UAE airlines cancel flights: As Israel-Iran tensions escalate, Emirates, Etihad, Air Arabia, Flydubai affected

Dubai: Major UAE airlines — Emirates, Etihad, flydubai, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, and Air Arabia — have announced extensive flight cancellations and route adjustments due to ongoing regional tensions and airspace restrictions.

Passengers traveling through Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah to destinations including Iraq, Iran, Jordan, and Lebanon are impacted and advised to check flight statuses and rebooking options without delay.

On Saturday, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) issued an urgent travel advisory urging Emirati nationals, residents, and visitors to stay updated by contacting their airlines amid the disruptions affecting Middle East air travel.

The advisory specifically addresses UAE nationals in Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Iran, and Israel, encouraging them to remain vigilant and register with the ‘Twajudi’ consular service for emergency support.

Abu Dhabi's Zayed International Airport has issued a travel advisory warning of ongoing flight delays and cancellations through June 15 and 16, following regional airspace closures triggered by reported military strikes. Passengers are urged to check with their airlines for the latest updates before travelling.

Here is the latest update on cancellations and changes from the UAE’s major airlines:

Emirates suspends key routes

Emirates has temporarily halted passenger travel on routes connecting Dubai with Iraq, Iran, Jordan, and Lebanon due to ongoing regional instability.

The airline announced the suspension of all flights to the following destinations:

• Jordan (Amman) and Lebanon (Beirut) through Sunday, 22 June 2025

• Iran (Tehran) and Iraq (Baghdad and Basra) through Monday, 30 June 2025

Passengers connecting through Dubai with final destinations in these countries, including those with onward connections via flydubai, will not be accepted for travel at their point of origin until further notice.

Customers affected by cancellations are advised to contact their travel agency for rebooking. Those who booked directly with Emirates should reach out to the airline for assistance.

Travellers departing from or arriving at Dubai International Airport are urged to check their flight status at emirates.com and ensure their contact details are updated via the Manage Your Booking section to receive timely updates.

Emirates apologised for the inconvenience, stating it continues to monitor the situation closely, with the safety of passengers, crew, and operations remaining the airline’s highest priority.

Etihad faces disruptions

Etihad Airways has cancelled flights between Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv through June 17 due to ongoing regional tensions and airspace closures. Flights to Amman and Beirut will resume on June 15 but only for passengers with existing bookings and on revised schedules.

Several other Etihad routes are being rerouted, and transit passengers connecting to cancelled destinations will not be accepted at their origin.

Travellers are advised to check flight status and expect possible delays. Etihad is assisting affected passengers and prioritising safety.

Highlights:

• Tel Aviv Flights: Suspended June 14-16; may resume June 17 or later.

• Amman and Beirut Flights: Resuming June 15 on revised schedule for existing bookings only.

flydubai cancels flights to multiple destinations

flydubai has temporarily suspended flights to and from the following destinations:

• Until June 16: Jordan, Lebanon, Syria

• Until June 17: Minsk, St. Petersburg

• Until June 20: Iran, Iraq, Israel

Passengers connecting through Dubai with final destinations in these locations will not be accepted for travel from their origin until further notice.

Wizz Air Abu Dhabi cancels flights

Wizz Air Abu Dhabi cancelled several flights on June 14 due to airspace closures. Passengers were notified via email and text, with options for free rebooking or full refunds available in credit or original payment methods. Those with bookings via agents are advised to contact them directly. Safety remains the airline’s top priority.

Air Arabia suspends flights to 10 countries

Air Arabia, based in Sharjah, has temporarily cancelled flights to and from ten countries, including Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Russia, Armenia, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan. Additional delays and reroutes may occur as the situation evolves. 

Air Arabia has announced the following flight cancellations:

June 16 and 17:

• All flights to Iran and Iraq.

June 15:

• Flights between Sharjah and Tehran, Mashad, Shiraz, Moscow, Yekaterinburg, Samara, Erbil, Baghdad, Najaf, Basra, Amman, Beirut, Yerevan, Tbilisi, Baku, Almaty, Tashkent

• Flights between Ras Al Khaimah and Moscow

• Flights between Abu Dhabi and Moscow, Yerevan, Tbilisi, Baku

• Return flights from these destinations to Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, and Abu Dhabi

Additional Information:

Several other flights may face delays or rerouting due to the situation.

Passengers connecting through Sharjah or Abu Dhabi with final destinations on these routes will not be accepted for travel from their origin until further notice.

Passengers urged to stay updated

These cancellations follow significant Israeli airstrikes on Iran and escalating regional tensions causing airspace closures across several countries. Passengers are strongly advised to:

• Regularly check airline websites and official communication channels

• Confirm bookings and contact details for real-time updates

• Reach out to travel agents or airline offices for rebooking or refund options

The airlines stressed passenger and crew safety as their highest priority and apologize for the inconvenience caused during this evolving situation.