UAE Flight Updates 8 November: flydubai Riyadh and Abha Suspended to 16 November, Emirates Cancels Dubai-Riyadh Flights

Sunday 8 November 2026 brings another busy day of flight changes for travellers in the United Arab Emirates. Gulf News published a live flight updates page at 07:07 GST, and it lists fresh cancellations from Emirates and Air Arabia alongside the latest flydubai and Etihad positions. The biggest change is the flydubai extension. The Riyadh and Abha suspension now runs until 16 November, a week longer than the earlier date of 9 November. The schedule brings Dammam flights back on 10 November. This article brings every confirmed change together in one place, so you can check your route fast and plan your next step with confidence.

All facts below come only from reports checked this morning. Gulf News, Gulf Today and Arabian Business supplied the details, and this article credits official information to its source throughout. Where the reports left a claim unverified, this article says so in plain words. Nothing here comes from guesswork, and no flight time or fare appears, because the sources published none. Use this page as your starting point, then confirm your own flight on the airline website or app before you leave for the airport. That final check still matters most on a day when schedules keep moving.

What has changed for UAE flights on Sunday 8 November?

Three things stand out today. First, flydubai pushed its Riyadh and Abha suspension out to 16 November, while Dammam gained a resumption date of 10 November. Second, Emirates and Air Arabia published new cancellation lists for today, covering Riyadh, Dammam, Jeddah, Abha and several international routes. Third, a few airlines are moving the other way, with British Airways already back in Dubai and more European carriers due to return before the end of the year. Our earlier report on the flydubai and Etihad Saudi Arabia flight changes covers the position as it stood on 6 November, and this article updates that picture with the latest confirmed facts.

Passengers should also note two wider changes. Iranian airlines face a suspension of UAE flights until further notice, and flydubai and Emirates still fly no Tel Aviv services from Dubai. Etihad still flies direct from Abu Dhabi to Tel Aviv. At the airports, Dubai International reported Flynas cancellations and several delays, while Zayed International advised early arrival during the Diwali rush. The sections below cover each change in full, route by route.

Which flydubai routes are suspended until 16 November?

The suspension covers Riyadh and Abha flights until 16 November inclusive. That date replaces the earlier suspension end of 9 November, so travellers who booked for the second week of November need to rethink their plans. The flydubai booking platform now shows Riyadh and Abha services from 17 November. Still, a bookable flight is not a guarantee that it will operate, because schedules can change again at short notice. Check the live status close to your travel date, and keep your contact details updated with the airline.

Gulf News reports the background to the disruption as attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and Abha International Airport, which killed and injured dozens of people. A flydubai spokesperson said the airline expects further adjustments to scheduled flights to Saudi Arabia. The carrier continues to monitor the situation, and it will notify passengers of schedule changes through its official channels. Gulf Today carried the same spokesperson message in its update of 7 November at 21:53, and Gulf News reported it on 6 November.

When will flydubai resume flights to Dammam?

The schedule brings Dammam flights back on 10 November. That is the first resumption date in the flydubai Saudi network since the suspensions began, and it gives Dammam passengers a clear date to plan around. The Riyadh and Abha suspension runs for a further six days after that, until 16 November inclusive. The reports name no resumption date for either city beyond the booking platform showing services from 17 November.

Five Saudi cities keep operating with flydubai today. Jeddah, Madinah, Gassim, Ha’il and Tabuk all have services running as normal, according to the reports checked this morning. If your destination is one of those cities, your flight should operate, but a status check is still wise before you travel. Schedules across the region keep shifting, and a route that operates today can still face a change tomorrow. The airline website and app carry the latest status for every flight.

What is the full route status for 8 November?

The table below pulls every confirmed route change into one view. It covers flydubai, Etihad, Emirates, Air Arabia and the Iranian carriers, plus the Tel Aviv position. Use it to find your airline and route at a glance, then read the sections below for the full detail, including flight numbers where the sources published them. Dates are inclusive unless the report states otherwise, and operating routes can still change at short notice.

Which Saudi cities can you still fly to from the UAE?

Five Saudi cities remain reachable by direct flight from the UAE today. Flydubai continues to serve Jeddah, Madinah, Gassim, Ha’il and Tabuk from Dubai. Air Arabia also operates from Sharjah to Dammam, Gassim, Ha’il, Jeddah and Madinah. Etihad resumed Abu Dhabi to Jeddah services on 6 November, with flights EY601, EY602, EY603 and EY604 now operating. Together, these routes give travellers real options, even while Riyadh, Abha and Dammam face limits on some airlines.

Jeddah is the strongest option for many travellers. Three UAE carriers serve it, and Etihad added four daily Jeddah flights back to its schedule on 6 November. Madinah also has three carriers, with flydubai, Emirates and Air Arabia all operating there today. If your final destination is Riyadh or Abha, however, a flight to Jeddah or Dammam may not help much, because the onward journey inside Saudi Arabia is long. Read the alternatives section below before you book a flight to a different Saudi city.

What did flydubai say about further changes?

A flydubai spokesperson said the airline expects further adjustments to scheduled flights to Saudi Arabia. That message appeared in both the Gulf Today update of 7 November and the Gulf News report of 6 November, so passengers should treat the current dates as the latest position rather than a fixed promise. The carrier continues to monitor the situation closely, and it will notify passengers of schedule changes through its official channels. Keep your phone number and email address updated in your booking, so any message from the airline reaches you fast.

The airline also advises passengers to check flight status regularly. That advice matters most for Riyadh and Abha bookings in the second half of November, because the booking platform already shows services from 17 November. A seat that is bookable today can still disappear if the situation changes again. If your travel is urgent, consider a route that is already operating, such as Jeddah or Madinah, and then continue your journey inside Saudi Arabia by road or rail where that is practical.

Which Emirates flights are cancelled on 8 November?

Emirates cancelled a full set of Dubai to Riyadh and Dubai to Dammam flights today. Emirates cancelled Dubai to Dammam flights EK823, EK827 and EK821, and Dammam to Dubai flights EK824, EK828 and EK822. The airline also cancelled Dubai to Riyadh flights EK815, EK819 and EK817, plus Riyadh to Dubai flights EK816, EK820 and EK818. That leaves no Emirates service on either route for today, so passengers booked on those flights need to contact the airline about their options.

Jeddah faces a partial impact. Emirates cancelled Dubai to Jeddah flight EK801, while EK805 and EK803 remain on the schedule. The airline also cancelled Jeddah to Dubai flight EK802, while EK806 and EK804 remain on the schedule. Medina is operating normally. Dubai to Medina flight EK807 has arrived, EK2537 is in flight, and EK809 remains on the schedule. Medina to Dubai flight EK808 has arrived, and EK2538 and EK810 remain on the schedule. One part of the same report showed no live flight status for Dammam and Riyadh, so check the Emirates website directly for the latest position before you travel.

What should Emirates passengers travelling to the US know?

Passengers travelling to or connecting through the US must complete an attestation confirming they have not visited the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the previous 21 days, unless they are exempt. Passengers need a printed copy before check-in. The Emirates travel updates list this as a new requirement, so build extra time into your airport journey. Arriving without the printed attestation could delay your check-in, and the airline states the requirement plainly for all affected passengers.

The UAE also restricts entry to travellers recently in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda or South Sudan, unless they have been outside these countries for more than 21 days. Check the full entry rules before you book, especially if your journey involves more than one country. Meanwhile, Emirates has temporarily closed its First Class Lounge at Terminal 3, Concourse C. Passengers can use the Concourse B lounge instead, so head there if you hold First Class lounge access.

Which Air Arabia flights are cancelled on 8 November?

Air Arabia cancelled several Saudi services from Sharjah today. Air Arabia cancelled Sharjah to Abha flight G9195 and Abha to Sharjah flight G9196. The airline also cancelled Sharjah to Riyadh flights G9151 and G9154, plus Riyadh to Sharjah flights G9152 and G9155. Air Arabia also cancelled Jizan flights G9398 and G9399, plus Sharjah to Tabuk flights G9191 and G9192. That covers a wide set of cancellations, so Sharjah passengers should check their booking before leaving home.

Five Saudi routes from Sharjah still operate. Flights to Dammam, Gassim, Ha’il, Jeddah and Madinah continue as scheduled. No flight status information is currently available for Al Jouf, so passengers on that route should contact the airline directly. Air Arabia also cancelled a long list of international flights today, including services to Dhaka, Colombo, Chattogram, Sohag, Athens, Amman, Kuwait, Beirut, Damascus, Bangkok, Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen, Entebbe and Tashkent. Sohag to Sharjah flight G9618 arrived early at 5.49am, which shows that some services on the same network still operated.

What is the position on flights between the UAE and Iran?

The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority has suspended flights operated by Iranian airlines to and from the UAE until further notice. The suspension affects Iran Airtour, Caspian Airlines and Karun Airlines. The reports name no end date, so passengers booked on any of these carriers should not expect their flight to operate. Contact your travel provider for rebooking and refund arrangements, and do so soon, because the suspension has no stated time limit.

This is a separate measure from the Saudi Arabia suspensions. It comes from the UAE aviation authority, and it applies only to flights operated by Iranian airlines. The reports checked today name no other airlines flying between the UAE and Iran, so this article makes no claim about them. If you hold a ticket with Iran Airtour, Caspian Airlines or Karun Airlines, speak to the airline or your travel agent first, and keep a record of every message you receive about your booking.

What is the position on flights between the UAE and Israel?

Two UAE carriers keep Tel Aviv services from Dubai suspended. Flydubai keeps Dubai to Tel Aviv services suspended through at least late November, and Emirates does the same with its Dubai to Tel Aviv services, along with the related codeshare arrangements. The two airlines also keep their codeshare flights to Tel Aviv suspended until further notice. Passengers booked on any of these services should contact the airline, because the reports checked today confirm no resumption date.

Abu Dhabi still offers a direct link. Etihad continues to operate direct flights from Abu Dhabi to Tel Aviv, so travellers who need to reach Israel can consider that route. Israeli carriers El Al and Arkia continue to face delays or suspensions linked to security and landing-permit discussions. The picture is mixed, so check the operating carrier before you book, and confirm the status again on the day of travel. A route that the schedule lists as operating can still change at short notice.

How are Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports coping today?

Dubai International Airport reported six Flynas cancellations to Riyadh and Gassim today. Delays also affected several international arrivals and departures. Delays hit flights to New Delhi on SpiceJet, Krasnodar on Aeroflot, Nairobi on Kenya Airways and Islamabad on Airblue. If you are flying from Dubai today, allow extra time at the airport and check your flight status before you set off. Delays on one route can also affect connecting flights, so leave a generous gap between services.

Zayed International Airport advised travellers to arrive early, particularly during the Diwali rush. The airport is hosting Diwali celebrations from 7 to 11 November, with festive activities and a treasure hunt offering visitors a chance to win a gold bar. UAE residents can join without a flight ticket, but they must obtain an airport visitor pass and pre-book an entry slot. Our Diwali 2026 celebrations guide covers the wider festivities across the Emirates. Before you head out, also check the UAE weather today 8 November update, because conditions can add to airport delays on a busy day.

Which airlines have resumed flights to Dubai?

Several airlines have already returned to Dubai, and more are due in the coming weeks. British Airways resumed daily London Heathrow to Dubai flights on 3 November. Philippine Airlines returned to Dubai International Airport on 21 October, joining Cebu Pacific on the Dubai to Manila route, with both carriers operating four weekly flights. Air Astana restored Dubai connections with Kazakhstan, including Almaty. Aegean Airlines resumed Athens to Dubai services. These returns show that parts of the Dubai network are rebuilding fast.

The schedule holds more resumptions before the end of the year. Lufthansa plans to restart five weekly flights each from Frankfurt and Munich to Dubai on 25 November. SWISS is due to restore daily Zurich to Dubai flights on 25 November, and Eurowings plans to resume daily Berlin to Dubai services on the same date. Austrian Airlines is due to restart Vienna to Dubai flights on 12 December, operating five times a week. Gulf News expects Dubai to see up to 36 weekly flights connecting the emirate with European destinations as more services return between late October and December.

Which airlines have extended their Dubai suspensions?

Not every airline is returning soon. Singapore Airlines keeps flights SQ494 and SQ495 suspended until 28 February 2027. Cathay Pacific keeps Dubai services suspended until 31 January 2027, and KLM does the same until 27 March 2027. Air Canada keeps Dubai services suspended until the end of March 2027, while Finnair keeps Dubai flights suspended for the 2026-27 winter season. Korean Air keeps Dubai services suspended until further notice, and Virgin Atlantic plans no return to Dubai before 2027.

Two more returns have slipped further back. ITA Airways keeps Dubai services suspended until 30 November, and Luxair postponed its return to Dubai to February 2027 at the earliest. If you hold a ticket with any of these carriers, do not assume your flight will operate. Contact the airline directly, and ask about rebooking onto a carrier that is already flying. Passengers who wait until the last day often find the fewest options left, so act early when an airline announces a long suspension.

What are other airlines doing about Saudi Arabia flights?

Gulf News lists a long set of Saudi cancellations from other carriers. IndiGo cancelled Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah flights until 14 November. Air India and Air India Express suspended Riyadh and Dammam services until 14 November, and Jeddah until 31 October, with eligible passengers able to rebook or claim refunds. Akasa Air suspended Jeddah flights until 18 November and Riyadh until 30 November, with refunds or free rescheduling available. Qatar Airways kept its Riyadh suspension until 25 October, cut Jeddah to four daily flights, and left Dammam suspended.

More carriers follow the same pattern. Oman Air suspended Riyadh flights until 31 October, and SalamAir cancelled Riyadh and Dammam flights until 31 October. Air France suspended Riyadh flights until 14 November. British Airways runs a limited Riyadh service, with one daily flight due to resume on 3 November, while the airline discontinued its Jeddah services. Cathay Pacific suspended Riyadh flights until 31 January 2027.

Pakistan International Airlines suspended Riyadh flights with no resumption date announced. Delta Air Lines postponed its Atlanta to Riyadh launch until March 2027. Lufthansa suspended Riyadh flights until 18 November and Dammam until 30 November, while Eurowings plans to resume Jeddah flights on 12 November. Philippine Airlines suspended Riyadh flights PR654 and PR655 until 29 November. Scoot cancelled Singapore to Jeddah flights until 2 December. Gulf Air has resumed operations at Riyadh Airport. ITA Airways cancelled Riyadh flights until 18 November. KLM cancelled Riyadh and Dammam flights until 27 November. Kuwait Airways keeps Riyadh flights cancelled until airport operations resume. Riyadh Air cancelled some Riyadh flights until 5 November, with temporary travel flexibility for eligible passengers travelling up to 7 November. Singapore Airlines postponed its non-stop Riyadh launch until 28 March 2027. SriLankan Airlines cancelled Riyadh flights until 1 November.

What alternatives exist for travellers stuck in Saudi Arabia?

Two Saudi carriers have shifted Riyadh services to Qassim Airport. Flyadeal moved its Riyadh services temporarily to Qassim Airport, known as ELQ, with bus transfers from Riyadh Bus Station. Saudia Riyadh flights are operating through Qassim Airport, with bus transfers between the city and the airport. If you are in Riyadh and need to fly, ask your airline whether a Qassim departure with a bus transfer suits your journey. The road trip adds time, so plan for a much earlier start than a normal airport departure.

King Khalid International Airport offers a 24-hour Ask Me service across all terminals, which can help with live information inside the airport. Luggage storage is available for up to 15 days at the Lost and Found and Baggage offices in domestic and international terminals. Road travel, intercity buses and SAR trains are other options that Gulf News lists for travellers stranded in Saudi Arabia. Inside the UAE, rail travel is also growing as an option for getting between cities, and our Etihad Rail passenger trains guide explains the Abu Dhabi to Dubai service. If you drive instead, read the new UAE traffic rules from 2027 before you set off, because fines and rules are changing.

What is the wider regional picture behind the disruption?

The flight disruption sits inside a wider regional security picture. Gulf News reports the US issued a regional security alert urging Americans across the Middle East to remain vigilant over possible Houthi attacks and alleged Iranian threats. The US Mission to the UAE warned of possible flight cancellations, airspace closures and travel disruptions. That warning matches what passengers are now seeing at Gulf airports, with suspensions and delays spreading across several carriers at once. Our UAE flight updates for 2 November report shows how the disruption looked a week ago, and the picture has grown more complex since then.

The region saw several incidents. Iranian media reported blasts on Qeshm Island and in Jask, Sirik and Bandar Abbas, while the cause remains unclear. The IRGC said two oil tankers caught fire after hitting naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz, but no independent source has verified those claims, so treat them with care. The UAE National Guard rescued 22 crew members after a cargo ship caught fire in the Gulf of Oman, and all received first aid, with the report putting them in stable condition. Saudi Arabia and Qatar discussed de-escalation, while the Saudi-led coalition reported intercepting a cruise missile and a UAV targeting Riyadh. Each of these reports comes from Gulf News, and this article presents them only as reported.

What happened before today?

The current suspensions grew out of a series of extensions that began in late October. Flydubai first extended its Riyadh, Dammam and Abha suspension to 1 November, then pushed it to 9 November, and has now pushed Riyadh and Abha further to 16 November. Etihad took a different path, resuming Jeddah on 6 November while keeping Riyadh and Dammam cancelled until 19 November. The table below sets out each step in order, so you can see how the dates moved and which announcement came from which outlet.

What should you do if your flight is cancelled?

Start with the airline website or app, and check your flight status before you travel. If the airline cancels your flight, contact the airline or your travel provider through official channels. Keep your booking reference and your contact details close at hand, because you will need them for every conversation. Save every message the airline sends you, and note the date and time of each call. That record helps if you later need to rebook, claim a refund, or show that you acted promptly.

Rebooking and refund terms differ from airline to airline, and this article states only what the sources confirmed. Air India and Air India Express allow eligible passengers to rebook or claim refunds, and Akasa Air offers refunds or free rescheduling. Riyadh Air offered temporary travel flexibility for eligible passengers travelling up to 7 November. The reports checked today published no rebooking or refund terms for the other carriers, so this article gives none for them. Ask your own airline directly, and get any offer in writing. If your trip can wait, check the next public holiday in the UAE and plan a fresh date around it, rather than rushing into a flight that may also change.

Frequently asked questions about UAE flights on 8 November?

These answers cover the points passengers ask about most today. Each one uses only the facts confirmed in the reports checked this morning, and each answer points you back to the airline for the final word on your own booking.

Is flydubai still flying to Riyadh on 8 November?

No, the suspension covers flydubai flights to Riyadh until 16 November inclusive. The booking platform shows services from 17 November, but a bookable flight is not a guarantee that it will operate. Check the live status on the flydubai website or app before you travel, and keep your contact details updated so the airline can reach you with any change.

When does flydubai resume Dammam flights?

The schedule brings Dammam flights back on 10 November, according to the reports checked this morning. That date covers flydubai services from Dubai to Dammam. Etihad keeps Abu Dhabi to Dammam flights cancelled until 19 November, so the two airlines are on different dates. Confirm your own flight on the airline website before you leave for the airport.

Which Emirates flights are cancelled today?

Emirates cancelled Dubai to Dammam flights EK823, EK827 and EK821, plus Dammam to Dubai flights EK824, EK828 and EK822. On the Riyadh route, the airline cancelled Dubai to Riyadh flights EK815, EK819 and EK817, plus Riyadh to Dubai flights EK816, EK820 and EK818. Emirates also cancelled Dubai to Jeddah flight EK801 and Jeddah to Dubai flight EK802, while other Jeddah and Medina flights remain on the schedule. Check the Emirates website for the latest status.

Can I still fly from the UAE to Saudi Arabia today?

Yes, several routes still operate. Flydubai serves Jeddah, Madinah, Gassim, Ha’il and Tabuk, and Air Arabia flies from Sharjah to Dammam, Gassim, Ha’il, Jeddah and Madinah. Etihad resumed Abu Dhabi to Jeddah flights on 6 November, and Emirates still serves Jeddah and Medina. Riyadh and Abha are the hardest destinations to reach today, so consider a different Saudi city only if the onward journey works for you.

Are flights between the UAE and Iran operating?

No, Iranian airlines face a suspension of UAE flights until further notice. The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority ordered the suspension, and it affects Iran Airtour, Caspian Airlines and Karun Airlines. Passengers should contact their travel providers for rebooking and refund arrangements. The reports checked today name no end date.

Which airlines have resumed Dubai flights?

British Airways resumed daily London Heathrow to Dubai flights on 3 November. Philippine Airlines returned to Dubai on 21 October, joining Cebu Pacific on the Dubai to Manila route. Air Astana restored Dubai connections with Kazakhstan, including Almaty, and Aegean Airlines resumed Athens to Dubai services. More returns are due soon, with Lufthansa, SWISS and Eurowings all scheduled for 25 November, and Austrian Airlines due on 12 December.