Hundreds Of Passengers Abandoned Across UAE As Dubai, Sharjah, And Abu Dhabi Delay 633 And Cancel 38 Flights, Disrupting Emirates, Etihad Airways, FlyDubai, 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 18, 2026 6:05 AM

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Hundreds of travellers across the UAE faced significant disruption after 633 flights were delayed and 38 were cancelled across Dubai, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi, creating long waits and unexpected itinerary changes for thousands of passengers. Dubai International Airport recorded the highest level of disruption, making it the country’s most disrupted airport. Among airlines, Emirates experienced the largest number of delays, followed by Etihad Airways, FlyDubai, Air Arabia, and Air Arabia Abu Dhabi. Other airlines affected included Air India Express, SpiceJet, Saudia, and IndiGo, as operational challenges continued to ripple across the region.

• Dubai International Airport was the worst-hit airport with 356 delays and 19 cancellations.
• Emirates recorded the highest number of delayed flights with 226, followed by Etihad Airways with 156.
• FlyDubai and Air Arabia experienced substantial operational disruption across their major hubs.
• Sharjah and Abu Dhabi also reported notable delays and cancellations, affecting regional and international travelers.
• Travelers are advised to monitor airline notifications before heading to the airport.

Most Affected Airports

Dubai International Airport

Dubai recorded 356 delays and 19 cancellations, making it the busiest disruption hotspot in the UAE. Emirates accounted for the largest share of delayed flights with 226, while FlyDubai reported 65 delays and 13 cancellations. Smaller disruptions also affected SpiceJet, Saudia, Air France, and FitsAir services.

Abu Dhabi International Airport

Abu Dhabi reported 210 delays and 6 cancellations. Etihad Airways was responsible for most of the affected operations with 156 delayed flights and 4 cancellations. Air Arabia Abu Dhabi, Air India Express, and IndiGo also experienced delays, while Air Seychelles recorded cancellations.

Sharjah International Airport

Sharjah experienced 67 delays and 13 cancellations. The disruption was concentrated around Air Arabia, which recorded 55 delayed flights and 13 cancellations. Air India Express also reported a small number of delayed services.

Why Flights Are Being Cancelled And Delayed?

Flight disruptions are being driven by a combination of operational challenges, aircraft rotations, crew scheduling constraints, air traffic congestion, and network-wide scheduling adjustments that continue to affect airline operations across the region. The ongoing Yemen–Saudi conflict is creating ripple effects across Middle Eastern airspace, while renewed US-Iran tensions are also contributing to broader operational pressures as airlines adjust routes, manage airspace restrictions, and absorb resulting scheduling impacts throughout their networks.

Airlines Most Affected by Flight Cancellations and Delays

Emirates

Emirates recorded 226 delayed flights, the highest of any airline operating through the affected airports. The carrier also reported 3 cancellations, reflecting widespread schedule disruption at its Dubai hub.

Etihad Airways

Etihad Airways experienced 156 delays and 4 cancellations, making it the second most affected airline as operations in Abu Dhabi slowed considerably.

FlyDubai

FlyDubai reported 65 delayed flights and 13 cancellations, making it the airline with the highest number of cancellations alongside Air Arabia. The disruption significantly affected passengers traveling through Dubai.

Air Arabia

Air Arabia recorded 55 delays and 13 cancellations at Sharjah, placing it among the hardest-hit carriers during the latest operational disruption.

Air Arabia Abu Dhabi

Air Arabia Abu Dhabi experienced 28 delayed flights, adding to the pressure on Abu Dhabi’s overall operations even though no cancellations were reported for the airline.

What Can Affected Passengers Do?

• Check your airline’s latest flight status before leaving for the airport.
• Allow additional travel time when heading to airports such as Dubai, Sharjah, or Abu Dhabi, as terminals may remain congested.
• Keep mobile notifications enabled for updates on gate changes, delays, or cancellations.
• Contact your airline promptly if your flight has been cancelled to discuss rebooking or refund options.
• Retain boarding passes, receipts, and travel documents in case compensation or reimbursement procedures become available.
• If connecting through another airport, verify onward flight schedules before continuing your journey.

Overview of Flight Cancellations And Delays

The latest disruption has affected travel across the UAE’s three busiest aviation gateways, with Dubai, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi all reporting significant operational impacts. Together, the airports recorded 633 delayed flights and 38 cancellations, disrupting both domestic connections and international services.

Among airlines, Emirates led the disruption with 226 delays, followed by Etihad Airways with 156, FlyDubai with 65, Air Arabia with 55, and Air Arabia Abu Dhabi with 28. Additional delays also affected Air India Express, SpiceJet, Saudia, and IndiGo, illustrating how the disruption extended across both full-service and low-cost carriers.

For travelers departing from or arriving in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah, the disruptions translated into longer waits, revised departure times, missed connections, and schedule adjustments. As airlines continue restoring normal operations across these cities, passengers are being encouraged to keep checking official flight information and remain prepared for further timetable changes.

Data Verification Notice

The Data is extensively curated by me with figures derived from Flightaware dated 17th July 8:32 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