UAE travel update today: Etihad, Air Arabia, flydubai and Qatar Airways cancel select Gulf flights

Dubai: A brief lull in the conflict between the United States and Iran has come to an end, with a fresh round of military escalation raising new concerns across the Gulf.

The biggest development overnight came after the United States said it intercepted a surprise Iranian ballistic missile attack targeting one of its military bases in Jordan, signalling that the fragile pause in hostilities may be over.

Despite the renewed tensions, commercial aviation across the UAE remains largely unaffected. Dubai International Airport, Abu Dhabi's Zayed International Airport and other airports across the country are operating normally, while airlines continue to monitor regional airspace and adjust operations where necessary.

Travellers are nevertheless being urged to check their flight status before leaving for the airport, as a number of regional routes remain suspended or cancelled for operational and security reasons.

Etihad Airways has cancelled flights EY653 and EY654 between Abu Dhabi's Zayed International Airport and Kuwait International Airport due to operational reasons.

The airline has advised affected passengers to ensure their contact details are up to date so they can receive SMS and email notifications with the latest flight information.

Separately, Etihad confirmed that flights EY575 from Abu Dhabi to Dammam and EY576 from Dammam to Abu Dhabi scheduled for July 28 were cancelled following the temporary closure of Dammam airport.

Saudia said all cancellations and schedule changes have now been updated in its booking system through the end of October 2026, allowing customers to continue making bookings.

The airline continues to advise passengers to check their flight status before travelling to the airport and not to proceed unless their flight is confirmed.

Qatar Airways continues to suspend passenger services to Bahrain, Erbil and Kuwait until and including July 31, 2026.

Although airport operations across the UAE remain stable, international aviation and government authorities continue to warn that the security situation across the Middle East remains unpredictable.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has extended its safety advisory advising airlines to avoid operating in the airspace over the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and parts of the Gulf of Oman until August 31 because of the continuing risks linked to military activity.

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office also continues to advise British nationals travelling in the region to prepare for possible flight cancellations, temporary airspace closures and wider travel disruption. Travellers are encouraged to monitor airline updates, follow instructions from local authorities and keep their travel plans under review.

The US Department of State has maintained its worldwide advisory urging Americans to exercise increased caution, warning that the security environment in the Middle East remains complex despite previous diplomatic efforts. Similar travel advisories remain in place from Canada and Australia.

Passengers with bookings on affected airlines should check directly with carriers for refund, rebooking or travel waiver options.