UAE flight updates today: Latest cancellations, delays and Dubai tourism plans

Dubai and the wider UAE are preparing for a busy November as the winter tourism season approaches, with new initiatives aimed at boosting repeat visitation and simplifying visas. Dubai has launched the Dubai Access Club, an invitation-only membership for repeat visitors, and tourists will be able to apply for single-entry and multiple-entry visas via Visit Dubai starting this month.

Air travel across the UAE remains affected by regional tensions, with multiple delays and cancellations reported at Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah airports. Services to Saudi Arabia are particularly affected, with Etihad Airways cancelling all Abu Dhabi–Dammam, Abu Dhabi–Riyadh and Abu Dhabi–Jeddah flights through November 5.

Dubai departures and overall seat capacity have seen changes, as British Airways is scheduled to resume flights to Dubai on November 3, contributing to ongoing schedule adjustments across carriers. Some other carriers have postponed or revised their returns, and Singapore Airlines extended suspensions on Dubai services until early 2027 due to the regional situation.

Dubai World Central (DWC) and Dubai International (DXB) have reported a mix of delays and cancellations, including individual flights to cities in Saudi Arabia, India, Russia, and Central Asia. Passengers are urged to check with their airlines for the latest status and to allow extra time for airport procedures.

At Abu Dhabi International Airport, arrivals are experiencing delays from cities including Tel Aviv, Paris, Lahore and Hyderabad, while no departure disruptions have been reported. Etihad has cancelled all Abu Dhabi–Dammam, Abu Dhabi–Riyadh, and Abu Dhabi–Jeddah services through November 5, with affected passengers advised to verify status on the airline’s site.