Dubai and Abu Dhabi Flights Face Delays and Cancellations

Source-checked update: This article brings together information checked against primary sources and independent reporting available at publication time. Full source links are listed at the end of the article.

Selected flights at Dubai International Airport and Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport are facing delays, cancellations and schedule changes during September 2-4, 2026. The disruption is taking place amid renewed regional military tensions and airspace-related operational changes, but both airports remain open and operational.

Travelers flying through the UAE should not assume that every service is affected. However, the situation remains fluid, and official travel advisories are urging passengers to confirm their flight status directly with their airline before heading to the airport.

What Happened

Reports on September 2 and 3 identified delays affecting arrivals and departures at both Dubai International and Zayed International Airport. Selected Emirates, Etihad, flydubai, Flynas, Air Arabia and other services were reported as delayed or cancelled.

An independent report said that nearly 20 flights across UAE airports were delayed or cancelled on September 3, including services involving Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. Etihad’s official flight-status information also recorded delays and cancellations affecting Abu Dhabi services during September 2-4, including flights to Manila and Milan. At least one cancellation was linked to an airport closure at the destination rather than a broad closure in Abu Dhabi.

Further updates on September 4 indicated that selected Emirates, Etihad, flydubai and Air Arabia flights remained delayed or cancelled. Dubai International and Zayed International Airport continued operating during this period.

The evidence points to targeted disruption affecting individual services and schedules, rather than a shutdown of either airport. Flight operations may change as airlines respond to airspace and regional conditions.

What This Means for Travelers

Passengers with bookings through Dubai or Abu Dhabi may encounter a delayed departure, a changed arrival time or a cancellation. The effect will depend on the airline, route and individual flight, so airport-wide conditions do not provide a reliable indication of whether a particular service will operate.

Travelers connecting through the UAE should pay particular attention to both parts of their itinerary. A delayed inbound flight can affect a connecting service even if the onward flight is still listed as operating. Those traveling to destinations where local airport conditions have changed may also face cancellations or amended schedules.

The airports themselves remain open and operational. This means travelers should not treat the advisory as confirmation that all flights are suspended, nor should they assume that normal airport operations guarantee that their own service will depart on time.

For passengers already at the airport, airline updates remain the most relevant source of information about rebooking, revised departure times and cancellation arrangements. Travelers who have not yet left for the airport should check their booking directly with the carrier first.

What Travelers Should Do Now

Check the status of your flight directly with the airline before traveling to Dubai International or Zayed International Airport. Use the carrier’s official flight-status information and review any messages sent to the contact details attached to the booking.

If your flight is delayed or cancelled, contact the airline for the latest instructions on rebooking or other available arrangements. Do not rely only on a general airport status update, as disruption is affecting selected services rather than every flight.

Passengers with connections should verify each sector of the journey and allow for the possibility that a change to the first flight may affect the rest of the itinerary. If the airline has issued a revised schedule, confirm the new details before making your way to the airport.

Travelers should also monitor updates from the relevant airline, airport or official travel authority throughout the journey. Conditions and schedules may change during the September 2-4 disruption period, particularly while airspace-related operational changes remain in effect.

If you are due to travel during this period and have not yet checked your booking, do so before leaving for the airport. A flight showing as operational can still be subject to a later schedule change, so continue checking until departure.

What Is Confirmed

• Selected delays, cancellations and schedule changes affected flights at Dubai International Airport and Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport during September 2-4, 2026.
• Reports identified affected services involving Emirates, Etihad, flydubai, Flynas, Air Arabia and other airlines.
• Nearly 20 flights across UAE airports were reported delayed or cancelled on September 3.
• Etihad’s official flight-status information recorded delays and cancellations involving Abu Dhabi services during the period.
• Dubai International and Zayed International Airport remained open and operational.
• Travelers are advised to verify flight status directly with their airline before travel.

Sources

Primary sources

• Flight Status Tracker – latest travel updates
• Dubai International Airport
• Dubai travel and business advisory
• Abu Dhabi Travel Advisory

Independent reporting

• Nearly 20 UAE flights delayed or cancelled after renewed US-Iran attacks
• Flying from UAE today? Emirates, Etihad, flydubai, Air Arabia flight cancellations and delays
• United Arab Emirates Travel Advice & Safety

Editorial note

This Travel News article was prepared by the VibrantGateways Team using publicly available information and primary sources where available. AI-assisted tools may be used during research and drafting, with publication subject to our editorial verification process.

Travel information can change quickly. Schedules, routes, prices, entry requirements, availability and other time-sensitive details should be confirmed with the relevant official provider or authority before making travel decisions.

Planning around this travel update?

✈️ Check current flight options, routes and availability.

Check Flights →

Some BookingTabs links may be affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Continue your journey

Inspired? Start planning your trip.

Move from inspiration to planning with BookingTabs — explore hotels, tours and travel options in one place.

Hotels Tours Travel planning

Plan with BookingTabs →