Published on
March 15, 2026
Image generated with Ai
The ongoing Middle East conflict has created significant disruptions in the air travel industry, particularly in the UAE. Thousands of travellers are now facing extended delays and cancellations across the country’s major airports, including Dubai International Airport, Abu Dhabi International Airport and Sharjah International Airport. In total, 138 flight cancellations and 248 delays have been reported, affecting a number of airlines, including Gulf Air, FlyDubai, IndiGo, Qatar Airways and others. With both passengers and airlines caught in a state of uncertainty, the situation continues to evolve, leaving many to wonder how long these disruptions will last.
The UAE’s busiest airports— Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah —have become the focal points of the travel chaos.
- Dubai International Airport (DXB)
| Airline | Cancelled | Cancelled (%) | Delayed | Delayed (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IndiGo | 25 | 86% | 1 | 3% |
| Gulf Air | 10 | 100% | 0 | 0% |
| FlyDubai | 10 | 7% | 64 | 45% |
| SpiceJet | 5 | 19% | 4 | 15% |
| Air India | 5 | 15% | 6 | 18% |
| Qatar Airways | 5 | 50% | 0 | 0% |
| SunExpress | 4 | 100% | 0 | 0% |
| Saudia | 3 | 13% | 0 | 0% |
| Air France | 2 | 50% | 0 | 0% |
| Virgin Atlantic | 2 | 100% | 0 | 0% |
| SriLankan Airlines | 2 | 100% | 0 | 0% |
| Kam Air | 1 | 25% | 0 | 0% |
| Cyprus Airways | 1 | 50% | 0 | 0% |
| British Airways | 1 | 16% | 0 | 0% |
| Royal Jordanian | 1 | 20% | 3 | 60% |
| KLM | 1 | 50% | 0 | 0% |
| Egypt Air | 1 | 10% | 0 | 0% |
| China Eastern | 1 | 50% | 0 | 0% |
| Kenya Airways | 1 | 25% | 0 | 0% |
| US-Bangla Airlines | 1 | 33% | 0 | 0% |
| My Freighter | 0 | 0% | 1 | 25% |
| Air Sial | 0 | 0% | 1 | 16% |
| Emirates | 0 | 0% | 79 | 21% |
| Air India Express | 0 | 0% | 6 | 33% |
- Abu Dhabi International Airport (Zayed International Airport) (AUH)
| Airline | Cancelled | Cancelled (%) | Delayed | Delayed (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IndiGo | 26 | 86% | 0 | 0% |
| Gulf Air | 6 | 100% | 0 | 0% |
| Qatar Airways | 5 | 62% | 0 | 0% |
| Egypt Air | 3 | 60% | 0 | 0% |
| Hainan Airlines | 1 | 100% | 0 | 0% |
| Etihad Airways | 0 | 0% | 27 | 8% |
| Royal Jordanian | 0 | 0% | 2 | 100% |
| Air Arabia Abu Dhabi | 0 | 0% | 3 | 6% |
| Air India Express | 0 | 0% | 8 | 66% |
- Sharjah International Airport (SHJ)
| Airline | Cancelled | Cancelled (%) | Delayed | Delayed (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IndiGo | 6 | 60% | 0 | 0% |
| Qatar Airways | 5 | 62% | 0 | 0% |
| SpiceJet | 3 | 100% | 0 | 0% |
| Egypt Air | 1 | 50% | 0 | 0% |
| Fly Jinnah | 0 | 0% | 2 | 25% |
| Air Cairo | 0 | 0% | 1 | 50% |
| Pakistan International Airlines | 0 | 0% | 1 | 50% |
| Air Arabia | 0 | 0% | 31 | 22% |
| Air India Express | 0 | 0% | 8 | 53% |
The flight disruptions at three major airports of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah have significantly impacted airlines and travellers alike. At Dubai International Airport, airlines such as IndiGo, FlyDubai, Air India and Emirates have seen numerous cancellations and delays, with IndiGo experiencing a staggering 86% cancellation rate. At Zayed International, airlines like Gulf Air, Qatar Airways and Egypt Air faced similar challenges, with Gulf Air having a 100% cancellation rate. Etihad Airways, despite limited cancellations, recorded substantial delays. Lastly, at Sharjah International Airport, airlines such as IndiGo, Qatar Airways, SpiceJet and Air Arabia were also severely affected, leading to a cumulative total of 15 cancellations and 43 delays across the airport.
The ongoing flight disruptions are likely to have a long-term impact on tourism in key cities across the UAE, particularly Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. As one of the most popular destinations for both leisure and business travel, the UAE has long been a central hub for international tourism in the Middle East. However, the recent wave of travel interruptions could dampen the optimism surrounding the UAE’s tourism industry.
- Dubai has long been known as a global tourism hotspot, attracting millions of visitors each year. However, with flight cancellations, delays and the ongoing conflict, some potential tourists may think twice about booking travel to Dubai in the near future. Despite ongoing efforts to resume services, the long-term recovery of Dubai’s tourism sector depends heavily on the resolution of the regional conflict and the restoration of full air traffic operations.
- Abu Dhabi, which has also benefitted from a thriving tourism industry, could see a temporary dip in tourist arrivals, particularly from markets that are heavily affected by the ongoing disruptions. Many airlines that fly into Abu Dhabi are also the ones that provide connections to key global markets. This makes the aviation disruptions particularly impactful for the city’s tourism sector.
- Sharjah, known for its cultural attractions and affordable travel options, could experience a delay in its recovery as well. The region relies on both low-cost carriers and more established international airlines and ongoing disruptions to these carriers could potentially stall growth in both leisure and business tourism.
While the tourism sector is expected to bounce back once air travel normalises, the uncertainty surrounding the situation may deter some potential visitors, especially those concerned about the risks of flight cancellations or delays.
For travellers currently impacted by the ongoing flight cancellations and delays, several steps can be taken to manage the disruption:
Advertisement
Advertisement
- Stay Informed: Passengers are encouraged to keep up-to-date with their airline’s status via the official airline website, social media channels, or flight tracking apps. Changes in flight schedules and new announcements can be communicated quickly.
- Rebook Flights: Passengers whose flights have been cancelled should contact their airline for information on rebooking options. Some airlines are offering free rebooking or waiving change fees in response to the disruption, so it’s worth checking the airline’s policy.
- Check-in Early: As check-in procedures have been affected, passengers are advised to check in earlier than usual at the airport, especially since queues and delays are expected to continue.
- Consider Alternative Transport: For those who need to reach their destination urgently, it may be worth considering alternative transport options such as train services, buses, or connecting flights through other regional airports.
- Know Your Rights: Passengers who have been significantly delayed or have had their flights cancelled may be entitled to compensation or assistance under certain regulations, such as EU regulations or other international flight compensation rules.
-The information provided is sourced from FlightAware.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
