Etihad cancelled flights EY653 and EY654 between Abu Dhabi and Kuwait on 19 and 20 July 2026 as US-Iran fighting intensified.
Other routes may change quickly. Open Manage My Trip before leaving for Abu Dhabi airport and follow any message sent by Etihad.
Why are Etihad flights being disrupted?
The US began a new round of strikes on Iran in mid-July, and Iran retaliated against Kuwait and Bahrain on 20 July. The renewed fighting has increased the risk of short-notice airspace restrictions and route changes across the Gulf.
EASA classified Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE and part of the Gulf of Oman as high-risk airspace on 14 July. It advised affected operators not to fly there until 29 July, unless the notice is reviewed sooner.
This does not mean every Etihad flight is cancelled. Etihad assesses each service and contacts affected travellers through the details in their booking.
Which Etihad routes are affected?
Etihad has not issued a complete public list of every affected route. The table gives the useful information available for travel on 20 July 2026.
| Route | What is confirmed for 20 July 2026 |
|---|---|
| Kuwait City | Etihad cancelled EY653 and EY654 on 19 and 20 July. The airline said it was helping affected passengers with alternative travel arrangements. |
| Bahrain and nearby Gulf routes | Iran attacked Bahrain and Kuwait on 20 July. Etihad had not issued a complete route-wide cancellation list, so check your individual booking. |
| Abu Dhabi (AUH) hub | Do not assume an airport-wide status proves your flight will operate. Check Manage My Trip and any message from Etihad before travelling. |
| Rest of the network | Etihad is handling changes flight by flight. Keep your contact details updated and confirm the revised itinerary shown in your booking. |
The Kuwait cancellation is date-specific and does not prove that later services will operate or remain cancelled. Wait for Etihad to confirm your own booking before travelling to the airport.
How to check if your flight is cancelled or changed
Use your booking and direct messages from Etihad as the main record:
- Manage My Trip: Open Manage My Trip with your booking reference and surname. Review any revised itinerary or options shown there.
- Email and app notifications: Check the inbox and Etihad app linked to your booking. Update your contact details if they are wrong.
- Cross-check with Wego: Use Wego’s Etihad Airways tracker or Abu Dhabi airport tracker as a secondary check.
- Contact your travel agent: If an agent or booking platform issued the ticket, ask that company to confirm the itinerary and handle any change.
Important: Do not travel to the airport only because the route usually operates. First confirm the itinerary in your booking and keep Etihad’s cancellation or change message.
Your options: refund, rebook, or wait
The conflict does not create one universal refund or rebooking right. Your options depend on what Etihad changed, who issued the ticket, the route, applicable law and the ticket conditions.
| Situation | Who it applies to | Key condition | What Etihad says | How to request |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Etihad cancelled the flight | Passenger holding the affected Etihad ticket | The cancellation must be made by Etihad | Etihad will send the available options; its FAQ says a refund may be available, subject to conditions | Manage My Trip, the Etihad app or the ticket issuer |
| Etihad changed the schedule | Passenger contacted about a revised itinerary | Available options depend on the scale of the change and route rules | Review the alternative offered before accepting or requesting another option | Manage My Trip or the ticket issuer |
| You choose to change or cancel | Passenger whose flight has not been cancelled by Etihad | Fare conditions apply unless a specific waiver covers the booking | Change fees, fare differences, refund charges or no-show penalties may apply | Check the fare terms in the booking before confirming |
Etihad changed its flexible booking policy on 1 July 2026. Tickets issued on or after that date no longer include an automatic free date change, and the standard conditions shown at purchase apply.
Bookings issued before 1 July may retain the flexibility included when they were bought. Check the saved fare terms or ask the ticket issuer rather than assuming the newer rule applies.
How to get a refund
If you booked directly with Etihad
If your booking was made on etihad.com or through Etihad’s call centre:
- Open Etihad’s Manage My Trip.
- Enter your booking reference and surname.
- Select the affected flight and choose Cancel / Refund if that option is available.
- If the request cannot be handled online, use Etihad’s chat or WhatsApp through its Help Centre.
Etihad says card refunds typically take 5 to 14 business days. Other payment methods may take up to 45 business days, while Etihad Credit usually appears within 3 to 5 business days.
Refunds usually return to the original payment method. If that card has expired or the account is closed, ask your bank how it will handle an incoming refund.
If you booked through a travel agent or online travel agency
Start with the company that issued the ticket. Etihad directs travel-agent customers back to their agent for refunds and booking changes, and the agent’s processing time may differ from Etihad’s.
Keep the request confirmation and all replies. If a card refund has been processed, ask for its ARN reference so your bank can trace it.
How to rebook
If Etihad cancelled your flight, review the alternatives sent by email or shown in Manage My Trip. Travel-agent customers should contact the ticket issuer.
Before accepting an alternative:
- Review the whole itinerary, including onward connections and arrival date.
- Check whether the replacement uses Etihad or another airline and whether baggage will be checked through.
- Be flexible on dates, because seats on disrupted routes may be limited.
- If the ticket number does not start with 607, contact the issuing airline or agent.
- Keep written confirmation of any new flight and the fare conditions attached to it.
- If both connecting flights are Etihad-operated, Etihad says it will manage a missed connection and update the booking.
If your flight is cancelled:
- More than three days before departure: alternative options should appear in Manage My Trip.
- From two days before departure: Etihad says its team will actively help with rebooking.
What to do if you are stranded
Contact Etihad through its Help Centre or WhatsApp and ask what onward travel and welfare support applies to your booking.
If accommodation is not provided, compare nearby rooms through Wego’s Abu Dhabi hotel search. Keep every receipt, because reimbursement depends on the disruption, applicable rules and whether the cost was reasonable.
Medical needs
Tell Etihad or the airport assistance team immediately if a delay affects medication, mobility support or treatment. Keep essential medicine, prescriptions and medical documents in your hand luggage.
Save receipts for necessary medical costs and ask for written confirmation of the disruption. Your insurer or airline may require both before considering a claim.
Know your passenger rights
The UAE GCAA Passenger Welfare Programme sets care and assistance duties for UAE airlines and airports. It is separate from compensation laws that may apply to the country where your journey began.
Duty of care at Abu Dhabi airport
For a covered cancellation, GCAA rules require early information, appropriate care, onward travel when space is available, or return or rerouting within a reasonable time.
The cancellation rule specifically covers transit flights and flights not originating in the passenger’s city of residence. For delays, the care due depends on the waiting time and circumstances.
Terminal delays of three to eight hours can require meals, refreshments and communication. If a missed connection leaves more than eight hours before the next probable flight, hotel accommodation may also be due.
If you need to escalate
Ask Etihad or the ticket issuer to resolve the case first. State the remedy you want and keep the booking reference, ticket number, notices, receipts and written reply.
If the matter remains unresolved, contact the UAE GCAA customer-care team. Include the earlier complaint and explain which UAE passenger-welfare duty you believe applies.
Will travel insurance help?
It depends on your policy and when you bought it. Conflict, civil unrest and known-event exclusions can limit cover, so do not assume that every cancellation or extra cost is insured.
Ask Etihad or the ticket issuer for a refund or rebooking first. Many insurers require you to recover available money from the travel provider before they consider the remaining loss.
Keep cancellation notices and receipts for hotels, meals, transport, missed connections and medical costs. Contact the insurer before paying a large expense unless it is an emergency.
Etihad Airways contact information
| Channel | Details | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| +971 56 688 9003 | Virtual-assistant support and booking questions | |
| Online chat | Etihad Help Centre | Rebooking help and complex queries |
| Manage My Trip | etihad.com/en/manage | Itinerary changes, contact details and self-service options |
| Refund page | etihad.com – Refund | Direct-booking refund requests and tracking |
| Help centre | etihad.com – Help | Phone numbers, chat and general support |
| Etihad app | Use the app linked to your booking | Booking notifications and revised itineraries |
Practical tips
- Open Manage My Trip before leaving for the airport and save the itinerary shown there.
- Recheck the booking close to departure because regional airspace restrictions can change with little notice.
- Keep your email address and phone number current so Etihad can send changes.
- Document every disruption expense, even if reimbursement is uncertain.
- Start with the ticket issuer to avoid being passed between Etihad and an online travel platform.
- Check your government’s UAE travel advice and follow local safety alerts.
Frequently asked questions
Are Etihad flights operating right now?
Etihad has not announced a network-wide shutdown, but individual services are being cancelled. EY653 and EY654 between Abu Dhabi and Kuwait were cancelled for 19 and 20 July. Check your own booking before travelling.
Is Abu Dhabi airport open right now?
A same-day official airport-wide notice was not available when this article was updated. Check your Etihad booking instead of assuming that the airport’s general status proves your flight will operate.
Which routes are affected by the latest escalation?
Etihad confirmed cancellations for EY653 and EY654 between Abu Dhabi and Kuwait on 19 and 20 July. A complete list for every route was not available, so rely on the itinerary in your booking.
Is there a new regional disruption waiver?
Etihad had not posted a separate regional waiver for 20 July. If Etihad cancelled your flight, review the options in its email; a refund may be available subject to conditions.
What if Etihad has not cancelled my flight?
If you choose to change or cancel, your fare conditions apply unless Etihad sends a specific waiver for your booking. The regional conflict alone does not create an automatic refund.
Can I rebook for any date I want?
No. Available dates depend on the alternatives offered and seat availability. Whether a fee applies depends on Etihad’s cancellation options or your fare terms.
I booked through an online travel agency. Who should I contact first?
Start with the company that issued the ticket. Etihad directs travel-agent customers to their agent for refunds and booking changes.
How long will my refund take?
Etihad says card refunds typically take 5 to 14 business days. Other payment methods may take up to 45 business days. Bank processing can affect when the money appears.
Is it safe to travel through Abu Dhabi now?
The regional conflict is escalating. EASA classifies UAE airspace as high risk, and government travel advice can change quickly. Read your own government’s advice and follow UAE safety alerts before deciding whether to travel.
Sources
- Etihad Airways – Manage My Trip
- Etihad Airways – Help Centre
- Etihad Airways – Booking and Refund FAQs
- Etihad Airways – Cancellation and Delay FAQs
- Etihad Airways – Refund Page
- Etihad Airways – Rules and Notices
- Etihad Hub – Flexible Change Policy Update (1 July 2026)
- Associated Press – US-Iran Escalation (20 July 2026)
- The National – Etihad Kuwait Cancellations (updated 20 July 2026)
- EASA – Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman Airspace Bulletin
- UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Call for De-escalation (18 July 2026)
- Australian Government – UAE Travel Advice
- UAE GCAA – Passenger Welfare Programme
- UAE GCAA – Contact and Customer Care
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
