The United Arab Emirates has published passenger flight services as of 7 September 2026, but regional security risks and short-notice disruption remain. The US and Australia advise reconsidering travel; Canada advises against non-essential travel.
What’s Happening Right Now
Official advisories continue to describe an unpredictable regional security situation, with a risk of further attacks and flight disruption.
The practical picture for the UAE
- Published schedules include flights from Dubai and Sharjah. These do not establish that all UAE flights are operating on time.
- Wego’s timetable lists Emirates EK5 Dubai–London Heathrow at 15:25–20:15 daily through 27 September 2026.
Official advisories say the situation remains unpredictable and could change at short notice. Confirm your specific flight with your airline and check your government’s latest advice before you travel.
For the wider regional picture, see our Middle East travel update.
Flights and Airports
UAE airspace
Short-notice airspace restrictions remain possible. Services at Dubai International (DXB), Zayed International (AUH), and Sharjah (SHJ) must be distinguished from a claim that all airport operations are normal; published schedules alone cannot verify that.
EASA’s revised Gulf bulletin, valid through 30 September 2026 unless reviewed earlier, advises against flights over Persian Gulf waters except as necessary for airport arrivals and departures, and against flights over Gulf of Oman waters west of 58°E. It calls for caution over land and current operational risk assessments. For more detail, see our UAE Airspace & Flight Status guide.
Airlines flying to the UAE
- Emirates has Dubai–London Heathrow EK5 in Wego’s daily timetable through 27 September 2026. This timetable does not establish the status of the airline’s entire network.
- Etihad Airways and Air Arabia have route-specific schedules, as does flydubai; Wego lists Air Arabia G9597 Sharjah–Cairo at 19:00–21:45 daily through 18 October 2026. Exact current Etihad and flydubai departures were not confirmed in this check. Times are local; timetable listings are not live flight or seat-availability confirmations.
- Emirates’ current notice cancels Dubai–Jakarta EK356 on 7 September because of volcanic ash at Jakarta. This is a route-specific disruption, not evidence of a UAE airport closure.
Because schedules are changing at short notice, confirm your specific flight via your airline before you travel. For airline-specific detail, see our Emirates and Etihad rebooking guides.
UAE airports
Published services do not establish that every airport is operating normally. The official Australian advisory warns that UAE airspace may open or close at short notice, affecting Dubai and Abu Dhabi flights.
Before You Travel: A Quick Checklist
- Confirm your flight via your airline’s app or website — a good habit for any international trip right now.
- Check your government’s latest travel advisory for the UAE.
- Make sure your travel insurance covers your destination, including any war-risk or military-action exclusions.
- If your booking is affected by any changes, visit our support page, or check My Trips and our status page for updates.
You can also compare flights to Dubai and hotels in Dubai on Wego.
Planning to fly via a nearby hub? See our guides on whether it is safe to fly to Dubai right now and travel to Qatar.
If you’re in the UAE
- Register with your embassy so they can reach you if needed. US citizens: enroll in STEP. UK citizens: sign up for FCDO travel-advice email alerts. Canadians: register your presence.
- Stay informed via local news and official channels, and keep notifications enabled for any UAE emergency alerts.
Government travel advisories
Government advisories should always be read in full, not just by the headline level. Current levels differ by government and remain relevant even when flights are available.
| Authority | Current guidance |
|---|---|
| UK FCDO | No blanket advice against travel; warns of regional escalation, possible flight cancellations and periodic airspace closures. |
| US State Department | Level 3: Reconsider Travel. The 29 August advisory permits family members to join US government employees in the UAE; restrictions apply to employee visits to military and critical energy sites. |
| Australia Smartraveller | Level 3: Reconsider your need to travel, due to the unpredictable security situation in the UAE and region. |
| France | Calls for heightened vigilance, following local alerts and shelter instructions, and avoiding security or military sites. |
| Canada | Advises avoiding non-essential travel due to the volatile regional security situation. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to travel to the UAE right now?
Published UAE flight services do not guarantee safety. The US and Australia advise reconsidering travel, and Canada advises avoiding non-essential travel because of regional security risks.
Is Dubai Airport open?
Dubai has published passenger services, including Emirates EK5 to London Heathrow daily through 27 September 2026. This does not confirm all flights are operating or that there are no short-notice restrictions.
Can I transit through the UAE?
Connections are offered, but published schedules do not guarantee either leg will operate on time. Government advice on regional risk also matters for transit. See our guide: Is It Safe to Transit Through Dubai?
Which airlines are flying to the UAE?
Verified timetable examples include Emirates EK5 Dubai–London Heathrow and Air Arabia G9597 Sharjah–Cairo. These do not confirm normal operations across those airlines or establish a current suspension list for other routes.
What is the latest on regional travel conditions?
Official advisories describe continuing regional volatility and possible further attacks, flight cancellations and short-notice airspace restrictions — see our Middle East travel update for more.
Sources
- UK FCDO — UAE Travel Advice
- US State Department — UAE Travel Advisory (Level 3)
- US Embassy Abu Dhabi / Consulate Dubai — Security Alert, 17 July 2026
- Australia Smartraveller — UAE
- Government of Canada — UAE Travel Advice
- EASA — Conflict Zone Information Bulletins, Gulf airspace
- The National — Kuwait/Bahrain flight disruption and fresh US travel warning, 20 July 2026
- Dubai Airports — Operational Updates
- Wego — Middle East Travel Update
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.
