Is It Safe to Transit Through Dubai Amid Gulf Tensions?

Last updated: Sep 7, 2026

Table of Contents

What’s Happening in the Gulf Right Now

As of 7 September 2026, Dubai International Airport (DXB) remains open and operating. Government advisories continue to warn of regional conflict risks and possible sudden disruption.

For transit passengers routing through Dubai, both security advice and the two flight sectors matter: operating services coexist with delays, reroutes and extended airline suspensions.

Is Dubai Airport Open Right Now?

Yes — DXB is open, with the 7 September arrivals board recording flights at all three terminals.

EASA’s bulletin, revised on 31 August and valid through 30 September 2026 unless reviewed earlier, recommends avoiding Persian Gulf waters in the Bahrain, Kuwait, Doha and Emirates FIRs except where necessary for arrivals or departures. It also recommends avoiding Gulf of Oman waters west of 58°E in the Muscat FIR, and exercising caution over land. This is an operator safety advisory, not a blanket closure of those countries’ airspace.

This is why the airport itself stays open while a number of international carriers have paused or rerouted their Dubai services — the two facts are not contradictory. Emirates and flydubai continue to run the bulk of the DXB schedule.

Which Airlines Are Flying Through Dubai?

Whether your flight operates depends on its airline, route and date. Current airport listings confirm services through Dubai, while several long-haul carriers retain suspensions lasting into autumn or later.

Airlines Currently Operating via Dubai

Airline	Current status
Emirates	Dubai Airports’ 7 September board listed Emirates departures to London Heathrow (EK001), Amsterdam (EK147) and Tokyo Haneda (EK312) at final call, and Frankfurt (EK045) boarding. Check Emirates flight status for live updates.
flydubai	Operating a reduced schedule from DXB, with some routes rerouted around restricted airspace, extending connection times.
Etihad Airways	Etihad’s hub is Abu Dhabi (AUH), not DXB. An Etihad itinerary via Abu Dhabi is a different airport connection from Dubai.
Qatar Airways	Dubai Airports listed Doha–Dubai QR1006 at Terminal 1 on 7 September, scheduled for 10:15 with an updated arrival time of 09:41.
Air India & IndiGo	On 7 September, Dubai Airports recorded Air India AI4215 from Mumbai as arrived at DXB Terminal 1 and Air India Express IX193 from Lucknow as landed at Terminal 2; IndiGo 6E1471 from Chennai was listed with an updated arrival time at Terminal 1.

Airlines With Suspended or Reduced Dubai Service

Several long-haul international carriers have suspended Dubai routes for extended periods rather than day-to-day rerouting. If you’re connecting via one of these airlines, you will need to rebook.

Airline	Suspension status
British Airways	Some Dubai flights are cancelled or temporarily suspended. The current British Airways travel notice does not state a firm route-wide restart date.
Singapore Airlines	Daily Singapore–Dubai service is scheduled to resume on 25 October 2026.
Air Canada & ITA Airways	Air Canada: Dubai cancellations until mid-January 2027. ITA Airways: Dubai flights suspended through 24 October 2026.
AirBaltic	Dubai flights suspended until 24 October 2026.
Cathay Pacific	Dubai flights cancelled through 30 November 2026 inclusive, according to the 4 September notice.
Lufthansa Group (Lufthansa, SWISS and Eurowings)	Lufthansa and SWISS: Dubai suspended through 24 October 2026. Eurowings also remains suspended and plans Dubai flights from 1 November, according to the group’s 1 September notice.
KLM	Amsterdam–Dubai flights cancelled through 24 October 2026 inclusive.
Wizz Air	A September restart could not be confirmed from a current official notice; do not treat the previously reported date as confirmed availability.

These dates are subject to change. Check your airline’s travel-updates page directly before assuming your routing is affected.

What Government Travel Advisories Say

Governments still advise caution on non-essential travel to the region, even though the UAE itself remains open and functioning.

Government	Current advisory
US State Department	Level 3: Reconsider Travel due to armed-conflict and terrorism risks. The 29 August advisory allows family members to join US government employees in the UAE.
UK Foreign Office (FCDO)	No blanket advice against travel to the UAE, but the FCDO warns that the regional situation is unpredictable and further attacks or escalation could occur at short notice.
Australian Government (Smartraveller)	Reconsider your need to travel, including transit and layovers, because of the volatile regional security situation.
Canada	Avoid non-essential travel to the UAE because of missile, drone and flight-disruption risks.

Both the US Embassy and the UK FCDO advise staying alert to local guidance and avoiding areas near military or security facilities.

What This Means for Transit Passengers

If you’re transiting through Dubai — staying airside and catching a connection — DXB is open across all terminals, and your own routing matters more than the general Gulf headlines.

Emirates, flydubai, Qatar Airways, Air India, Air India Express and IndiGo appear on Dubai’s 7 September flight board. Etihad’s hub is Abu Dhabi, not Dubai.
If either leg of your connection is on British Airways, Singapore Airlines, Air Canada, ITA Airways, AirBaltic, Cathay Pacific, a Lufthansa Group airline, KLM, or Wizz Air, check whether your specific route is one of the ones currently suspended.
Flights may reroute around restricted or higher-risk airspace, so build in extra time even on operating carriers.

Dubai Transit Visa Rules: Do You Need One?

Whether you need a transit visa depends on whether you plan to leave the airport during your layover, not on the current security situation.

Staying airside (within the airport): if your connecting flight departs within 24 hours and you remain inside the transit area, you generally do not need a visa. DXB’s transit area has lounges, restaurants, duty-free shopping, and rest zones.

Leaving the airport: if you want to step outside — to visit a hotel in Dubai or see the city — you must meet UAE entry requirements. A pre-arranged transit visa is needed if you are not eligible for visa-free entry, visa-on-arrival or another valid entry permission.

Transit visa type	Details
48-hour transit visa	Emirates lists US$10 including VAT, with additional processing fees where applicable. Valid for entry within 30 days of issue and a stay of 48 hours; non-extendable. Arrange approval before arrival.
96-hour transit visa	Emirates lists US$49 including VAT, with additional processing fees where applicable. Valid for entry within 30 days of issue and a stay of 96 hours; non-extendable. Arrange approval before arrival.

Both visa types are single-entry, non-extendable, and non-convertible. Many nationalities are eligible for visa-on-arrival in the UAE and do not need a pre-arranged transit visa — check with the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) for your nationality’s specific requirements.

Standard UAE overstay fines are AED 50 per day after your permitted stay or applicable grace period expires. If you are at risk of overstaying, confirm your individual status and any exemption with GDRFA or ICP.

Given the wider security situation, transit passengers should still think carefully about whether leaving the airport is necessary, and keep movements to essential journeys where advisories recommend it.

Practical Tips for Transiting Through Dubai Right Now

Check your flight status before leaving for the airport. Use the Wego flight tracker, Emirates flight status page, or flydubai flight status page. Short-notice changes are still likely.
Allow extra connection time. Follow the minimum connection time for your ticket and terminals, and allow a buffer for disruption where your itinerary permits.
Know your terminal. Emirates uses Terminal 3; flydubai uses Terminal 2 and selected Terminal 3 routes. flydubai specifies a minimum 120-minute connection between Terminals 2 and 3, with an airside Connections bus; baggage and separate-ticket arrangements can change the transfer requirements.
Confirm whether your airline has suspended your route. If either leg is on one of the carriers currently pausing Dubai flights, contact your airline about rebooking onto an operating carrier or an alternative routing well before travel.
Download your airline’s app. Push notifications for schedule changes are the fastest way to stay informed during operational disruptions.
Have a backup plan. If your connection is tight, check whether an alternative routing is available. Search for flights to Dubai on Wego to compare options across airlines.
Carry essentials in your hand luggage. During disruption periods, checked baggage is more likely to be delayed or misrouted. Keep medications, chargers, and a change of clothes with you.

Should You Transit Through Dubai Right Now?

Transit flights through Dubai are available, but whether they fit your trip depends on your specific airline, routing, and government advisory rather than the general Gulf headlines.

DXB is open and operating, with Emirates and flydubai flights appearing on the current airport board.
Several long-haul carriers have extended Dubai cancellations into October, November or January 2027; the dates vary by airline.
Official advisories still describe the regional situation as unpredictable, and airspace risk assessments can require rerouting.

The practical takeaway: check your specific airline and route, build in extra connection time, keep a backup plan, and review your government’s advisory before deciding whether to transit through Dubai.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Dubai airport safe right now?

Dubai International Airport is open and operating across all terminals. Governments still advise caution given the regional situation, and short-notice disruption remains possible, so confirm your flight before traveling.

Can I still transit through Dubai if my airline is European?

It depends on the airline. Lufthansa, SWISS, KLM, ITA Airways and airBaltic have suspended Dubai flights through 24 October 2026. British Airways reports affected services without a firm route-wide restart date in its current notice.

Do I need a visa to transit through Dubai airport?

If you remain airside, you generally do not need to enter the UAE. To leave the transit area, you must meet UAE entry rules. Travellers who are not eligible for visa-free entry or visa-on-arrival need appropriate advance permission; UAE airlines sponsor 48-hour and 96-hour transit visas.

How long should I allow for a connection at DXB?

The required connection time depends on the ticket and terminals. flydubai specifies at least 120 minutes between Terminals 2 and 3. Allow extra time for disruption; separate tickets or baggage collection may require immigration and additional processing.

Are Emirates flights being delayed or rerouted?

Emirates is operating flights through DXB, but rerouting and delays remain possible. The 7 September board listed EK038 from Birmingham and EK766 from Johannesburg as delayed. Check Emirates travel updates for changes.

Can I get a refund if I don’t want to transit through Dubai?

Airlines with suspended Dubai routes are generally offering rebooking or refunds for affected flights. Check your airline’s travel-updates page for the current terms that apply to your booking.

Sources

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.