On September 10, 2026, multiple airlines including Emirates, Etihad Airways, Air Arabia, and flydubai experienced flight delays and cancellations at Dubai International Airport and Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport. These disruptions affected regional routes, particularly to Bahrain and Kuwait, where some flights operated normally but short-notice cancellations and delays remained possible. Operational and weather-related issues contributed to delays, including a diversion of Etihad flight EY111 from Abu Dhabi to Barcelona, rerouted to Madrid.
International carriers adjusted operations amid rising regional tensions. Air France extended its suspension of flights to and from Dubai until September 15, 2026, citing security monitoring related
to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office lifted broad travel warnings for the UAE and neighboring hubs on September 10, but travelers were alerted that airspace and flight arrangements could change rapidly. Meanwhile, the US government maintained a Level 3 travel advisory for the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Oman, cautioning against non-essential travel due to risks from armed conflict, drone and missile interceptions, and commercial flight disruptions. Non-emergency US government personnel were ordered to depart the UAE.
Flight Operations and Airport Impact
Etihad Airways maintained mostly normal service to Bahrain and Kuwait on September 10, with flights
EY647, EY641, and EY645 to Bahrain operating as scheduled and EY553 departing for Kuwait. Operational delays affected EY473 from Jakarta to Abu Dhabi and EY400 to Bangkok. Air Arabia Abu Dhabi reported delays on seven flights including 3L763 to Tashkent, 3L714 to Tbilisi, and 3L020 to Kuwait. Emirates operated Dubai-Bahrain flights EK837 and EK839, and Dubai-Kuwait flight EK857 as planned, but advised passengers to verify flight status before traveling. flydubai flights to Kuwait and Bahrain operated as scheduled, with the airline advising passengers to allow at least four hours before departure and to complete online check-in.
At Sharjah Airport, Air
Arabia cancelled flights G9068 and G9124 to Kuwait as well as flight G9107 to Bahrain, while other Sharjah-Bahrain flights remained scheduled. Dubai Airports reported morning delays at Dubai International Airport, including flydubai flight FZ1211 to Tel Aviv and Emirates flight EK304 to Shanghai. According to flight-status data monitored at 9:08 a.m. local time, cancellations and delays suffered multiple causes, including the regional conflict, operational issues, and technical reasons.
Regional Conflict and Safety Measures
The ongoing conflict and security situation in the Middle East significantly influenced flight operations on September 10, 2026. Multiple explosions were reported along Iran’s coastal areas and near Saudi Arabia’s King Fahd
Air Base, exacerbating regional tensions. These incidents coincided with the highest reciprocal attacks on oil tankers and commercial vessels since the conflict began six months earlier, pushing Brent crude prices above $100 per barrel and Murban crude to $116.30 per barrel.
These events contributed to international airline suspensions and cautious flight scheduling in the Gulf region. Amid these tensions, flight disruptions at Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports reflected concerns over operational safety and regional airspace restrictions affecting airlines’ route planning and schedules.
Passenger Guidance and Travel Advisory Updates
Passengers traveling from Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports on September 10, 2026, were urged to confirm flight statuses
before departure because of unpredictable last-minute changes. Airlines recommended arriving three hours before departure or at least four hours for flydubai flights departing Dubai. Travelers were advised to complete online check-in whenever possible and allow additional time for immigration and security procedures. Airlines and airports encouraged passengers to monitor official channels for real-time updates on delays, cancellations, and route changes throughout the day.
The UK government relaxed broad travel restrictions for the UAE and Gulf hubs, but cautioned that the security situation remains volatile. The US government maintained a higher travel advisory level and instructed non-essential personnel and their families
to leave the UAE due to the elevated risk of conflict-related disruptions, including drone and missile activity. Canada and Australia also maintained advisories urging caution or reconsideration of travel to the UAE and adjacent countries.
