Flight disruptions are continuing in the Middle East this week amid an escalation in regional tensions. On Tuesday, 18 August, the UAE sent out its first missile alert since July 12 as two Iranian ballistic missiles were fired towards its territory, both landing offshore. This caused several delays at Dubai International Airport, which have continued into Wednesday as airlines review their schedules in light of recent hostilities.
The conflict, now predominantly concentrated around the Strait of Hormuz, has reached a stalemate as the US continues its naval blockade. Now in its sixth month, the war is taking a toll on energy prices as the strategic waterway effectively remains closed, with little sign of a negotiated diplomatic settlement.
Since the initial ceasefire agreement signed in June broke down, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain and the UAE have all faced missile and drone attacks, alongside Jordan. As a result, flights to and from Kuwait, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia are facing ongoing cancellations. Several international airlines have extended route cancellations to the Middle East after the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) renewed its conflict zone advisory for the Gulf, urging airlines to avoid airspace over the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar until 31 August. Air Canada and KLM are among those amending their flight relaunch dates.
As a result of the fluctuating situation, those travelling from, to, or through the region should remain prepared for possible flight disruptions, especially during the summer travel peak, with many families either leaving to escape high temperatures or planning to return for the end of the school holidays.
Emirates issued a special advisory for families travelling during this period, warning them to ensure they arrive at the airport at least three hours before their scheduled departure time, clear security with 90 minutes to spare, and be at their gate one hour before departure time. And with many international airlines still not flying from the region, those travelling on regional airlines can expect key routes into Europe, the US and Asia to be busier than usual.
Here’s what travellers with flights booked across the Middle East need to know right now.
This article was updated with the latest information on Wednesday, 19 August 2026
Which airlines are operating in the Middle East?
All airlines with flights into airports with restricted airspace are currently operating with reduced and limited schedules, including routes headed for Dubai International Airport, Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport, Bahrain International Airport, Doha’s Hamad International Airport, Kuwait International Airport, Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport and Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport.
Emirates: Emirates is now flying to 140 destinations across 72 countries worldwide, representing 97 per cent of its previous global network. More than 1,300 flights are operating each week – roughly 75 per cent of its pre-war capacity. The airline has reinstated one daily route to Bahrain, which appears to be running at the time of publication. Its route to Kuwait remains affected, but its website, which allows passengers to purchase tickets for the route, states that Flydubai is operating these flights. The Dubai-based carrier is advising passengers to “check your flight status, even after you have checked in” as the situation is fluid. For peace of mind, all Emirates customers with booked flights can now change ticket dates as many times as necessary without a fee. The airline is also offering comprehensive travel insurance to international passengers, which includes coverage for conflict-related expenses, a free 30-day trip extension, airline-managed hotel stays, and support during disruptions.