UAE Flight Updates 9 November: flydubai Riyadh and Abha from 17 November, Etihad Riyadh and Dammam to 19 November

Monday 9 November 2026 brings another day of flight disruption for travellers in the United Arab Emirates. Khaleej Times leads its coverage today with the headline “UAE flight updates: Airlines continue suspending Saudi flights”. Several routes face disruption on Monday, with cancellations to destinations in Saudi Arabia and Nairobi. The picture has shifted again since Sunday, so this article brings every confirmed change together in one place. Use it to check your route fast, then confirm your own flight with the airline before you travel.

All facts below come only from reports checked today. Khaleej Times supplied the Monday cancellations and delays, while Gulf News supplied the wider roundup of suspensions and returns. Gulf Today and nonrevtravelnews added detail on the flydubai dates. This article credits official information to its source throughout. It leaves out any claim that the sources did not confirm. No flight time or fare appears here, because the sources published none. Use this page as your starting point. Then check the airline website or app for the final word on your booking.

What has changed for UAE flights on Monday 9 November?

Three things stand out today. First, Emirates failed to restart its Dubai to Riyadh and Dubai to Dammam flights on Sunday. Both routes still have no service. Second, fresh cancellations hit Dubai airport on Monday, with Flynas, Riyadh Air, Cebu Pacific and Kenya Airways all dropping flights. Third, the wider picture now looks clearer, with return dates set for some airlines and long suspensions confirmed for others. Our UAE flight updates for 8 November report covers Sunday in full. This article picks up the story from Monday morning.

The Saudi routes still dominate the disruption. Etihad keeps Abu Dhabi to Riyadh and Dammam flights cancelled until 19 November. Meanwhile, flydubai shows Riyadh and Abha services from 17 November. Dammam gives passengers the nearest good news, with flydubai due to resume services on Tuesday 10 November. Meanwhile, delays built up at Dubai International Airport during the day, and a handful of long-haul arrivals ran late. The sections below cover each change in full, route by route, with flight numbers where the sources published them.

Which Saudi routes are still suspended today?

Riyadh and Abha still have no flydubai service today. The carrier extended the suspension of both routes until 16 November. Its booking page now shows flights from 17 November. Gulf Today reported the extension on 6 November, and Khaleej Times confirmed the booking dates again today. A bookable flight is not a guarantee that it will operate, however, 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.

Etihad takes a longer view on two routes. The airline keeps all passenger and cargo flights cancelled until 19 November. This covers Abu Dhabi to Riyadh and Abu Dhabi to Dammam. That date sits nine days after the flydubai Dammam return, so the two carriers now run on very different timelines. Our earlier report on the flydubai and Etihad Saudi Arabia flight changes covers the position as it stood on 6 November. The dates below update that picture with the latest confirmed facts.

When will flydubai resume flights to Dammam?

The schedule brings Dammam flights back on Tuesday 10 November. That is the first resumption date in the flydubai Saudi network since the suspensions began. 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. It shows services from 17 November, so treat that date as the earliest possible return rather than a promise.

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. 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, so check there first.

Which flights are cancelled at Dubai airport today?

The table below pulls every confirmed Monday cancellation at Dubai International Airport into one view. It covers Flynas, Riyadh Air, Cebu Pacific and Kenya Airways. Flight numbers appear exactly as Khaleej Times published them this morning. Use it to find your airline and route at a glance, then read the sections below for the full detail. Note that the table lists Monday cancellations only, so the Emirates Sunday cancellations appear in a later section.

Riyadh dominates the Monday list, with six Flynas flights and two Riyadh Air flights affected. The Flynas cancellations cover four arrivals from Riyadh and one departure to Riyadh, plus the two Gassim services. Riyadh Air dropped two arrivals from Riyadh, RX241 and RX243. Beyond Saudi Arabia, Cebu Pacific dropped its Dubai to Manila service 5J019. Kenya Airways dropped both directions on the Nairobi route. If your flight number appears above, contact your airline now about rebooking. The airline will hold the latest options for your ticket.

Which Etihad flights stay cancelled until 19 November?

Etihad keeps Abu Dhabi to Riyadh and Abu Dhabi to Dammam flights cancelled until 19 November. The cancellation covers all passenger and cargo flights on both routes. No Etihad service runs between Abu Dhabi and either city for the next ten days. The airline resumed its daily services to and from Jeddah on 6 November. That makes Jeddah the clear contrast inside the Etihad Saudi network. If you hold an Etihad ticket to Riyadh or Dammam, speak to the airline about your options now. Do not wait for the date to arrive.

The 19 November date is the longest confirmed Saudi suspension among the UAE carriers. Flydubai plans to bring Dammam back on 10 November. It shows Riyadh and Abha from 17 November, while Emirates has announced no new restart date at all. That spread shows how differently each airline reads the same situation. Check your own carrier rather than assuming one airline date applies to another. A later section sets the dates side by side for a quick comparison. It covers the longer international suspensions too.

Why did the Emirates restart on 8 November fail to happen?

Emirates planned to restart Dubai to Riyadh and Dubai to Dammam flights on Sunday 8 November. The restart did not happen. The airline cancelled every Sunday flight on both routes. No Emirates aircraft flew between Dubai and either city that day. The reports checked today give no reason for the change, and this article adds none. What matters for passengers is the result. Both routes still have no Emirates service, and the airline has announced no new restart date.

The cancelled Riyadh flights ran as EK815, EK817 and EK819 from Dubai, with returns EK816, EK818 and EK820. The cancelled Dammam flights ran as EK821, EK823 and EK827 from Dubai, with returns EK822, EK824 and EK828. That is twelve flights in one day across the two routes, so many passengers faced a sudden change of plan. If you hold an Emirates ticket to Riyadh or Dammam, check the airline website or app for the latest status. The position can move again without much warning.

Which Emirates flights are still operating to Saudi Arabia?

Jeddah keeps a partial Emirates service. The airline cancelled Dubai to Jeddah flight EK801 and the return EK802 on Sunday 8 November. Other Jeddah flights kept operating. Medina also kept operating, with other Jeddah and Medina flights running as scheduled. That makes Jeddah and Medina the only Saudi destinations with Emirates service right now. Riyadh and Dammam wait for a new restart date. Passengers booked on those two routes should contact Emirates directly, because the airline holds the latest position on any future restart.

If your final destination is Riyadh, a flight to Jeddah may still help, but think hard before you book it. The onward journey inside Saudi Arabia is long. Road and rail options may not suit every traveller, so weigh the extra travel time against the wait for a direct flight. Visitors who change their plans should also review the Dubai tourist visa rules before they rebook. A new route can change the documents you need. For now, the safest step is a direct check with Emirates, because a route that operated on Sunday can still face a change on Monday.

Which flights face delays at Dubai International today?

Delays built up at Dubai International Airport during Monday, with Emirates and flydubai both affected. Emirates reported six delayed arrivals, and flydubai reported seven delayed flights in total. None of the delays in the Khaleej Times list ran beyond three hours and five minutes. A delay of that length can still break a tight connection. Check your flight status before you set off, and leave a generous gap between services if you connect through Dubai.

The Emirates delays hit long-haul arrivals from six cities. EK152 from Copenhagen ran 25 minutes late, and EK435 from Brisbane ran 36 minutes late. EK764 from Johannesburg ran 59 minutes late. EK22 from Dallas ran 54 minutes late, and EK958 from Beirut ran 45 minutes late. EK216 from Los Angeles ran 53 minutes late. Each delay stayed under one hour. Most passengers should still make their onward plans, yet a short delay can still matter if your connection is tight.

The flydubai delays ran longer in several cases. FZ872 from Gassim ran 38 minutes late, and FZ996 from Samara ran 38 minutes late. FZ980 from Yekaterinburg ran 32 minutes late. FZ992 from Saint Petersburg ran 2 hours and 7 minutes late. FZ1716 from Minsk ran 3 hours and 5 minutes late. On departures, FZ619 to Entebbe ran 40 minutes late and FZ053 to Kuwait ran 1 hour and 20 minutes late. Before you head out, also check the UAE weather today 9 November update. Conditions can add to airport delays on a busy day.

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, and those services run as normal. Etihad resumed Abu Dhabi to Jeddah services on 6 November, so Jeddah now has two UAE carriers. Together, these routes give travellers real options, even while Riyadh, Abha and Dammam face limits on some airlines. The position can still shift, so confirm your own flight before you travel.

Jeddah is the strongest option for many travellers. Two UAE carriers serve it, and Emirates also flies there, although the airline cancelled one Jeddah rotation on Sunday. Madinah also has more than one carrier, with flydubai and Emirates both 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. Inside the UAE, rail travel is growing as an option for getting between cities, and our Etihad Rail passenger trains guide explains the Abu Dhabi to Dubai service.

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

Flights between the UAE and Iran remain suspended until further notice. The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority ordered the suspension, and it covers flights operated by Iranian airlines to and from the UAE. 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 an Iranian carrier, 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, and Emirates does the same with its Dubai to Tel Aviv services. The reports checked today confirm no resumption date for either carrier, so passengers booked on these services should contact the airline about their options. Do not assume a flight will operate simply because the schedule still lists it.

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. 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, and the airline website carries the final word.

Which airlines have already resumed flights to Dubai?

British Airways leads the list of airlines that have already returned to Dubai. The carrier resumed Dubai services on 3 November, and it now flies the route again after its suspension. That return matters because British Airways is a major long-haul carrier, and its comeback signals growing confidence in the Dubai network. Gulf News reported the return in its roundup of 8 November, alongside the longer suspensions listed below, so the picture now has both returns and extensions in the same week.

The returns show that parts of the Dubai network are rebuilding fast, even while other routes stay suspended. A single airline return does not fix the wider disruption, yet each comeback gives passengers more choice and more seats. If you hold a ticket with an airline that has already resumed, 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.

Which airlines plan to return to Dubai in the coming weeks?

Three European carriers share the same return date of 25 November. Lufthansa plans to return to Dubai on that date, and SWISS plans to restore its Zurich to Dubai flights on the same day. Eurowings also plans to resume Dubai services on 25 November, so that date could bring a sharp jump in European capacity. Austrian Airlines follows a little later, with a return planned for 12 December, and that gives Vienna passengers a clear date to plan around.

These dates come from the Gulf News roundup of 8 November, and they give passengers a clear timeline to plan around. A planned return is not a guarantee, however, because airlines can still push dates back if the situation changes. If you hold a ticket with any of these carriers for late November or December, keep your contact details updated and watch for messages from the airline. The table in the next section sets every return date side by side with the longer suspensions.

How long will the longer suspensions last?

The table below sets out every longer suspension and return date in one view. It covers the Saudi routes first, then the Dubai suspensions for international carriers. Use it to find your airline fast, then read the sections above for the full detail. Dates come from the Gulf News roundup of 8 November and the Khaleej Times update of 9 November.

The longest suspensions run into 2027, so passengers with tickets on those carriers should act early. 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 move fast when an airline announces a long suspension.

What caused the disruption in Saudi Arabia?

Khaleej Times reports that the disruption follows Houthi attacks in Saudi Arabia, including a target linked to Aramco in Riyadh. The US Mission in Saudi Arabia issued a security alert on 7 November, and travellers should follow official advice while the situation develops. This article states only what the sources confirmed, and it adds no further detail about the attacks.

The background matters because it explains why the suspensions keep moving. Airlines review security advice daily, and they adjust schedules when official guidance changes. That is why a restart date can slip, as the Emirates restart did on Sunday, and why a booking platform can show flights that later disappear. For passengers, the lesson is simple: treat every date as the latest position rather than a fixed promise, and check the live status close to your travel date.

What should you check before you leave for the airport?

Gulf News advises passengers to check flight status directly with the airline before leaving for the airport, because schedules can change at short notice. That advice matters most today, with cancellations and delays hitting several routes at once. Start with the airline website or app, and look for your flight number rather than the route alone. A route can show as operating while your own flight still faces a delay or a cancellation.

Keep your booking reference and your contact details close at hand, because you will need them for every conversation with the airline. 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. Passengers who connect through Dubai or Abu Dhabi should also check the UAE transit visa rules, because a long delay can change the documents you need for your journey.

What is happening at Zayed International Airport this week?

Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi is running Diwali celebrations from 7 to 11 November, so the airport expects extra visitors this week. Gulf News advises travellers to allow extra time at the airport during the celebrations, because queues can build up at busy times. If you fly from Abu Dhabi this week, arrive earlier than usual and keep your travel documents ready for the security checks.

The celebrations bring festive activities to the airport, and the terminal will feel busier than a normal week. That matters most for passengers with tight schedules, because a slow start at the airport can eat into the buffer before a flight. Plan your journey to the airport with extra time built in, and check your flight status before you set off. A calm start makes the rest of the journey far easier, even on a day when schedules keep moving.

Why is the Embassy of Pakistan closed today?

The Embassy of Pakistan in Abu Dhabi stays closed today, Monday 9 November, for Iqbal Day. ProPakistani and Around.pk reported the closure on 8 November, and the notice covers consular services for the day. Pakistani residents who need consular services should plan their visits around the closure, because the embassy will not handle routine matters today. Check the embassy website or official channels for guidance before you travel to Abu Dhabi.

The closure is a one-day holiday, so normal services should resume on the next working day. A wasted trip to a closed office costs time and money, so confirm the opening hours first and plan your visit for another day. Travellers should also note that the closure affects consular services only, and it has no link to the flight disruption covered in this article. If your matter is urgent, use the official channels listed by the embassy rather than turning up in person.

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, because that record helps if you later need to rebook or claim a refund.

Rebooking and refund terms differ from airline to airline, and the reports checked today published no terms for the carriers in this article. That means this article gives none for them, so ask your own airline directly and get any offer in writing. If your trip can wait, consider a later date rather than rushing into a flight that may also change. 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.

Frequently asked questions about UAE flights on 9 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 9 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 were cancelled on 8 November?

Emirates cancelled Dubai to Riyadh flights EK815, EK817 and EK819, plus Riyadh to Dubai flights EK816, EK818 and EK820. On the Dammam route, the airline cancelled Dubai to Dammam flights EK821, EK823 and EK827, plus Dammam to Dubai flights EK822, EK824 and EK828. Emirates also cancelled Dubai to Jeddah flight EK801 and Jeddah to Dubai flight EK802, while other Jeddah and Medina flights kept operating. 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 Etihad flies from Abu Dhabi to Jeddah. Emirates still serves Jeddah and Medina, although the airline cancelled one Jeddah rotation on Sunday. 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, flights operated by Iranian airlines stay suspended until further notice. The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority ordered the suspension, and the reports checked today name no end date. Passengers should contact their travel providers for rebooking and refund arrangements. The suspension applies only to flights operated by Iranian airlines, and it is a separate measure from the Saudi Arabia suspensions.

Which airlines have resumed Dubai flights?

British Airways resumed Dubai services on 3 November, according to the Gulf News roundup of 8 November. More returns are due soon, with Lufthansa, SWISS and Eurowings all scheduled for 25 November, and Austrian Airlines due on 12 December. Several other carriers face much longer suspensions, with some not due back before 2027. Check the operating carrier before you book, and confirm the status again on the day of travel.