Published on
September 5, 2025
Emirates, Air France, Etihad, Cathay Pacific, Swiss, FlyDubai, and several other carriers were forced to cancel and delay flights today as heavy rain battered the Gulf region, creating widespread travel turmoil that left weary passengers stuck at Dubai, Bahrain, and King Khalid airports; the weather chaos turned three of the Middle East’s busiest hubs into overcrowded holding grounds where tourists and business travelers alike faced hours of uncertainty, missed connections, and disrupted plans.
Severe rainfall has caused massive travel disruption across the Gulf region today, with 187 flights delayed and 9 flights cancelled at three of the Middle East’s busiest airports — Dubai International, Bahrain International, and King Khalid International in Riyadh. Major airlines including Emirates, Air France, Etihad, Cathay Pacific, Swiss, FlyDubai, Gulf Air, and others were forced to delay or cancel flights, leaving thousands of passengers waiting for hours, many of them tourists caught in limbo during the peak travel season.
For many travelers, the downpours meant long queues, missed connections, and sleepless nights at departure gates. The airports, usually known for seamless connections, instead turned into hubs of confusion and frustration as airline staff scrambled to manage the mounting backlog.
Dubai International Airport: The Epicenter of Delays
Dubai International, the world’s busiest hub for international traffic, was the hardest hit. The airport recorded a staggering 146 delays and 3 cancellations in a single day. Carriers across the spectrum, from global giants to regional airlines, felt the impact.
Among the airlines disrupted at Dubai:
Emirates suffered 37 delays, around 7% of its schedule, underlining how even the flagship carrier could not escape the weather chaos.FlyDubai had 38 delays, approximately 10% of its operations, alongside 1 cancellation.Air India reported 9 delays with 40% of flights affected, while SpiceJet logged 9 delays with a higher disruption rate of 42%.IndiGo, a key low-cost player, saw 10 flights delayed.International airlines including Air France, China Eastern, Cathay Pacific, Swiss, Aeroflot, and Mahan Air were all forced into at least partial disruption.Regional carriers such as Gulf Air recorded 4 delays with 25% of its schedule impacted, while Kam Air and Yemenia had full cancellations on individual flights.
Passengers at Dubai described terminals packed with weary travelers, many of whom were holidaymakers trapped between connections, unable to reach their destinations. With heavy rain causing waterlogging near runways, operations slowed to ensure safety, further fueling the delay backlog.
Bahrain International Airport: Heavy Strain on Gulf Air
Across the waters, Bahrain International Airport also suffered the brunt of the storm. The airport recorded 19 delays and 3 cancellations. Here, the national carrier Gulf Air took the largest hit:
3 cancellations in one day.14 delays, about 9% of its total flights.
Other disruptions included:
FlyDubai with 2 delays (25% of operations).Air Arabia also facing 2 delays (25%).Even Emirates was not spared, with 1 delay at Bahrain.
The situation left many business and leisure passengers marooned in lounges, forced to wait for rescheduled flights. Reports indicated that rebooking was challenging as the storm had caused ripple effects across the Gulf.
King Khalid International Airport Riyadh: Saudia and Flynas Impacted
At King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, the disruption extended into Saudi Arabia’s capital. The airport recorded 22 delays and 3 cancellations.
Key airline impacts included:
Gulf Air again, with 2 cancellations (20% of its schedule).Saudia, the national carrier, managed 5 delays, though cancellations were limited.Flynas, Saudi Arabia’s budget airline, faced 8 delays — nearly 4% of its flights.Etihad Airways and EgyptAir each logged delays, alongside Badr Airlines, Nile Air, and Pakistan International Airlines.Qatar Airways also had a delayed flight, showing the widespread regional impact.
For passengers traveling into or out of Riyadh, the day brought uncertainty, with many tourists caught in travel gridlock as airlines juggled rescheduling while facing aircraft positioning challenges due to earlier Dubai delays.
The Numbers Behind the Distruption
When combining totals from the three airports, the disruption paints a stark picture:
Total delays: 187Total cancellations: 9
This breakdown makes it clear that Dubai International bore the worst of the storm, but ripple effects were felt across Bahrain and Riyadh as well. The figures highlight how a single weather event can paralyze not just one airport, but an entire regional aviation network.
Passenger Impact: Tourists Trapped in Transit
While statistics reveal the scale, the human side of the story is what truly underscores the disruption. Thousands of passengers — from families on holiday to business executives — found themselves grounded, marooned, and stuck in limbo.
At Dubai, holidaymakers en route to Europe, South Asia, and Africa missed onward connections, forcing many to camp overnight inside terminals. At Bahrain, queues stretched long as Gulf Air passengers scrambled to secure scarce rebooking slots. In Riyadh, stranded travelers described feeling cut off as hotels near the airport filled quickly due to sudden demand.
Why Heavy Rain Hits So Hard in the Gulf
While the Gulf is known for extreme heat, sudden heavy rains often trigger chaos. Airports in the region, though modern, can experience temporary waterlogging on taxiways and apron areas. This slows ground handling, increases turnaround times, and requires airlines to space out departures and arrivals for safety.
The latest storm underlined how even world-class hubs like Dubai, designed to handle tens of millions of passengers annually, can grind to a near halt when faced with extreme weather.
What This Means for Travelers
For those flying in or out of the Gulf, the message is clear: expect the unexpected during seasonal storms. Travelers caught in today’s delays were advised by airlines to stay updated through apps and SMS alerts. Some carriers offered hotel accommodation, while others handed out food vouchers as delays stretched into hours.
Practical tips for future travelers include:
Always allow long layovers when connecting through Gulf airports during seasonal weather changes.Keep essential items in hand luggage in case of overnight waits.Monitor airline apps closely for live updates.Consider travel insurance that covers delays and cancellations.
Airlines across Dubai, Bahrain, and Riyadh are now working overtime to clear the backlog. With 187 delayed flights in one day, rescheduling crews, aircraft, and passengers will take time. Aviation analysts warn that knock-on effects could last 24 to 48 hours, especially for long-haul flights.
Emirates, Air France, Etihad, Cathay Pacific, Swiss, FlyDubai, and other major airlines faced cancellations after heavy rain swept across the Gulf, leaving passengers caught in travel turmoil at Dubai, Bahrain, and King Khalid airports.
For passengers, patience will be tested. For airlines, the storm serves as yet another reminder of the fragility of even the most advanced aviation systems when weather intervenes.
