a solid grip on what makes a story travel online. He keeps a close eye on what's trending and what's about to, so stories land while they still matter. Underneath the fast pace, there's always solid research and clean editing holding it together.

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July 16, 2026 6:00 AM

Image generated with Ai

Thousands of passengers were grounded in the Middle East as 265 flight cancellations and 1,139 delays disrupted Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Egypt, and Bahrain. The most severe disruption unfolded at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, While Dubai International Airport once again recorded the highest number of delays.
Among airlines, Qatar Airways recorded the heaviest delays, while Saudia once again emerged as the airline with the highest cancellations, continuing a pattern of severe disruption over the last three days linked to the ongoing Saudi Arabia-Yemen hostilities. Other airlines experiencing notable operational challenges included Emirates, FlyDubai, Air Arabia, and EgyptAir.
Travellers also continued facing heavy disruptions at Abha, Doha, Riyadh, Sharjah, Cairo, Manama, Jazan, and Najran. The wave of cancellations and delays persist as the continuing security tensions linked to the conflict involving Yemen continue to affect flight schedules, particularly across Saudi Arabia.

• Dubai International Airport recorded the highest number of delays with 377.
• Jeddah experienced the most cancellations with 61.
• Saudia remained the most disrupted airline by cancellations for another consecutive day, with 158 flights axed.

Why Are The Disruptions Continuing Across the Middle East?

Flight disruptions across the Middle East have persisted as the Saudi Arabia-Yemen conflict continues to affect aviation across the region.
The latest disruptions follow an attack that damaged the runway at Sanaa International Airport. Yemen’s internationally recognized government said the strike was intended to prevent an Iranian aircraft from landing, while the Iran-backed Houthi movement blamed Saudi Arabia. The Houthis later said they launched missiles and drones toward Abha International Airport in response.
Although air travel has not been suspended, the ongoing exchange of attacks has prompted airlines to continue adjusting schedules. As a result, airports across Saudi Arabia, as well as major hubs including Dubai, Doha, Sharjah, Cairo, and Manama, recorded another day of significant flight cancellations and delays.

What This Means For International Travelers Connecting Between Europe, Asia And Africa

The Gulf’s largest airports—including Dubai, Doha, Jeddah, Riyadh, and Sharjah—serve as major connecting hubs linking Europe, Asia, and Africa. That means today’s disruptions can affect passengers even if neither their departure point nor final destination is in Saudi Arabia. A traveler flying from London to Bangkok, Paris to Nairobi, or Frankfurt to Mumbai, for example, may still face delays or missed connections if their journey passes through one of these hubs. Industry groups have also warned that renewed security concerns and operational adjustments across Gulf airspace can ripple through international flight networks, prompting airlines to modify schedules and routes to maintain safety.

Worst-Hit Airports In The Middle East

Dubai International Airport

Dubai recorded 377 delays and 14 cancellations, making it the busiest airport affected by delays today. Emirates accounted for the largest share of delayed flights, followed by FlyDubai, while several international carriers including SpiceJet, IndiGo, Saudia, and Qatar Airways also experienced operational disruptions.

King Abdulaziz International Airport

The airport in Jeddah recorded 61 cancellations and 98 delays, the highest cancellation total in the region. Saudia, flyadeal, and Flynas were responsible for the majority of cancelled services, while additional disruptions affected Gulf Air, FlyDubai, and Qatar Airways.

Hamad International Airport

Doha’s Hamad International Airport reported 248 delays and 7 cancellations. Qatar Airways handled the overwhelming majority of delayed flights, with smaller disruptions affecting Air India Express, IndiGo, and Etihad Airways.

Cairo International Airport

Cairo registered 154 delays and 4 cancellations. EgyptAir recorded the largest number of delays, while Nile Air and Air Cairo also experienced operational issues.

Sharjah International Airport

Sharjah reported 121 delays and 6 cancellations, with Air Arabia accounting for most of the delayed and cancelled flights at the airport.

King Khalid International Airport

Located in Riyadh, King Khalid recorded 107 delays and 54 cancellations. Saudia, Flynas, and flyadeal were the airlines most affected.

Airlines Most Disrupted by Flight Cancellations

Saudia

Saudia recorded 158 cancellations, by far the highest among all airlines. The carrier was heavily impacted across Riyadh, Jeddah, Abha, Jazan, Najran, and Manama, continuing to face widespread schedule reductions linked to the ongoing regional security situation.

flyadeal

The Saudi low-cost carrier cancelled 36 flights, with most disruptions concentrated in Jeddah, Abha, Jazan, and Riyadh.

Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways recorded the highest number of delays in the region with 232 delayed flights. Most disruptions were concentrated at Hamad International Airport in Doha.

What Can Impacted Passengers Do?

• Check your airline’s latest flight status before leaving for the airport.
• Allow additional travel time if flying through busy hubs such as Dubai, Jeddah, Doha, or Riyadh.
• Keep notifications enabled through your airline’s mobile app for schedule changes.
• Speak with airline staff promptly if your flight is cancelled to discuss rebooking options.
• Keep essential medications, chargers, travel documents, and a change of clothes in your carry-on baggage.
• If connecting through major regional airports, remain prepared for possible gate changes or revised departure times.

Overview of Flight Cancellations And Delays

Today’s disruptions extended across Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt, and Bahrain, affecting travel through major cities including Dubai, Jeddah, Riyadh, Doha, Sharjah, Cairo, and Manama.
Qatar Airways recorded the highest number of delayed flights in the region, while Emirates also experienced substantial delays from Dubai. FlyDubai, Air Arabia, EgyptAir, Flynas, flyadeal, Saudia, Gulf Air, and IndiGo also faced varying levels of disruption.
Although the most severe cancellation impacts remained concentrated in Saudi Arabia, delays were widespread across the UAE, Qatar, Egypt, and Bahrain, illustrating how regional security concerns can ripple through multiple aviation networks. For travelers flying to or from Dubai, Jeddah, Riyadh, Doha, and Cairo, airlines continue to adjust schedules as operational conditions evolve throughout the day.

Data Verification Notice

The Data is extensively curated by me with figures derived from Flightaware dated 15th July 7:52 pm ET USA

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. 

Travelers are advised to check respective airline and airports for more latest information and updates