Dubai Flights Disrupted as 15 Airlines Suspend or Postpone Services

Dubai-bound travel remains disrupted, with at least 15 international airlines suspending or postponing some services amid continuing Middle East aviation disruption. Dubai International Airport remains open and flights are operating, but travelers are facing a changing mix of delays, cancellations and route-level suspensions.

The situation is ongoing as of September 2, 2026. The impact differs by airline, route and travel date, and some announced suspensions apply to future periods rather than flights departing on September 2.

What Happened

Airline suspensions and postponements affecting Dubai services have been reported from February 28, 2026 onward. Current coverage identifies 15 international carriers involved when SWISS is counted separately from the Lufthansa Group: Virgin Atlantic, Air Canada, Finnair, KLM, Wizz Air, Singapore Airlines, Philippine Airlines, British Airways, Air Astana, Cathay Pacific, Lufthansa, SWISS, ITA Airways, airBaltic and Korean Air.

The disruption is not a complete shutdown of Dubai aviation. Dubai International Airport’s flight-status service remains active, and Dubai’s tourism authority says the emirate’s airports are open and operating flights.

However, Dubai International Airport was experiencing delays and cancellations on September 2. Affected services included flights operated by Emirates, flydubai, Flynas, Kenya Airways, SpiceJet, Ariana Afghan Airlines and Turkish Airlines. The status of individual flights can change, so the presence of an operating airport does not guarantee that a particular service will run as scheduled.

The timing of the airline measures also varies. Singapore Airlines says its Dubai services have been suspended since February 28 and that cancellations extend through October 24, 2026. KLM has confirmed suspensions through October 24, while Finnair’s stated suspension covers October 25, 2026 through March 27, 2027. Air Canada has confirmed a suspension through mid-January 2027. British Airways and SWISS have also confirmed Dubai-related suspensions or cancellations and published options for affected passengers.

What This Means for Travelers

Passengers should not assume that a booking to or from Dubai will operate simply because Dubai International Airport is open. The disruption is being handled at route and airline level, meaning one carrier may continue operating while another has suspended the same destination or travel period.

Travelers with imminent departures may encounter a delay or cancellation on the day of travel. Others with later bookings may be affected by a suspension that applies weeks or months ahead. The dates already announced show that some changes extend into the winter 2026-27 travel season and, in some cases, into early 2027.

Connections may also require particular care. A flight can be affected even when the airport remains operational, and a change to one leg of an itinerary may affect the rest of the journey. Travelers should therefore check the full booking rather than relying only on general airport information.

Passengers whose flights are cancelled or suspended may be offered rebooking or refund options, depending on the airline and the terms of the applicable notice. British Airways and SWISS have confirmed that affected passengers can access such options. The available choices may differ by carrier and itinerary.

The number of airlines involved should also be read cautiously. Reports may count airline groups differently, and the list has changed as schedules have been revised. The verified position is that at least 15 international airlines have suspended or postponed Dubai services, not that every airline serving Dubai has stopped flying.

What Travelers Should Do Now

Check the operating status of your flight directly with the airline before leaving for the airport. Use the booking reference and the specific travel date, since general statements about Dubai services may not reflect the latest position on an individual flight.

If your airline has contacted you about a cancellation or suspension, review its instructions for rebooking or a refund. Do not assume that a replacement flight is confirmed until the airline has issued updated booking details.

Travelers with connecting itineraries should check each flight sector and confirm how any change affects the onward journey. If the itinerary was booked through a travel provider, contact that provider as well as the operating airline where appropriate.

For airport information, consult Dubai International Airport’s live flight-status service and relevant official travel advisories. Airport status can confirm that facilities are operating, but the airline remains the best source for the status of a specific service.

If you are planning travel in the coming weeks or months, check again before departure. Several suspensions extend beyond the immediate disruption period, and airlines may revise their schedules or travel notices as conditions change.

What Is Confirmed

• Dubai International Airport remains open and operating flights.
• Delays and cancellations were affecting Dubai International Airport on September 2, 2026.
• At least 15 international airlines have suspended or postponed some Dubai services, with SWISS counted separately from the Lufthansa Group.
• Confirmed suspension periods vary by carrier, with some extending through October 2026, January 2027 or March 2027.
• The disruption is route-level rather than a complete shutdown of Dubai aviation.
• Travelers should verify their individual flight directly with the airline before travel.

Sources

Primary sources

• Flight Information
• Dubai travel and business advisory
• Latest travel news – Middle East operation
• Receive disruption updates during your journey
• Advisory on Singapore Airlines flights affected by the geopolitical situation in the Middle East
• Finnair suspends Dubai flights for the winter season 2026-2027
• Military situation in the Middle East
• Middle East Flight Operations – Updates

Independent reporting

• Middle East flights: Which airlines are flying and which remain suspended?
• UAE travel advisory: Flights delayed and cancelled at Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports
• Factbox-Airlines gradually restore Middle East services after Iran conflict
• Dubai and Middle East flight disruption: this major European airline has operated its first Dubai flight in six months
• UAE flight update: Emirates, Etihad, flydubai, Air Arabia cancellations as Iran tensions escalate

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 →