UAE airlines have suspended flights to four destinations — Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Iran — on Friday in the wake of rising tensions between Israel and Iran. The carriers also announced flight cancellations to as many as five other destinations across the Middle East and Caucasian regions after several countries closed their airspaces.
Israel launched strikes on Iran early Friday, marking one of the most dramatic escalations in the two countries’ long-standing shadow war. Codenamed ‘Rising Lion’, the offensive targeted high-value sites including missile factories and nuclear facilities. The strikes left top Iranian military leaders dead, with Iran vowing a ‘harsh’ response.
The Dubai International Airport (DXB) website listed dozens of departures and arrivals as cancelled on Friday. Most of the cancellations include flights heading to or arriving from countries like Iran, Russia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Israel. Multiple flydubai, Emirates and Etihad flights to Iranian cities such as Tehran, Shiraz, Lar, Kish Island, and Bandar Abbas were also cancelled. Flights from these cities to Dubai were also not operating.
Similarly, flights to and from Baghdad and Basra in Iraq were cancelled. The same was seen with flights to Amman in Jordan and Beirut in Lebanon, where services by flydubai were either cancelled or not listed for the day.
Dubai airport authorities further announced some flights at Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International stand cancelled or delayed due to airspace closures over Iran, Iraq, and Syria.
The authorities said they are working to manage the disruption and support affected guests. Passengers are advised to check with their respective airlines for latest updates and rebooking options before heading to the airport. “Our teams are on hand to assist impacted guests,” they added.
List of affected flights
Etihad
- EY595 from Abu Dhabi (AUH) to Tel Aviv (TLV) – Cancelled
- EY596 from Tel Aviv (TLV) to Abu Dhabi (AUH) – Cancelled
- EY593 from Abu Dhabi (AUH) to Tel Aviv (TLV) – Cancelled
- EY594 from Tel Aviv (TLV) to Abu Dhabi (AUH) – Cancelled
- EY597 from Abu Dhabi (AUH) to Tel Aviv (TLV) – Cancelled
- EY598 from Tel Aviv (TLV) to Abu Dhabi (AUH) – Cancelled
- EY590 from Amman (AMM) to Abu Dhabi (AUH) – extended delay expected
June 14
- EY595 / EY596 between Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv – currently scheduled to operate but may be subject to delay
- EY589 from Abu Dhabi to Amman – currently scheduled to operate but may be subject to delay.
Emirates
June 13
- EK945/EK946 from Dubai to Basra to Dubai
- EK943/EK944 from Dubai to Baghdad to Dubai
- EK979/EK978 from Dubai to Tehran to Dubai
- EK980 from Tehran to Dubai
- EK903/EK904 from Dubai to Amman to Dubai
- EK905/EK906 from Dubai to Amman to Dubai
- EK957/EK958 from Dubai to Beirut to Dubai
- EK953/EK954 from Dubai to Beirut to Dubai
June 14
- EK977/EK978 from Dubai to Tehran to Dubai
Flydubai
Meanwhile, flydubai said that due to the temporary closure of airspace over Iran and Israel in the early hours of 13 June, some flydubai flights have been impacted.
“Flights to Amman, Beirut, Damascus, Iran and Israel have been suspended and a number of flights have been cancelled, rerouted or have returned to their destination of origin. We are monitoring the situation in the region closely and adjusting our flight schedule accordingly. The safety of our passengers and crew remains our top priority. We are in direct contact with passengers whose travel plans have been affected,” said the Dubai-based carrier.
Air Arabia
Air Arabia has also annoounced that it is temporarily cancelling flights to and from Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Russia, Armenia, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Kazakhstan.
The ariline said that some other flights may face delays or rerouting, advising passengers to check flight status at airarabia.com or contact their call centre.
Affected customers will be notified directly, the airline underlined.
