E-Paper
Sign In
UAE and GCC travel update: Airlines suspend flights as conflict escalates
Several carriers have cancelled or adjusted services to destinations in the GCC, advising travellers to check the latest flight status before heading to the airport
- PUBLISHED: Wed 19 Aug 2026, 2:59 PM UPDATED: Thu 20 Aug 2026, 1:27 PM
While the brunt of the US-Iran war remains centred in and around the Strait of Hormuz, airlines continue to extend flight suspensions across the Gulf as security concerns persist.
Several international and regional carriers have cancelled or adjusted services to destinations including the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, while travellers are being advised to check the latest flight status before heading to the airport.
Recommended For You
This comes as the UAE suspends all trade and financial transactions with Iran after air defences dealt with two ballistic missiles, of which Iran denied involvement. Talks between the US and Iran have also stalled, with US President Donald Trump saying on Tuesday that plans for a ceasefire have come to an indefinite halt.
Here are the latest airline updates:
Etihad
Certain Etihad flights between Abu Dhabi and Bahrain will operate as scheduled, the airlines said.
However, flights EY641-EY642, EY645-EY646 and EY647-EY648 have been cancelled until 21 August. "We apologise for the inconvenience, our teams are doing their best to assist our guests with their travel arrangements, including reaccommodation on alternative services."
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.
Emirates
Emirates runs daily flights from Dubai International Airport (DXB) to Bahrain International Airport (BAH) through its flights EK839 and the return flight EK840.
Flights to Kuwait remain disrupted, with Emirates’ flight status showing no available information on flight updates.
Air Astana
The national carrier of Kazakhstan is extending its flight suspensions to Dubai, with flights from Almaty to DXB cancelled for the next few days.
Flights from Almaty to Doha have also been cancelled.
Air France
Air France flights to the UAE and other parts of the region have been cancelled since the start of the war, with the airline announcing earlier in July that it is extending its suspension of flights to the GCC.
Flights from the French capital to DXB will remain suspended until 25 August, where a scheduled AF 0662 flight is expected to fly from Charles De Gaulle (CDG) in Paris to DXB.
Other destinations that have been affected include:
Beirut, with the extension of suspended flights until September 1st, 2026.
Riyadh, with the extension of suspended flights until August 25, 2026.
“The resumption of operations will remain subject to an assessment of the security situation locally, which is rapidly evolving,” Air France said in a statement.
British Airways
Flights to and from Abu Dhabi, Amman, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai, Tel Aviv, and Riyadh are still cancelled or temporarily suspended as a result of ongoing certainty.
The airline said it is extending flexibility when booking, including giving a full refund or a no-fee change for bookings up until 31 October. This includes flights to or from the aforementioned destinations.
Air Canada
Flights to Dubai and Tel Aviv will remain cancelled until mid-January 2027. Initially, flights were suspended until October 24 of this year, but the Canadian airline extended it due to the ongoing escalations in the region.
The airline continues to fly to other destinations in the region, including Doha and Riyadh.
KLM
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines extended flight suspensions to Dubai, Riyadh, and Dammam until October 24.
It will resume flights between Amsterdam and Tel Aviv starting from August 25.
Hind Aldah is a business reporter based in Sharjah. In her spare time, you will find her playing classical guitar, painting amateur oil paintings, or crocheting the same old scarf that leads nowhere.