Key takeaway: Several international airlines have suspended, cancelled or delayed their Dubai routes because of the ongoing situation in the Middle East, with some pauses running into August, September and October 2026. A few carriers, such as Air Astana, are gradually returning. If you have a booking, check your airline’s website or app before heading to the airport, as schedules are still changing by carrier and route.
Passengers flying to and from Dubai are facing schedule changes after a wave of suspensions that began on 28 February. The disruption stretches across Europe, North America and Asia, and policies on refunds and rebooking differ from one airline to the next.
Here is where things stand, which airlines are still paused, which are coming back, and what you can do if your flight is affected.
Why Dubai flights are being suspended
The pauses stem from the ongoing regional situation, with airspace risk still a concern across parts of the Middle East. Carriers are adjusting capacity cautiously, and several are routing around closed Iranian airspace.
For context on how the wider recovery has been moving, Dubai’s flagship carrier has been steadily rebuilding its schedule, as covered in our update on Emirates restoring its flight network in 2026.
European carriers: the biggest pullback
European airlines account for most of the current disruption.
| Airline | Dubai route status |
|---|---|
| Air France | Dubai (and Beirut) suspended until 17 June |
| KLM | Dubai suspended until 2 August |
| Lufthansa, SWISS, ITA Airways | Dubai suspended until 13 September |
| Eurowings | Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Amman suspended until 24 October |
| Wizz Air | Mainland Europe to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Amman paused until mid-September |
| British Airways | Dubai paused until end of summer, set to resume 25 October |
| Virgin Atlantic | Seasonal London–Dubai service ended early |
Beyond Dubai, Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines and Brussels Airlines have also suspended flights to Abu Dhabi, Amman, Beirut, Dammam, Riyadh, Erbil, Muscat and Tehran until 24 October. KLM’s Riyadh and Dammam routes are paused until 12 July. Wizz Air has cancelled flights to Medina indefinitely.
British Airways is expected to return with a reduced schedule on some routes, including Dubai.
Other long-haul carriers
The disruption reaches well beyond Europe:
- Aegean Airlines — Dubai flights cancelled until 31 August.
- Air Canada — Dubai (and Tel Aviv) cancelled until 7 September.
- Cathay Pacific — Dubai (and Riyadh) suspended until 31 August.
- Singapore Airlines — Singapore–Dubai suspended until 2 August.
Which airlines are returning
The picture is not uniform. Some carriers are restoring service while others stay cautious.
Air Astana is set to resume regular flights from Almaty to Dubai on 20 June, with Astana–Dubai services starting 10 July. Because of the closure of Iranian airspace, the airline has rerouted flights via Pakistan to maintain safety and reliability.
The Almaty–Dubai route is expected to move from limited weekly services to daily flights by 6 July, while Astana–Dubai will begin with three weekly flights from 10 July before expanding to daily by 3 August. Passengers holding rebooked tickets for departures up to 31 July can change to earlier flights free of charge — from 20 June for Almaty and 10 July for Astana.
What passengers should do
If you are booked on an affected Dubai flight, the single most useful step is to check your airline’s website or app before leaving for the airport. Schedules are changing by carrier and by route, so a flight listed yesterday may shift today.
If you are travelling this summer, also check whether your airline offers a refund, credit voucher, free date change or rerouting through another hub. Options vary by ticket type, travel date and where you bought the ticket:
- Aegean — affected passengers can request a refund or credit voucher, or change tickets through the call centre with no reissue charge or fare difference.
- Cathay Pacific — customers in the affected period may rebook, reroute or refund under its waiver policy.
- Air Astana — free changes apply for eligible rebooked tickets as set out above.
If your flight is cancelled outright, it is worth knowing your entitlements before you accept the first option offered. Our UAE flight cancellation and rebooking guide explains the choices airlines must give you, and our explainer on claiming compensation for flight delays in Dubai covers where you stand on longer disruptions. For those still travelling, our summer DXB airport tips can help you move through the terminal faster.
Frequently asked questions
Why are airlines suspending Dubai flights in 2026? The suspensions are linked to the ongoing situation in the Middle East and airspace risk across parts of the region. Carriers are reducing capacity and rerouting flights as a precaution, with the current round of disruption beginning on 28 February.
How long are the suspensions expected to last? It depends on the airline. Some pauses end in June, while others run until August, September or 24–25 October. Schedules remain subject to change.
Are Emirates and Etihad still flying? Local UAE carriers have been rebuilding their networks as airspace reopens. Always confirm your specific route directly, as individual flights can still shift.
Can I get a refund if my Dubai flight is cancelled? Often, yes. Airlines including Aegean, Cathay Pacific and Air Astana have set out refund, voucher, rebooking or rerouting options, though terms differ by ticket type and travel date.
What should I do before going to the airport? Check your airline’s app or website for your exact flight, and look at the rebooking or refund options available for your ticket before you travel.
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