Airlines based in the United Arab Emirates are reshuffling timetables and pulling flights after fresh security alerts across the Gulf and the wider Middle East on 8 November 2026. Passengers heading to Saudi Arabia, Israel and Iran are encountering cancelled services, altered routes and short‑notice schedule changes.
The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority has ordered an indefinite suspension of all flights operated by Iranian carriers, including Iran Airtour, Caspian Airlines and Karun Airlines, until further notice. Travelers with bookings on these airlines are being urged to contact their agents for re‑booking or refunds.
Flights to Israel remain constrained.
flydubai has halted Dubai‑Tel Aviv operations through at least late November, and Emirates has kept the same route and related codeshares suspended. Etihad continues to run Abu Dhabi‑Tel Aviv flights, while Israeli airlines El Al and Arkia still face delays or suspensions linked to landing‑permit negotiations.
Saudi destinations are also seeing irregularities. Flights to Riyadh, Dammam and other Saudi cities are being run on revised schedules, with some carriers applying new cancellation policies. Travelers are advised to verify their bookings directly with airlines before heading to the airport.
The United States has issued a regional security alert, warning Americans in the Middle East to stay alert for possible Houthi attacks and alleged Iranian threats. The US mission in the UAE cautioned that flight cancellations, airspace closures and travel disruptions could follow.
Separate security incidents include reports of explosions on Iran’s Qeshm Island, Jask, Sirik and Bandar Abbas, though causes remain unclear. US Central Command disabled the St Kitts‑flagged vessel M/V Huda in the Gulf of Oman and launched Task Force Iron Gate to disrupt Iran’s land‑based weapons supply routes.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard claimed two oil tankers caught fire after hitting naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz, a claim not yet verified by independent sources.
In a humanitarian note, the UAE National Guard rescued 22 crew members from a cargo ship that caught fire in the Gulf of Oman, providing first aid and confirming their stable condition.
Passengers using Abu Dhabi (AUH) are urged to arrive early, especially during the Diwali rush, and to check airline websites for the latest updates. The airport is hosting Diwali festivities from 7 to 11 November, including a treasure hunt that offers a chance to win a gold bar, with visitor passes required for non‑travellers.
Dubai International (DXB) and Al Maktoum International (DWC) also advise travelers to monitor airline communications closely, as schedules may shift with little warning.
