Published on
August 18, 2025
Saudia, Flynas, and Royal Jordanian Airlines are struggling with flight cancellations today, severely disrupting travel routes across Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, the Netherlands, and Jordan. Flynas has cancelled a number of flights and pushed back takeoff times for many more. Saudia is facing the same fate, with a mix of cancellations and delays, and Royal Jordanian is not far behind. Passengers on busy routes—talking about airports like Jeddah, Dubai, Cairo, Amman, and the Netherlands—are feeling the pinch. The ripple effect of these changes is clear: once-reliable schedules are now upside-down, and the usual travel routines are in turmoil.
Today, travelers are facing significant disruptions as Saudia, Flynas, and Royal Jordanian Airlines have cancelled multiple flights and delayed several others. Flynas has grounded 2 flights and delayed 20, affecting routes between Saudi Arabia and Dubai. Saudia Airlines has cancelled 1 flight and delayed 25, with major impacts on routes from Cairo and Riyadh to Jeddah. Meanwhile, Royal Jordanian has cancelled 2 flights and delayed 2 others, disrupting travel between Jordan, the UAE, Pakistan, and the Netherlands. These widespread disruptions are causing major travel headaches for passengers across Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Jordan, the Netherlands, and more.
Flynas Flight Cancellations
Flynas, a prominent low-cost airline based in Saudi Arabia, has been hit with flight cancellations that have affected key routes between Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Two of Flynas’s flights, identified as KNE505 and KNE506, were cancelled, leading to travel chaos for passengers.
KNE505 (A20N): Scheduled to depart from King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) in Jeddah to Dubai International Airport (DXB), this flight was supposed to leave on Monday at 03:50 PM (+03) but was cancelled without notice.KNE506 (A20N): This flight, which was to travel from Dubai International Airport (DXB) to King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED), was scheduled for Monday at 08:45 PM (+04) but also faced a cancellation.
Flynas, known for its affordable fares and robust routes, has left many passengers stranded with limited options for rescheduling, particularly those heading to Dubai from Jeddah and vice versa. The UAE and Saudi Arabia, two countries that are heavily connected through air travel, now face further logistical challenges, as travelers scramble to rebook flights on other airlines or seek alternate routes.
Saudia Airlines Cancellations
Saudia Airlines, the national carrier of Saudi Arabia, also faced major disruptions due to multiple flight cancellations that affected international routes between Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Passengers were caught off guard by the cancellations, with two key flights grounded on short notice.
SVA388 (A330): This flight was scheduled to depart from Cairo International Airport (CAI) in Egypt to King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) in Saudi Arabia on Sunday at 11:35 PM (EEST). The cancellation left passengers stranded in Cairo, as Saudia Airlines scrambled to provide alternate arrangements.SVA1027 (A333): This flight was supposed to depart from King Khalid International Airport (RUH) in Riyadh to King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) on Tuesday at 10:10 AM (+03). However, it was also cancelled, adding to the travel woes of passengers hoping to make connections within Saudi Arabia.
The cancellations have severely impacted the travel plans of those flying from Egypt to Saudi Arabia and within Saudi Arabia itself. These disruptions come at a time when both domestic and international travel demand is rising, placing further pressure on the airline and the airport authorities to provide swift solutions.
Royal Jordanian Cancellations
Royal Jordanian Airlines, a key player in the Middle Eastern aviation industry, also experienced significant disruptions with multiple cancellations affecting passengers traveling across various international destinations. Notably, Royal Jordanian has grounded two flights, causing severe disruptions for travelers heading to the Netherlands, UAE, and Pakistan.
RJA33 (A321): This flight was scheduled to depart from Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) in Amman, Jordan to Maastricht Aachen Airport (MST) in the Netherlands on Monday at 08:25 AM (+03). The cancellation left passengers stranded in Amman, forcing them to look for alternative routes via connecting flights or other airports.RJA34 (A321): The return flight from Maastricht Aachen Airport (MST) to Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) was scheduled for Monday at 02:10 PM (CEST), but it too faced cancellation, frustrating passengers hoping to return to Jordan from the Netherlands.
Further cancellations involved flights to the UAE and Pakistan, showing the widespread nature of the travel disruptions caused by the grounded flights:
RJA71 (A321): This flight, departing from Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) to Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) in Dubai, UAE, was scheduled for Tuesday at 08:10 AM (+03). The flight was grounded, affecting business and leisure travelers alike, many of whom had planned to attend events or meetings in Dubai.RJA71 (A321): The return flight from Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) in Dubai to Jinnah International Airport (KHI) in Karachi, Pakistan, was slated to depart on Tuesday at 01:35 PM (+04) but was cancelled as well. This cancellation left passengers stuck in Dubai or needing to make alternate travel arrangements.RJA72 (A321): This flight, departing from Jinnah International Airport (KHI) to Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC), was scheduled for Tuesday at 06:40 PM (PKT) but also faced cancellation. Travelers were left scrambling to find other ways to reach Dubai.RJA72 (A321): The final return flight from Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) to Queen Alia International Airport (AMM), scheduled for Tuesday at 08:55 PM (+04), was also cancelled, adding more confusion for passengers hoping to return to Jordan.Impact on Key International Travel Hubs
These cancellations have a profound impact on international travel hubs, with major airports such as King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Dubai International Airport, Cairo International Airport, and Queen Alia International Airport seeing a spike in stranded passengers. These disruptions are also felt in airports in the Netherlands, Pakistan, and the UAE, as travelers seek alternative routes to reach their destinations.
The affected routes are crucial for both business and leisure travelers. The airports in Jeddah and Riyadh are key gateways to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with passengers traveling for pilgrimages, business meetings, and tourism. Similarly, Dubai is a vital hub for travelers coming from Europe, Asia, and Africa, making these cancellations all the more significant.
Additional Impact on Tourism and Local Economies
The cancellations across these airlines are not just an inconvenience for travelers but also have a wider impact on the tourism and hospitality sectors. With tourism being a significant contributor to the economy in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Jordan, Egypt, and the Netherlands, flight disruptions lead to delayed or missed bookings at hotels, attractions, and events.
For instance, Jeddah, a key destination for pilgrims visiting the holy sites of Makkah and Medina, sees significant traffic from travelers who now face challenges in reaching the city. Similarly, Dubai and Abu Dhabi are major centers for business and leisure tourism, with conferences, exhibitions, and cultural events frequently relying on smooth air travel for international participation.
In Egypt, Cairo’s tourism sector could face setbacks as tourists traveling for cultural sites such as the Pyramids of Giza and Luxor might find their flights delayed or cancelled. Moreover, Royal Jordanian’s cancellations impact Amman, a gateway to the ancient city of Petra and other historical sites in Jordan, potentially deterring tourists from arriving on time for planned excursions.
What Passengers Can Do
For passengers affected by these cancellations, the immediate course of action is to contact the airline directly for rebooking or compensation. While many passengers are forced to look for alternative flights, others may opt for different modes of transport, such as rail or road travel, to reach their final destinations.
Airline staff at affected airports are working to provide passengers with information on how to proceed, but it’s advisable for travelers to stay updated through their airline’s official communication channels, including website alerts and social media pages.
The recovery from such widespread disruptions requires collaboration between airlines, airports, and regulatory bodies to ensure that flight schedules return to normal as quickly as possible. Passengers are encouraged to remain patient and understanding, especially as airlines work through a backlog of cancellations and rebookings.
The widespread flight cancellations by Saudia, Flynas, and Royal Jordanian Airlines have created a significant ripple effect on international travel across Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Netherlands, Jordan, and beyond. Travelers are facing delays, confusion, and disruption to their itineraries, with many left scrambling to find alternative arrangements. The impact of these cancellations goes beyond individual inconvenience, affecting local economies and tourism industries that rely on smooth air travel.
Saudia, Flynas, and Royal Jordanian Airlines are struggling with flight cancellations today, disrupting travel routes across Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, the Netherlands, and Jordan due to widespread operational issues. The cancellations and delays have left many passengers stranded, affecting key routes between major international airports.
As the situation evolves, it remains essential for passengers to stay informed and reach out to airlines for assistance. While the cancellations are frustrating, airlines will need to work hard to regain the trust and confidence of passengers who have been impacted by these disruptions.
