Flying today from the UAE? Emirates, Etihad, Air Arabia, flydubai updates

Dubai: After weeks of disruptions, flight schedules across the UAE have returned to normal as of Monday, August 24, with most services operating as scheduled. Very few delays or cancellations are being reported.

Emirates, Etihad Airways, Air Arabia and flydubai are operating a mix of services to destinations including Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, but passengers should check their individual flight status before leaving for the airport as schedules can change at short notice.

The return from the summer holidays is also expected to make UAE airports busier, with Dubai authorities increasing operational readiness across airport checkpoints and passenger-processing areas.

The Middle East war has entered another day with Washington preparing additional sanctions against Iran, while diplomatic efforts continue and restrictions affecting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz continue to weigh on regional trade.

The US is expected to announce further sanctions on Monday. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has described the planned measures as the “toughest sanctions in history”, while Iran has condemned the move.

The US and Iran are currently neither exchanging fire nor holding peace negotiations.

Iran, meanwhile, is promoting closer economic and security cooperation with neighbouring countries as it seeks to reduce the impact of US pressure. Iranian Parliament Speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Tehran would seek to deepen economic ties with neighbouring states and encourage bilateral trade using national currencies rather than the US dollar.

More Emirates flight operations are normalising, with services to Kuwait now operating. However, some Bahrain flights remain cancelled.

Dubai–Bahrain:

Bahrain–Dubai:

Dubai–Kuwait:

Emirates flight EK434 from Dubai to Brisbane is delayed.

Etihad Airways has reported operational and technical delays affecting some services.

Flight EY406 from Abu Dhabi Zayed International Airport to Bangkok on August 24 has been delayed due to operational reasons. The return EY407 from Bangkok to Abu Dhabi on the same day will also be delayed.

Etihad also said flight EY042 from Amsterdam to Abu Dhabi on August 23 was delayed because of a technical issue.

Services between Abu Dhabi and Bahrain are operating as scheduled.

Abu Dhabi–Bahrain:

Bahrain–Abu Dhabi:

Abu Dhabi–Kuwait:

Kuwait–Abu Dhabi:

flydubai services to Kuwait, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia are operating, although passengers should check individual flight statuses as schedules remain subject to change.

The airline is also advising passengers flying from Dubai to allow four hours before departure.

Air Arabia continues to report cancellations and pending departures on several UAE–Bahrain, UAE–Kuwait and UAE–Qatar services.

Abu Dhabi–Kuwait:

Kuwait–Abu Dhabi:

Abu Dhabi–Bahrain:

Sharjah–Bahrain:

Bahrain–Sharjah:

Sharjah–Kuwait:

Kuwait–Sharjah:

Doha–Sharjah:

Sharjah–Doha:

Several international airlines continue to suspend or adjust services to and from Dubai and other Middle Eastern destinations.

These schedules are subject to change depending on the regional security situation and operational conditions.

Flight disruption is being driven by a combination of factors rather than a single issue.

The continuing regional conflict and restrictions affecting the Strait of Hormuz are keeping pressure on regional transport networks. Airlines are also continuing to adjust schedules as the security situation develops.

The post-summer travel rush is another factor. Dubai airports are preparing for increased passenger numbers as residents and visitors return from holidays, meaning travellers can also face longer processing times at check-in, security and immigration.

Indian airports are set to simplify the international departure process from September 1.

International passengers flying out of India will no longer need to have their boarding passes physically stamped at immigration counters, with the Bureau of Immigration moving to accept e-boarding passes on smartphones at all international airports.

The decision was communicated through an internal directive and reported by Hindustan Times, with the communication sent to airport operators and the Central Industrial Security Force.

For UAE residents travelling to India, the change means the physical boarding-pass stamping process at immigration will be removed from September 1.

With schedules changing at short notice and airports entering a busier post-summer period, passengers should: