More than 820 flights were delayed and 65 cancelled across the United States on November 13, 2026, reflecting widespread national travel disruptions. These delays and cancellations affected multiple U.S. airports, causing extensive operational challenges for passengers and airlines.
Middle East Security Concerns Impact UAE and Regional Routes
Heightened regional security tensions in the Middle East continue to disrupt air traffic between the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Israel. The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority has suspended flights operated by Iranian airlines, including Iran Airtour, Caspian Airlines, and Karun Airlines, indefinitely. Direct flights between the UAE and Israel remain operational but under strict restrictions, with Emirates and flydubai maintaining partial
suspensions on routes to Tel Aviv.
Saudi Arabia Flight Suspensions and Partial Restorations
Flights linking the UAE and Saudi Arabia, especially to Riyadh and Dammam, remain heavily affected. Etihad Airways has cancelled all passenger and cargo flights between Abu Dhabi and these cities through at least November 19, 2026. However, selected Abu Dhabi–Jeddah flights have resumed since November 6. Emirates has cancelled some Dubai–Riyadh and Dubai–Dammam services while partially restoring flights to Jeddah and Madinah.
Flydubai is slowly resuming some Saudi routes including Gassim, Ha’il, Jeddah, and Madinah, but flights to Riyadh, Dammam, Abha, Tabuk, Yanbu, and Neom remain unconfirmed. Air Arabia cancelled Sharjah flights to Abha
and Riyadh but continues to operate services to other Saudi destinations such as Dammam, Gassim, Ha’il, Jeddah, and Madinah.
International Airlines Extend Saudi Flight Suspensions
Numerous international carriers extended suspensions or postponed resumption of flights to Saudi Arabia due to ongoing security threats. IndiGo suspended flights to Jeddah and Madinah until November 21 and Riyadh and Dammam until November 30. Air India and Air India Express maintain suspensions through November 14, with Akasa Air delaying flights until November 30. Qatar Airways resumed Riyadh flights on November 13 and Dammam flights on November 14 but continues suspensions to Abha and Taif.
Other airlines with cancellations include Air
France (Riyadh flights suspended through December 12), British Airways (London-Riyadh resumption postponed to January 11, 2027), Cathay Pacific (Riyadh suspended until January 31, 2027), and Lufthansa (Riyadh flights cancelled until November 18 and Dammam until November 30). Delta Air Lines postponed the launch of its Atlanta–Riyadh route until March 2027. Philippine Airlines and Scoot cancelled flights to Riyadh and Jeddah through late November and early December respectively.
Several Gulf carriers such as flyadeal and Saudia redirected Riyadh services to Qassim Airport with bus transfers into Riyadh to manage disruptions.
Regional Conflict Drives Continued Flight Disruptions
Flight suspensions and cancellations stem from escalating regional conflicts, including drone
and missile attacks by Yemen’s Houthi movement on Saudi infrastructure. The Houthis claimed attacks on the East-West oil pipeline and Yanbu oil facility. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards reported destroying a U.S. radar system in Bahrain, further heightening tensions.
U.S. and Iranian officials continue diplomatic talks amid warnings from U.S. President Donald Trump to Iran not to target senior American officials. Security advisories from the UK, U.S., Canada, and Australia warn of threats to civilian airports and recommend high caution or travel postponement in affected areas, citing the risk of drone and missile attacks and airspace closures.
Passengers due to travel on
affected routes, particularly those involving Saudi Arabia and neighboring countries, face cancellations or altered airport arrangements and should expect ongoing disruptions.
