Iran war: Etihad, Air Arabia cancel Gulf flights

Etihad and Air Arabia cancel several flights on 31 July
Disruptions hit routes to Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia
Travellers must check flight status due to regional security

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Travellers flying to and from the United Arab Emirates on Friday, July 31, are being advised to check their flight status before heading to the airport

after Etihad Airways and Air Arabia cancelled several services to Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia due to operational reasons. The latest schedule changes come as airlines continue to monitor the evolving security environment across the Middle East and make operational adjustments where required. Despite the cancellations, Emirates and flydubai have not announced any significant disruptions and continue to operate their scheduled services. UAE aviation operations remain largely stable, although several regional and international carriers have adjusted routes and timetables because of ongoing tensions across the region.

Etihad And Air Arabia Announce Flight Cancellations

Etihad Airways confirmed the cancellation of selected flights between Abu Dhabi and destinations including Bahrain and Kuwait. Among the affected services are EY653 from Abu Dhabi to Kuwait and EY654 from Kuwait to Abu Dhabi. The airline said passengers impacted by the cancellations are being assisted with alternative travel arrangements.

Air Arabia also announced cancellations affecting multiple routes on Friday. The affected services include G9068 and G9124 between Sharjah and Kuwait, G9107 from Sharjah to Bahrain, G9195 from Sharjah to Abha, and 3L020 operating between Abu Dhabi and Kuwait. The airline has advised passengers to verify their booking status through its website or customer service channels before travelling.

Other Airlines Continue Operational Adjustments

While Emirates and flydubai continue to operate as scheduled, several regional airlines have implemented temporary restrictions. Qatar Airways has suspended passenger services to Bahrain, Erbil and Kuwait through July 31, while Saudia said all schedule changes and cancellations have been updated in its reservation system through the end of October 2026.

A number of international carriers have also extended suspensions on Gulf routes. British Airways has paused flights to Dubai, Bahrain, Amman and Tel Aviv until October 31, while Singapore Airlines, Air Canada, Cathay Pacific, Finnair and ITA Airways have extended suspensions on Dubai services until October 24. Other airlines, including Lufthansa, Swiss, KLM, Aegean Airlines, Air Astana, Philippine Airlines and Wizz Air, have also announced temporary adjustments affecting services across the region.

Longer Flight Times Expected

Although commercial aviation continues across much of the Gulf, airlines are increasingly avoiding sections of regional airspace because of security concerns. As a result, many flights are operating on longer routes, increasing journey times by up to three hours in some cases.

Passengers may also experience last-minute schedule changes, extended transit times at connecting airports and delays in baggage handling. Airlines continue to review operations on a daily basis as the regional security situation evolves.

Several governments continue to warn travellers about possible disruptions linked to the regional security environment. The US Department of State, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Canada, Australia and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have all advised travellers to remain alert to potential flight cancellations, temporary airspace closures and changing travel conditions.

Affected Etihad flights include:

EY653: Abu Dhabi → Kuwait (Cancelled)
EY654: Kuwait → Abu Dhabi (Cancelled)

Cancelled Air Arabia flights include: