Image credit: Emirates/Website
Several major airlines operating in the UAE have announced a series of flight suspensions and cancellations in light of increasing tensions in the region and restrictions on airspace affecting various parts of the Middle East.
These measures have led to significant disruptions for thousands of travelers and the rerouting of various flights, with airlines prioritizing safety above all else.
Emirates suspends flights to various countries
Emirates Airline, based in Dubai, has temporarily halted all its flights to and from Iraq, Iran, Jordan, and Lebanon due to ongoing security concerns.
Destinations affected include:
Amman, Jordan, and Beirut, Lebanon — suspended until Sunday, June 22
Tehran, Iran, and Baghdad and Basra, Iraq — suspended until Monday, June 30
Read more about airspace restrictions affecting Iran and Iraq.
Travelers heading to Dubai with connections to these suspended destinations will not be permitted to travel from their point of origin until further notice.
Emirates has advised customers impacted by this situation to reach out to their travel agents for rebooking, or if reservations were made directly through the airline, to contact Emirates. Passengers are encouraged to check flight statuses at emirates.com and to update their contact information using the Manage Your Booking feature for timely notifications.
“We regret any inconvenience caused and are closely monitoring the evolving situation,” the airline stated. “The safety of our passengers, crew, and operations is our utmost priority.”
Etihad cancels flights to Tel Aviv, but resumes routes to Jordan and Lebanon
Etihad Airways from Abu Dhabi has also reported ongoing disruptions due to airspace limitations, especially affecting flights to Israel, Jordan, and Lebanon.
Flights between Abu Dhabi (AUH) and Tel Aviv (TLV) are canceled until June 17. However, services to Amman (EY 591/592) and Beirut (EY 581/582) will resume on June 15 with updated schedules for passengers who have existing bookings.
Etihad is rerouting several services as a result of the airspace restrictions and will not accommodate transit passengers flying through Abu Dhabi heading to canceled destinations.
“The situation continues to develop, which may lead to further delays,” the airline commented. “We are assisting affected passengers with alternative arrangements.”
Travelers should check etihad.com, the airline’s mobile app, or contact the Etihad Call Center for real-time updates.
Wizz Air halts flights to Tel Aviv and Amman
Wizz Air, a budget airline, has announced the suspension of all its flights to and from Tel Aviv and Amman until June 20, amid ongoing instability in the region.
Additionally, the airline cautioned that flights passing through affected airspace—including those to and from Abu Dhabi Zayed International Airport—might experience delays.
Passengers have the option for free rebooking or can request either a full refund in WIZZ credits or via their original payment method. Those who booked through third-party services should coordinate directly with them.
Wizz Air has urged customers to stay informed via its website, app, or notifications sent via email and SMS for the latest flight status and instructions.
“We appreciate our passengers’ understanding as we closely monitor the situation,” the airline added. “Safety continues to be our primary concern.”
flydubai cancels multiple routes
Flydubai has also suspended flights to several destinations due to the ongoing crisis and airspace constraints:
Until June 16: Jordan, Lebanon, Syria
Until June 17: Minsk (Belarus), St. Petersburg (Russia)
Until June 20: Iran, Iraq, Israel
Travelers connecting through Dubai International Airport (DXB) to affected areas will not be allowed to travel until further notice.
The airline recommends that customers manage rebooking options online and ensure their contact details are updated via the Manage Booking portal. Updates on flight statuses can be checked at flydubai.com.
“Some flights may experience reroutes or delays. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding,” flydubai stated, emphasizing its careful monitoring of the situation.
Air Arabia cancels numerous flights
Air Arabia, based in Sharjah, has announced widespread cancellations due to airspace restrictions and escalating tensions in the region.
On June 14, flights to Iran, Iraq, Russia, Armenia, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan were canceled.
These cancellations followed earlier suspensions on June 13 for flights to Iran, Iraq, Jordan, and several Central Asian and Caucasus countries.
Passengers transiting through Sharjah or Abu Dhabi to these destinations will not be allowed to travel from their originating airports until further notice.
Numerous other flights may also be rerouted or delayed as a result of the developing situation.