Turkey, UAE, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, And More Faces Major Setback In Middle East As 1124 Flights Delayed And 22 Canceled, Affecting Emirates, Saudia, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, And More In Dubai, Cairo, Jeddah, And Istanbul

Published on December 9, 2025

Turkey, UAE, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and other Middle Eastern countries are experiencing major setbacks as 1124 flights are delayed and 22 canceled, affecting airlines like Emirates, Saudia, Oman Air, and Qatar Airways at airports in Dubai, Cairo, Jeddah, and Istanbul, due to a combination of adverse weather conditions and technical issues. These disruptions have led to widespread chaos at major international hubs, with thousands of passengers facing long delays and cancellations. Airlines are working to rebook affected travelers, but the scale of the disruption is causing significant strain on airport operations. Passengers are being urged to check flight statuses regularly and to expect potential further delays as conditions continue to affect the region. The ripple effect is also impacting connecting flights, further complicating travel plans. With holiday travel season approaching, this situation is adding to the already high volume of air traffic in these busy airports.

The Middle East experienced severe disruptions in air travel yesterday, as a significant wave of delays and cancellations affected key airports and airlines across the region. With more than 1,100 delays and 22 cancellations, passengers found themselves stranded or facing lengthy waits. Major international hubs in cities such as Dubai, Cairo, Jeddah, and Istanbul were particularly hard hit, straining the operations of some of the region’s largest carriers including Emirates, Saudia, Qatar Airways, and Oman Air. These disruptions were a result of various operational issues, though weather conditions and logistical challenges likely compounded the problems.

A Challenging Day for Travelers Across the Middle East

Yesterday’s disruptions caused a ripple effect across several major airports, leading to the cancellation of flights and delays of varying durations. With passengers traveling on domestic and international routes, the knock-on effects of these delays were felt not just in the region but globally. The situation was exacerbated by high passenger volumes, especially given the busy holiday season, further contributing to the chaos in air travel.

The airports in Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, and the UAE saw the most significant impact. From Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport to Dubai International, travelers struggled to make sense of the delays, with flight schedules thrown into disarray.

The disruptions were widespread, affecting multiple carriers, airports, and destinations, including highly frequented routes for both leisure and business travelers. Below are detailed reports from the affected airports and airlines.

Airport-Specific Breakdown of Cancellations and Delays

The most impacted airports were in the Middle East’s busiest hubs. The following table shows the exact number of cancellations and delays, providing a closer look at how each airport was affected:

The airports most affected by the disruption included Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International, where nearly 60% of flights were delayed. King Abdulaziz International in Jeddah saw delays of around 38%, and Dubai International, the world’s busiest airport for international travel, also experienced significant delays (28%) despite being known for its efficiency. With such widespread delays and cancellations, many passengers found themselves stranded for hours, with limited communication or alternatives offered by airlines.

Airline-Specific Impact: Major Carriers Bear the Brunt

Several airlines, including Emirates, Saudia, Egypt Air, and Qatar Airways, were directly impacted by the disruptions. Here’s a detailed look at the number of cancellations and delays experienced by each carrier:

• Pegasus Airlines faced a significant challenge with 426 delays (66% of its scheduled flights), while Saudia also struggled with a 2% cancellation rate and more than 150 delays.
• Qatar Airways, although experiencing fewer cancellations (1), had over 150 delayed flights.
• Egypt Air, though a smaller carrier in terms of cancellations, was also impacted by delays on many routes, creating travel headaches for its passengers.

Weather and Operational Factors Contributing to the Chaos

While the precise reasons behind the disruptions have not been fully disclosed, weather-related delays in certain areas cannot be ruled out. The Middle East is known for its challenging weather conditions, including sandstorms, high winds, and occasionally torrential rains, which can affect both takeoff and landing procedures.

In addition to weather conditions, air traffic control delays and other operational issues, such as staffing shortages, played a significant role in the disruption. With major international hubs already under strain due to increasing passenger numbers, the combination of factors contributed to the widespread cancellations and delays.

What’s Next for Travelers and Airlines?

The airlines and airports in the Middle East will likely work to smooth out the disruptions over the next few days, but the travel chaos could continue as the holiday season approaches, increasing the demand for flights. Passengers with affected bookings are encouraged to check the status of their flights frequently and reach out to their airlines for alternative travel options.

For airlines like Emirates, Saudia, Qatar Airways, and others, the operational challenges underline the need for improved contingency plans and better communication with passengers. Airlines are also expected to review their operational protocols to ensure smoother handling of disruptions, including addressing staffing and maintenance issues, especially as the region gears up for a busy winter travel season.

Impact on Regional Travel and Economy

The flight disruptions not only caused inconvenience for travelers but also placed a strain on regional economies. With tourism playing a vital role in the Middle East, particularly in countries like the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, these disruptions had a ripple effect on local businesses, hotels, and services that rely on tourism. Airport lounges, hotels, and transport services in these regions were hit hard, and tourism boards may need to rethink their strategies for managing increasing demand amidst potential operational shortcomings.

Airports and Airlines on Alert for the Holidays

As the holiday travel season approaches, it is crucial for airlines to take steps to mitigate the potential for further disruptions. With many airports, including Dubai International and Cairo International, anticipating high numbers of travelers, ensuring operational readiness will be key to handling surges in passenger volume. It will be essential for airlines to communicate potential delays and cancellations to passengers in a timely manner and to ensure that adequate support systems are in place to handle disruptions.

The Middle East travel sector, particularly the air travel network, faces an uphill battle in dealing with operational challenges, as evidenced by the events of yesterday. While the airlines and airports are likely to recover from these disruptions, the incident raises important questions about the preparedness of air travel systems in the region, especially during peak travel periods. Moving forward, stakeholders in the region’s aviation sector will need to focus on improving operational efficiency, communication, and contingency planning to avoid future travel disruptions of this scale.

Turkey, UAE, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and other Middle Eastern countries are facing major disruptions as 1124 flights are delayed and 22 canceled, impacting airlines like Emirates, Saudia, Oman Air, and Qatar Airways at airports in Dubai, Cairo, Jeddah, and Istanbul due to adverse weather conditions and technical issues. These disruptions have caused widespread delays and frustration for travelers across the region.

As travelers prepare for the upcoming holiday season, it will be important to stay informed about any updates and changes to flight schedules, as airlines and airports work to restore normal operations.