Travelling to UAE? Emirates, Etihad cancel flights on Kuwait, Saudi Arabia routes

As tensions in the Middle East continue to impact regional air travel, several airlines have cancelled or adjusted flights between the UAE, Kuwait and parts of Saudi Arabia. While most airline networks remain operational, passengers are being requested to check their flight status before heading to the airport.According to a report by Gulf News, the disruptions are linked to ongoing regional security concerns and airspace-related operational issues.Kuwait-bound flights hit by cancellationsSeveral UAE carriers have suspended services to and from Kuwait over the weekend.Etihad Airways cancelled flights EY653 and EY654 between Abu Dhabi's Zayed International Airport and Kuwait International Airport on July 19 and 20, citing operational reasons.The airline has advised affected passengers to update their contact details for the latest travel updates and rebooking assistance.Emirates also cancelled eight flights between Dubai and Kuwait, affecting the following services:Dubai to KuwaitEK853EK855EK857EK860Kuwait to DubaiEK854EK856EK858EK860Air Arabia suspends multiple Kuwait servicesAir Arabia cancelled several flights connecting Sharjah and Abu Dhabi with Kuwait.Cancelled services include:Sharjah to Kuwait: G9068, G9124, G9121Kuwait to Sharjah: G9069, G9125 (while G9122 had not yet departed)Abu Dhabi to Kuwait: 3L020, 3L022Kuwait to Abu Dhabi: 3L021 (3L023 had not yet departed)The airline said it continues operating its wider network, though select Kuwait and Saudi Arabia routes remain affected.Saudi Arabia routes also disruptedFlight operations at Abha International Airport in Saudi Arabia have also been impacted.flydubai confirmed the cancellation of flight FZ811 between Dubai and Abha, while FZ815 is operating as scheduled.Air Arabia's Sharjah-Abha services have also seen cancellations. However, domestic Saudi flights connecting Abha with cities including Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Medina and Tabuk continue to operate.Why are flights being affected?The disruptions come amid rising tensions in the region. Kuwait temporarily suspended take-offs and landings at Kuwait International Airport after reported Iranian drone threats, prompting airlines to revise schedules and cancel select services. Kuwait Airways has since rescheduled the majority of its commercial flights.What airlines are advising passengersDespite the disruptions, UAE carriers including Emirates, Etihad, flydubai and Air Arabia continue to operate most of their networks.Passengers are advised to:Check their flight status directly with the airline before travelling.Arrive early at airports, particularly Dubai International Airport, due to the busy summer travel season.Monitor updates on delays, cancellations and rebooking options before departure.Catch the latest World News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.