Zayed International Airport (AUH) is open and handling flights. Iran struck US-linked targets across the Gulf on 2 September and launched drones at a UAE airbase on 31 August, and Abu Dhabi’s airport has run behind schedule since. It has not closed. Check your flight number before you travel.
Last updated: 4 September 2026.
Abu Dhabi Airport at a glance
| Official name | Zayed International Airport (AUH) |
|---|---|
| Status | Open. Delays on many routes this week and a small number of cancellations. |
| Terminal | All flights use Terminal A. There are no inter-terminal transfers. |
| Home airline | Etihad Airways, operating its full network with day-to-day delays |
| Airspace | Open. EASA’s Gulf bulletin runs to 30 September 2026 but exempts arrivals and departures at UAE airports. |
What the renewed strikes mean at AUH
The strikes are close enough to matter and far enough away that the airport keeps running. On 31 August Iran launched drones at US military assets at Al Minhad airbase in the UAE. UAE defences intercepted them and no damage was reported. After the United States struck Iranian targets on the night of 1 September, Iran fired missiles and drones at US-linked sites in Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan on 2 September.
The effect at Zayed International has been schedule slippage rather than closure. Etihad has been the most affected UAE carrier, with delays across more than fifteen routes on 3 September. Its own alerts show Abu Dhabi to Sochi cancelled on 4 September and delays to Warsaw, Manila and Milan the same day, plus a ramp return on an inbound from London on 2 September. Fewer flights were affected on Thursday than on Wednesday.
None of this closes the airport, and the UAE has not restricted domestic travel. What it does mean is that a valid ticket is not a promise that today’s flight leaves on time.
Airlines at Zayed International
Etihad and Air Arabia Abu Dhabi carry most of the traffic. Regional connections are intact: Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Gulf Air from Bahrain and Oman Air from Muscat all have Abu Dhabi in their current published schedules. Etihad’s own Kuwait and Bahrain services, which were being cancelled through July, are back in the timetable.
The gap at Abu Dhabi is European long-haul. Wego’s schedule data shows no published nonstop service at AUH from British Airways, Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian, Brussels Airlines, Wizz Air or Air Astana.
| Airline | Abu Dhabi status |
|---|---|
| Etihad Airways | Operating its full network, with the heaviest delays of any UAE carrier this week |
| Air Arabia Abu Dhabi | Operating, with some delays |
| Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines | Operating to Abu Dhabi |
| Gulf Air, Oman Air | Operating from Bahrain and Muscat |
| Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian, Brussels | Suspended, due back 24 October 2026 |
| Wizz Air | Suspended, due back 24 October 2026 |
| British Airways | Suspended, due back 25 October 2026 |
Treat every return date as provisional. Several of these carriers have moved theirs more than once.
If your flight is cancelled
Go back to whoever sold you the ticket before you buy anything else. Etihad contacts affected passengers with their options and will rebook a cancelled flight, though a change you request yourself may carry a fee depending on your fare. Lufthansa Group says passengers hit by its Abu Dhabi suspension can rebook for a later date at no charge or take a full refund. British Airways is offering eligible passengers refunds or flexible changes.
If a travel agent or an online platform issued your ticket, that seller has to process the change, not the airline.
Alternative airports
Only move airports once you hold a confirmed booking on the new one. Dubai is roughly ninety minutes away by road in normal traffic, Sharjah a little further, and Muscat is an international border crossing with its own entry rules.
- Dubai International (DXB) has by far the widest choice of replacement flights.
- Al Maktoum International (DWC) is served by only a handful of carriers, so check which Dubai airport your new ticket names.
- Sharjah International (SHJ) is the Air Arabia base and useful for regional and South Asian routes.
- Muscat International (MCT) means a cross-border road journey and the right documents for Oman.
Getting to and from the airport
Airport taxis are metered, take cash or card and run 24 hours. Uber and Careem show the fare in the app and pick up at the designated ride-hailing zone. The A1 bus to Al Zahiyah costs about AED 4 and needs a Hafilat card, because cash is not accepted on board.
If you are waiting on a rescheduled flight, search hotels in Abu Dhabi on Wego and compare a night near the airport against one in the city. Live departure and arrival information is on our Zayed International Airport page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Abu Dhabi Airport open right now?
Yes. Zayed International is open and handling flights on 4 September 2026. Delays are common this week and a small number of flights have been cancelled.
Was Abu Dhabi hit in the latest strikes?
No. Drones were launched at Al Minhad airbase in the UAE on 31 August and were intercepted with no reported damage. The 2 September strikes hit US-linked sites in Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan, not the UAE.
When do European airlines return to Abu Dhabi?
Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian, Brussels Airlines and Wizz Air are due back on 24 October 2026, and British Airways on 25 October. Those dates have already moved more than once.
Should I go to the airport without a confirmed flight?
No. Check the flight number with the airline first. A valid ticket does not confirm that today’s service will operate.
Sources
- Etihad Airways, flight status and latest travel updates
- Zayed International Airport, Abu Dhabi
- EASA, Conflict Zone Information Bulletin CZIB-2026-07R2
- Al Jazeera, UAE intercepts drone after US and Iran exchange attacks, 31 August 2026
- The National, flights delayed and cancelled at Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports, 3 September 2026
- The National, which airlines are flying and which remain suspended, 1 September 2026
- UK FCDO, United Arab Emirates travel advice
- Government of Canada, United Arab Emirates travel advice
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.
