Travellers flying from Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah faced cancellations and delays on Monday, October 12, with Saudi routes among the services affected.
For passengers, the immediate priority is to establish whether their particular flight is operating. A cancelled service to one Saudi airport does not settle the status of another departure, even when both flights are with the same airline.
Saudi Routes Face Uneven Disruption
Gulf News’ Monday update listed disruptions involving Emirates, flydubai and Air Arabia, alongside Etihad’s cancellations from Abu Dhabi:
- Emirates: Dubai services to Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah were affected on October 12 and 13.
- flydubai: Riyadh and Dammam cancellations were reported, while Jeddah, AlUla and Neom services were operating.
- Air Arabia: Selected Sharjah flights to Riyadh, Abha, Gassim and Taif were affected.
These are route-specific updates, rather than an indication that all flights from the three UAE hubs have stopped. Nor should every cancellation be assigned the same cause: individual services may also be disrupted for operational or technical reasons.
Etihad’s Cancelled Flights Differ by Date
Etihad’s official notice confirms cancellations between Abu Dhabi and Dammam, Jeddah and Riyadh on October 12–13 because of regional disruption. The carrier warns that further changes remain possible.
Among Monday’s cancelled departures from Abu Dhabi are EY575 and EY573 to Dammam, EY601 and EY603 to Jeddah, and EY559 and EY555 to Riyadh. The notice also lists the corresponding return services.
Tuesday’s cancellation list is different. For Riyadh, it identifies EY551 from Abu Dhabi and EY552 in the opposite direction. Travellers departing on October 13 should therefore check that day’s notice rather than assume Monday’s flight numbers apply to their booking.
Check the Operating Airline Before Leaving Home
Use your flight number and departure date to check the airline’s latest status. For a codeshare, verify the airline actually operating the aircraft, not just the carrier whose code appears on the ticket. Etihad’s status page explicitly directs passengers on partner-operated services to the operating airline’s website.
The other airlines’ official tools are available here:
- Emirates flight status
- flydubai flight status
- Air Arabia flight status
Keep your email address and mobile number current in the booking. flydubai’s operational guidance also notes that rerouting can increase journey times and advises customers who booked through an agent to contact that agent about their options.
Rebooking, Connections and Saudi Travel Advice
If a cancellation affects a connecting journey, ask the airline or ticket issuer to review the complete itinerary before buying a replacement flight. Confirm what happens to the onward and return sectors, and whether a proposed alternative still leaves enough time to connect.
flydubai’s published disruption policy provides free rebooking for qualifying cancellations and schedule changes, including travel within 30 days before or after the original date. Outside that window, a fare difference may apply. Its stated refund option is a voucher, subject to eligibility and any applicable statutory rights; passengers should not assume the same arrangement applies at every airline.
There is a separate security consideration for Saudi-bound travellers. Australia’s travel advice, updated October 12, advises against travel to Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport and urges travellers to reconsider their need to visit other Saudi airports. This is Australian government advice, not a statement that all Saudi airports are closed.
We have also covered the Riyadh airport suspension and its effect on flights. Anyone with an imminent booking should use that background alongside the latest airline notice: an earlier timetable or a previously confirmed reservation cannot establish whether today’s departure will operate.
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