Major Airlines Are Suspending Dubai Flights and the List Keeps Growing

The Airlines That Have Now Pulled Out

The suspensions now stretch across nearly every major global airline alliance. Cathay Pacific has cancelled all flights between Hong Kong and Dubai through March 31, extending an earlier suspension that had been scheduled to end on March 14. The airline says it will add extra capacity on routes to London and Zurich to help accommodate passengers who were booked on the Dubai service.

Singapore Airlines has cancelled flights to Dubai through March 15, while its low-cost subsidiary Scoot has suspended some Jeddah services on selected dates. Finnair has also cancelled all flights to and from Dubai through March 29. The airline says full refunds are available if passengers cannot be rebooked because alternative flights are limited.

Here is the current suspension status by airline:

Cathay Pacific: Suspended through March 31

Singapore Airlines: Suspended through March 15

Finnair: Suspended through March 29

Air France: Suspended flights to and from Dubai and Riyadh through March 12 (departures from those cities suspended through March 13). Flights to Tel Aviv and Beirut are suspended through March 13.

Virgin Atlantic: Suspended for the remainder of the winter season through March 28. Riyadh flights are also paused

Norwegian: Suspended through March 12

KLM: Suspension deadline expires today. Check klm.com for confirmation of resumed service

Lufthansa: Suspension deadline expires today. Check lufthansa.com for the latest status

British Airways: Suspended. The airline is operating additional Muscat to London Heathrow flights as an alternative

Source: Screenshot of Statement from British Airways on X March 10, 2026

According to AirHelp, more than 11,000 flights worldwide have been cancelled or disrupted since the crisis began, affecting over one million travelers. Many routes are also taking longer as airlines reroute around restricted airspace, adding anywhere from one to three hours to flight times. This is not a small hiccup in the system. It is a significant and ongoing disruption with real consequences for anyone planning to travel through the region.

What's Still Flying

Emirates remains the backbone of Dubai’s recovery. The airline is currently flying to 84 destinations and says it is working to restore its full network in the coming days. Etihad also resumed additional services from Abu Dhabi today. Air Arabia is operating a reduced schedule for now, but the list of destinations is slowly growing and currently includes Austria, Egypt, Greece, India, Italy, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey.

With connecting routes through Dubai and Doha still disrupted, some passenger demand has shifted to nonstop flights between Asia and Europe. Airlines such as Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific are seeing more travelers choose those direct routes. Meanwhile, Muscat has quietly emerged as one of the most reliable alternative hubs in the region. Oman Air has been adding extra capacity on routes to London, Milan, Rome, Istanbul, Amsterdam, and Bangkok to handle the surge in demand.

The Alternatives Travelers Are Using

If your trip was supposed to connect through Dubai, you still have options, though a little flexibility may be needed. Muscat is currently the easiest nearby alternative and offers good onward connections to cities across Europe and Asia. Doha is also operating some flights through Qatar Airways on select routes. In other cases, European airlines are rerouting passengers through different Gulf hubs or offering full refunds when rebooking isn’t possible.

If you booked with a major airline, check your email first. Most carriers are reaching out directly to passengers with rebooking or refund options. If you haven’t heard anything and your flight is coming up in the next couple of weeks, it’s a good idea to contact the airline yourself rather than waiting for an update.

Before You Head to the Airport

The most important piece of advice hasn't changed since this began: don't go to the airport without a confirmed booking, and check your flight status within one hour of leaving for the airport — not the night before, within the hour.

• Do not go to the airport without a confirmed booking from your airline. Even then, check again right before you leave. Conditions changed quickly this morning and schedules are still shifting.


• Check your flight status right before you leave. Not just the night before. Use the airline's app or website within an hour of departure.

• Check Emirates flight status at emirat.es/flightstatus.

• Check Etihad flight status at etihad.com.

• Keep an eye on your email and airline notifications. Airlines are contacting confirmed passengers directly with updates, rebookings, and boarding instructions.

• Confirm your terminal before leaving, as some operations have shifted between DXB terminals.

• If you need an Etihad refund, use the online form at etihad.com/en/help/refund-form


• If you are still stranded and cannot secure a commercial seat, contact your country's embassy about charter or repatriation options.

• If your flight was cancelled, contact your airline directly or your travel agent. Online rebooking portals are the fastest option for most carriers.

For the most up-to-date information, travelers are encouraged to monitor the following official accounts on X: Dubai Media Office, Dubai Airports, Emirates, and Etihad

The situation is moving fast, and not always in a predictable direction. Give yourself the gift of five minutes and a confirmed booking before you leave the house. The airlines handling this best are the ones communicating directly with passengers — check your inbox before you check your bags. A little homework now saves a lot of heartache at the departure gate.

Frequently Asked Questions: Dubai Airport Flight Suspensions

Which airlines have suspended flights to Dubai?

As of March 10, British Airways, Lufthansa, Air France, KLM, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Finnair, Virgin Atlantic, and Norwegian have all suspended or significantly reduced Dubai services. Emirates, Etihad, and Air Arabia continue to operate.

Is Dubai airport open right now?

Yes, Dubai International Airport is open and operating. Emirates is flying to 84 destinations, and limited services from other carriers are resuming gradually.

Why are airlines suspending flights to Dubai?

The suspensions follow airspace closures across the Middle East triggered by regional conflict beginning February 28. Several countries closed portions of their airspace, causing major disruption to Dubai's flight schedule.

What should I do if my Dubai flight is cancelled?

Contact your airline directly. Most carriers are offering fee-free rebooking or full refunds for affected flights. Check your email for direct communication from your airline first.

Is it safe to travel to Dubai right now?

Dubai airport is operational and the city itself remains open to tourists. However, the flight situation is fluid and travelers should confirm bookings immediately before departing.

What is the best alternative hub if I can't fly through Dubai?

Muscat (Oman) has emerged as the most reliable regional alternative, with Oman Air adding significant capacity to European and Asian destinations. Doha via Qatar Airways is also partially operational.

When will flights to Dubai return to normal?

Emirates is targeting full network restoration within the coming days. However, airlines like Finnair, Cathay Pacific, and Virgin Atlantic have suspensions extending to late March or beyond.

How do I check the latest Dubai airport status?

Visit dubaiairports.ae or WhatsApp Dubai Airports at +971 4 224 5555 for the most current information.