UAE Airports Stay Open but Emirates, Etihad Airways, flydubai and Air Arabia Cancel Kuwait, Bahrain and Amman Flights as Gulf Airspace Danger Escalates, Forcing Travellers to Recheck Regional Journeys and Prepare for Sudden Schedule Changes
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UAE airports remain open and continue handling international passengers, but travel across several crucial Gulf corridors has become increasingly unpredictable as Emirates, Etihad Airways, flydubai and Air Arabia cancel or adjust selected flights to Kuwait, Bahrain and Amman. The disruption has not developed into a nationwide aviation shutdown. Instead, it has remained concentrated around routes exposed to operational restrictions, reduced airport capacity and growing airspace-security concerns. Travellers departing from Dubai International Airport, Zayed International Airport and Sharjah International Airport are being advised to verify their exact flight number before beginning their journey.
The cancellations have emerged while aviation authorities monitor heightened risks connected with missile activity, drone operations, military interceptions and potential airspace closures across the region. Kuwait and Bahrain have received particular attention because of security developments and reduced operating conditions. Jordanian airspace has also faced an elevated warning following intensified military activity. Consequently, airlines are modifying schedules individually rather than withdrawing their complete regional networks. This means one service may be cancelled while another flight to the same country remains scheduled, delayed or rerouted, making real-time airline information essential for every affected passenger.
UAE Flight Cancellations Concentrate on Vulnerable Gulf Corridors
Etihad Airways has officially confirmed that EY653 between Abu Dhabi and Kuwait and return service EY654 are cancelled through 26 July 2026 because of operational reasons. The carrier has also cancelled its flights between Abu Dhabi and Bahrain from 23 to 25 July. Affected customers are being contacted through registered email addresses and mobile numbers, while alternative arrangements are being processed through the airline’s booking-management system.
Emirates has faced wider disruption involving Dubai services to Kuwait and Bahrain. Selected Amman operations have also been affected, including EK905 from Dubai on 25 July and EK906 from Amman on 26 July. However, other Amman services remain scheduled, underlining the selective nature of the disruption. Passengers should consult the Emirates flight tracker because statuses can change within hours.
UAE Airline Disruption Table
| Airline | Principal affected routes | Reported operating position | Immediate passenger impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emirates | Dubai–Kuwait, Dubai–Bahrain and Dubai–Amman | Multiple cancellations with some Amman services operating | Rebooking and longer connections may be required |
| Etihad Airways | Abu Dhabi–Kuwait and Abu Dhabi–Bahrain | Kuwait cancellations through 26 July and Bahrain cancellations through 25 July | Customers are being offered alternative arrangements |
| flydubai | Dubai–Bahrain and selected regional services | FZ029 cancelled while other Bahrain and Kuwait flights remained scheduled | Travellers must verify individual flight numbers |
| Air Arabia | Abu Dhabi/Sharjah–Kuwait and Sharjah–Bahrain | Mixture of cancellations, scheduled departures and status changes | Operations continue, but specific services remain vulnerable |
flydubai and Air Arabia Maintain Partial Regional Connectivity
flydubai’s disruption remains more limited than a full route suspension. FZ029 from Dubai to Bahrain was reported cancelled, while other Bahrain departures and return services remained scheduled. The airline continues operating a reduced network, with some aircraft using longer routes to avoid higher-risk airspace. This can increase flight duration and connection times at Dubai International Airport.
Air Arabia has reported cancellations involving Abu Dhabi and Sharjah services to Kuwait, alongside selected Bahrain flights. Nevertheless, the airline continues operating a substantial schedule from Sharjah. Some services initially described as not yet departed were later shown as scheduled or operating. Travellers should therefore distinguish between cancelled, delayed, estimated and awaiting-departure classifications.
Gulf Airspace Warning Raises Aviation Safety Pressure
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency has extended its active Gulf conflict-zone bulletin until 31 August 2026. The warning covers Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE and part of the Gulf of Oman. Covered operators have been advised to avoid the affected airspace because unpredictable military activity could expose civilian aircraft to missile overflights, drone interceptions, falling debris or accidental identification by activated defence systems.
A separate warning covers Jordanian airspace following intensified missile and drone activity. These official risk assessments explain why Amman operations may face sudden cancellation or rerouting even when airports remain open. The bulletins are aviation recommendations rather than declarations that every airport or airspace zone has been legally closed.
Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah Airports Continue Operations
Dubai’s official travel advisory confirms that its airports remain open and operational. Sharjah’s departure information also shows numerous Air Arabia and international services continuing throughout the day. Zayed International Airport remains active despite Etihad’s route-specific cancellations.
An open airport, however, does not guarantee that every scheduled flight will depart. Airlines may cancel individual rotations because an arrival airport has imposed restrictions, an intended flight path has become unsuitable or aircraft and crews have been displaced by earlier disruption. Passengers should never rely solely on an airport’s general operating status.
Kuwait and Bahrain Restrictions Create Wider Travel Consequences
Kuwait International Airport has been operating a reduced schedule, with Terminals 4 and 5 serving Kuwait Airways and Jazeera Airways while Terminal 1 remains closed. These limitations provide important operational context for cancellations by foreign carriers, although the UAE airlines have generally described their decisions as operational.
British travel advice currently recommends only essential travel to Kuwait and Bahrain because of the volatile regional situation. Canada advises against non-essential travel to the UAE, while Australia and the United States recommend reconsidering travel. These differences may influence insurance coverage, corporate travel policies and tour-operator decisions.
What Travellers Should Do Before Reaching the Airport
Passengers should confirm their flight through the operating airline’s website or application before leaving home. Contact details should be updated so cancellation and rebooking messages can be delivered quickly. Travellers with connecting flights on one reservation should review the entire itinerary, while those holding separate tickets must contact every airline involved.
Emirates generally attempts to rebook disrupted passengers on the next available connection. Etihad provides alternative arrangements through its booking system, while Air Arabia may protect passengers on another flight or offer a refund when it cannot provide transportation to the selected destination. Fixed compensation may not apply when disruption results from security risks or regional conflict, but refund, rerouting and care entitlements can still depend on the ticket and applicable law.
UAE Aviation Outlook Remains Operational but Uncertain
The immediate outlook is one of continued UAE airport activity accompanied by unstable regional schedules. Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah remain connected to major international markets, but Kuwait, Bahrain and Amman flights could change with little notice. The most accurate description is targeted disruption across sensitive Gulf corridors rather than widespread closure of UAE aviation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are UAE airports currently closed?
No. Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah airports remain operational, although individual flights are being cancelled, delayed or rerouted.
Which UAE airlines are affected?
Emirates, Etihad Airways, flydubai and Air Arabia have reported changes affecting selected regional services.
Which destinations face the greatest disruption?
Kuwait, Bahrain and Amman are the principal destinations identified in the current cancellation notices and flight-status reports.
Are all Emirates flights cancelled?
No. Emirates continues operating across its international network. Only selected regional services have been affected.
How long are Etihad’s Kuwait cancellations expected to continue?
Etihad has confirmed that EY653 and EY654 are cancelled through 26 July 2026.
Has flydubai suspended its Bahrain route completely?
No. FZ029 was reported cancelled, but other flydubai services between Dubai and Bahrain remained scheduled.
Is Air Arabia still operating from Sharjah?
Yes. Air Arabia continues running numerous flights, although selected Kuwait and Bahrain services have been cancelled or adjusted.
Why are Gulf flights being cancelled?
The changes are linked to operational restrictions and heightened risks involving missiles, drones, defence activity and possible airspace closures.
Can passengers receive refunds?
Refund eligibility depends on the airline, ticket conditions and applicable passenger-rights law. Affected customers should contact the booking provider.
Should travellers still go to the airport?
Only after confirming that their exact flight remains operational. A generally open airport does not guarantee an individual departure.
