Flight disruptions are continuing in the Middle East this week, with regional airlines, including Emirates, Etihad, Flydubai and Air Arabia, experiencing delays and cancellations amid persistent political tensions.
While most of the conflict is concentrated around the Strait of Hormuz, two Iranian missiles were fired at UAE territory on Tuesday, 18 August, both landing offshore. This caused several delays and cancellations at Dubai International Airport, which are still reflected in flight schedules as airlines continue to review the fluid security situation.
The war, now in its sixth month, has reached a stalemate as the US continues to apply pressure with a naval blockade of the Strait, while Iran shows no sign of relenting. In lieu of a diplomatic settlement, Washington has announced plans to implement the “toughest sanctions in history” on Iran, calling on other nations to join in. Tehran has publicly condemned these threats. This comes after the UAE‘s decision to suspend all financial ties with its neighbouring country following Tuesday’s missile attack. Beyond the region, the conflict is also taking a toll on the global economy, with the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz driving up fuel prices.
Since the initial ceasefire agreement broke down in July, 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 as many families are planning their return ahead of the beginning of the new school term.
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 Friday, 21 August 2026
Which airlines are operating in the Middle East?
All airlines with flights into countries with restricted airspace are currently operating with reduced and limited schedules, including those 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, while its remaining two services to the country have been cancelled as 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.