Middle East Airports in Disarray as 25 Cancellations and 164 Delays Hit Amman, Tehran, Jeddah, Abu Dhabi, and More, with Royal Jordanian, Air Arabia, Saudia, Flydubai, Etihad Airways, and Others Grappling with Chaos!

Published on January 16, 2026

The Middle East’s air travel landscape is facing an unprecedented crisis, with major airports such as Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, Imam Khomeini International Airport in Tehran, King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Abu Dhabi International Airport, and Jinnah International Airport in Karachi experiencing widespread disruptions. A staggering 25 flight cancellations and 164 delays have hit the region’s travelers hard, leaving passengers stranded, frustrated, and uncertain about when they can continue their journeys.

Airlines including Royal Jordanian, Air Arabia, Saudia, Flydubai, Etihad Airways, and others have been forced to navigate an array of operational challenges that have significantly disrupted their flight schedules. With delays reaching up to 48 hours and cancellations severely impacting travel plans, passengers are facing mounting confusion and anxiety across these key Middle Eastern hubs.

A Closer Look at the Airports Affected: Chaos Spreads Across the Region

The impact of this crisis is most apparent in five of the region’s busiest airports, where large numbers of flights have been canceled or delayed, leaving passengers scrambling for alternative arrangements:

1. Queen Alia International Airport (Amman) – 6 Cancellations, 42 Delays
   Queen Alia International, the primary gateway to Jordan, has been one of the hardest-hit airports. Six flights were canceled, with another 42 delayed, leaving passengers stranded in long lines at check-in counters. Royal Jordanian, Jordan’s flagship carrier, has seen a significant portion of its fleet grounded due to the disruptions. With little information available from the airline’s staff, many travelers have found themselves without clear answers regarding their rescheduled flights.
2. Imam Khomeini International Airport (Tehran) – 8 Cancellations, 4 Delays
   Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport, a major transit point for flights between the Middle East and Europe, was also heavily affected by the ongoing delays and cancellations. With eight flights canceled and four delayed, passengers bound for destinations like Dubai, Istanbul, and Moscow were left in the dark, many unable to find suitable rebooking options due to the limited availability of flights.
3. King Abdulaziz International Airport (Jeddah) – 4 Cancellations, 48 Delays
   Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport, a vital hub for both business and religious travel, also reported a series of disruptions. Saudia, the national carrier of Saudi Arabia, was particularly impacted, with four flights canceled and 48 delayed. This caused massive bottlenecks at check-in counters and crowded waiting areas. The disruption has especially affected pilgrims traveling to Mecca for religious purposes, adding an emotional toll to the already stressful situation.
4. Abu Dhabi International Airport – 3 Cancellations, 46 Delays
   The Abu Dhabi International Airport, a major hub for Etihad Airways, saw its share of chaos with three cancellations and 46 delayed flights. Passengers traveling to popular destinations like New York, London, and Sydney found themselves delayed for hours or forced to search for alternative routes. While Etihad Airways has worked to provide some level of compensation, the volume of inquiries and the lack of available flights has left many passengers frustrated.
5. Jinnah International Airport (Karachi) – 4 Cancellations, 24 Delays
   Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport, one of Pakistan’s busiest, was not immune to the widespread disruptions. Four flights were canceled, and 24 experienced delays, creating a massive backlog in the terminal. Passengers bound for destinations like Dubai and Sharjah found themselves stranded, while the chaos at check-in counters escalated as more flights faced delays. The situation worsened due to inadequate communication from the airlines, further exacerbating the frustration among travelers.

Airlines Struggling to Manage the Crisis

Several of the region’s major carriers are at the center of the storm, struggling to manage the fallout from the disruptions. Royal Jordanian, Air Arabia, Saudia, Flydubai, and Etihad Airways have all been overwhelmed by the volume of cancellations and delays, leaving passengers frustrated with limited communication.

• Royal Jordanian has been particularly affected, with multiple flights canceled from Queen Alia International Airport. Despite efforts to accommodate stranded passengers, many have faced difficulties rebooking flights or receiving timely updates.
• Air Arabia, known for its low-cost flights, has faced similar issues, with multiple canceled services from Sharjah and Dubai, causing widespread dissatisfaction among travelers.
• Saudia, the national carrier of Saudi Arabia, has struggled to manage the sudden surge in demand caused by delays. With Hajj and Umrah pilgrims often on tight schedules, the disruption has added a layer of urgency and frustration for many.
• Flydubai and Etihad Airways have both been affected by delays across their international routes, especially long-haul flights, where passengers have faced delays of up to 12 hours or more.

The Frustration of Stranded Passengers

For the passengers caught in this web of cancellations and delays, the lack of clear communication and assistance has made the situation even more difficult. Many have expressed frustration with the airlines’ customer service, which has been overwhelmed by the sheer volume of inquiries and complaints. In some cases, passengers were left in long queues at check-in counters or waiting at gates without any updates on the status of their flights.

In addition to the inconvenience of waiting for rescheduled flights, many travelers are facing financial losses, particularly those with non-refundable bookings. Business travelers, leisure tourists, and religious pilgrims alike are all feeling the pressure of these disruptions, with some fearing they may miss important events or appointments due to the continued delays.

What Can Passengers Do?

For passengers still stranded or affected by the cancellations and delays, experts advise taking the following steps:

1. Stay in Communication with Airlines: Regularly check your flight status through the airline’s website or mobile app. Ensure that you stay in touch with customer service for updates on your rebooking options.
2. Know Your Rights: Many countries, including those in the EU and the US, have laws regarding compensation for long delays or cancellations. Familiarize yourself with these laws to ensure you receive the compensation you are entitled to.
3. Look for Alternative Routes: If possible, check for alternative routes through other airlines or airports. This may help you avoid the ongoing delays at your current airport.
4. Stay Patient: While the situation is undoubtedly frustrating, patience and persistence are essential. Airports and airlines are working to resolve the situation, though it may take time to get things back to normal.

Conclusion

The chaos that has unfolded at Queen Alia, Imam Khomeini, King Abdulaziz, Abu Dhabi, and Jinnah International airports underscores the vulnerability of the aviation sector to operational disruptions. With dozens of flights canceled and hundreds of passengers delayed, the Middle East faces a tough road ahead in restoring its reputation as a reliable travel hub. For now, passengers are left to navigate the confusion and uncertainty, hoping that their flights will be rescheduled and that the chaos will soon subside.

Source: Different airports and FlightAware