The UAE has suspended all Iranian airline operations in its airspace following fresh US sanctions targeting companies linked to Iran's aviation sector. Flights to Baghdad, Najaf, Erbil and Sulaimaniyah have also been halted as part of the same measure.
The move triggered a chain of disruptions across carriers operating out of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. Flydubai and Air Arabia cancelled several routes, including Dubai-Abha (FZ815, FZ816), Dubai-Catania (FZ1501, FZ1502), and multiple Abu Dhabi-Kuwait, Abu Dhabi-Bahrain and Sharjah services to Jizan, Kuwait and Bahrain. Emirates and Etihad are reporting delays on flights to London, Washington, Sydney and several South Asian destinations.
Internationally, Air France, Singapore Airlines, KLM, Swiss and ITA Airways have extended their suspensions through October 13-24, while Air Canada has pushed its cancellations to mid-January 2027. Turkish Airlines has resumed service to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, though its Tehran routes remain suspended.
Separately, the UAE lifted entry restrictions imposed on travellers from Uganda over the Ebola outbreak, after the country completed the required international monitoring period. Precautionary restrictions remain in place for arrivals from the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan.
Airport authorities are urging passengers to confirm their flight status directly with airlines before heading to the airport to avoid confusion and wasted travel time.