Flights Cancelled Across Middle East Airports Including Istanbul, Yanbu and More Affecting Travel with 66 Cancellations and 1,142 Delays

Written By: Indranil Mukherjee

Indranil Mukherjee

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September 11, 2026 03:59 GMT+5:30

Airlines reported 1,142 delays and 66 cancellations, disrupting regional and international travel operations at airports around the Middle East, including Yanbu, Istanbul, and others. Additionally, as airports handled extensive operational demand across major aviation hubs, passengers had to adjust their schedules. Major destinations were hit by the interruptions; airports in Saudi Arabia, Istanbul, and other Middle Eastern gateways reported interrupted services. Travelers experienced uncertainty as a result of airlines’ difficulties, which led to flight cancellations and delayed departures. Travel plans were impacted by disruptions at several airports, highlighting the continuous strain on the region’s aviation network.

Major Middle East Airports Record Heavy Flight Delays and Cancellations

Several key airports across the Middle East reported notable disruption levels, with delays concentrated at some of the region’s busiest aviation gateways.

In Israel, Ben Gurion International Airport recorded the highest number of delays among the listed airports, with 245 delayed flights and 3 cancellations. The airport also experienced a significant delay rate impact, making it one of the most affected locations in the region.

In Türkiye, major airports also faced substantial delays. Istanbul Airport recorded 193 delayed flights and 3 cancellations, while Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport reported 123 delays and 1 cancellation. Antalya Airport recorded 62 delays and 1 cancellation, highlighting widespread disruption across Turkey’s key tourism and international travel gateways.

The United Arab Emirates also experienced pressure at its major aviation hubs. Dubai International Airport recorded 158 delayed flights and 7 cancellations, while Al Maktoum International Airport reported 10 delays and 1 cancellation. Dubai’s position as a major global transit hub means operational disruptions can affect connecting passengers travelling between Asia, Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

Saudi Arabia also saw considerable disruption across multiple airports. King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah recorded 147 delays and 11 cancellations, while King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh reported 102 delays and 13 cancellations. Abha Regional Airport recorded 35 delays and 6 cancellations. Also, Yanbu Domestic Airport faces six cancellations and no delays.

Other Saudi airports recorded cancellations despite no reported delays. Gizan Regional Airport registered 8 cancellations, while Najran Domestic Airport recorded 4 cancellations.

Additional disruptions were reported at Kuwait International Airport, which recorded 38 delays and 1 cancellation, and Queen Alia International Airport in Jordan, which reported 29 delays and 1 cancellation.

Saudi Arabia, UAE, Türkiye and Israel See Highest Passenger Impact

The disruption data shows that several countries across the Middle East experienced aviation pressure, with the greatest impact concentrated in countries operating major international connections.

Saudi Arabia recorded disruptions across multiple airports, affecting passenger movement through Riyadh, Jeddah and regional destinations. King Abdulaziz International Airport, serving Jeddah and a key gateway for religious and international travel, recorded 147 delays and 11 cancellations. King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh saw 102 delays and 13 cancellations, the highest cancellation figure among the listed airports.

The United Arab Emirates experienced disruption mainly through Dubai’s aviation network. Dubai International Airport recorded 158 delays and 7 cancellations, while Al Maktoum International Airport reported 10 delays and 1 cancellation. These disruptions affected one of the world’s busiest international travel corridors.

Türkiye faced disruption across both Istanbul and Antalya airports. Istanbul Airport recorded 193 delays and 3 cancellations, while Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen recorded 123 delays and 1 cancellation. Antalya, a major leisure destination, experienced 62 delays and 1 cancellation, potentially affecting holiday travellers.

Israel saw the largest single airport delay figure, with Ben Gurion International Airport reporting 245 delays and 3 cancellations. Jordan and Kuwait recorded comparatively lower disruption levels but still experienced operational impacts.

Middle East Airlines Affected as Saudia, Pegasus and El Al Report Significant Delays

Airline-level data showed disruption across several major carriers operating in the Middle East region.

Saudia, Saudi Arabia’s national carrier, recorded 23 cancelled flights, representing a 4% cancellation rate, along with 100 delayed flights, accounting for a 17% delay rate.

FlyDubai reported 2 cancellations with a 0% cancellation rate and 56 delayed flights, representing an 18% delay rate. Dubai-based carrier Emirates recorded 1 cancellation and 83 delayed flights, with a 15% delay rate.

Among Israeli carriers, El Al recorded 1 cancellation and 82 delayed flights, with delays reaching a 46% rate, one of the highest delay percentages among the listed airlines.

Turkish carriers also experienced disruption. Pegasus Airlines recorded 1 cancellation and 153 delayed flights, with a 20% delay rate. SunExpress reported 2 cancellations and 47 delayed flights, with an 11% delay rate.

What Affected Passengers Can Do Now

Passengers facing delays or cancellations should first check their latest flight status directly through their airline’s official communication channels before travelling to the airport.

Travellers affected by cancellations should contact airlines regarding available options, including rebooking, alternative flights or other assistance based on airline policies. Passengers experiencing long delays should remain updated through airport information systems and airline notifications.

Those with connecting flights should review their onward travel arrangements, especially when travelling through major hubs such as Dubai, Istanbul, Riyadh, Jeddah and Ben Gurion. Allowing additional time for transfers and checking updated departure information can help reduce further travel difficulties.

Passengers should also keep travel documents, booking confirmations and communication records available when requesting support from airlines.

Middle East Aviation Network Faces Widespread Operational Pressure

The latest disruption figures highlight how delays and cancellations affected multiple aviation markets across the Middle East and surrounding regions. With 1,142 delays and 66 cancellations recorded across the listed airports, travellers experienced significant interruptions across major international routes.

From Dubai and Istanbul’s global transit operations to Saudi Arabia’s major gateways and Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport, the impact spread across both leisure and business travel networks. Airlines and airports continue to manage affected schedules as passengers seek updated information and alternative travel arrangements.

Data Verification Notice

The data has been extensively curated by our editorial team using real-time aviation figures recorded on 10 September 2026 at 5:45 pm ET USA (11 September 2026, 1:45 am GST).
Primary Source: FlightAware.
Verification Protocol: All statistics have been independently reviewed and cross-checked by our human editorial desk. Timestamped records, data logs and feed snapshots are securely archived internally to support historical accuracy and editorial transparency.
Note: Real-time flight-tracking figures reflect active airspace and operational data. Minor variations may occur when compared with information displayed at individual airport terminals or airline departure gates.

You can also explore our earlier coverage on Middle East flight delays and cancellations reported earlier. Read the complete update here.

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