Hundreds of Passengers Affected across Middle East as UAE, Jordan, Egypt, Israel, Saudi Arabia and more Face 36 Flight Cancellations and 1,079 New Delays by Flydubai, Egypt Air, Saudia, Royal Jordanian and others, Impacting Airports in Dubai, Amman, Cairo, Tel Aviv, Riyadh and more

A sudden wave of flight disruptions is currently rippling through the Middle East, leaving hundreds of travelers searching for answers. Operational hurdles have surfaced across the UAE, Jordan, Egypt and Israel, as well as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Türkiye. Major aviation hubs are now feeling the weight of these schedule changes. From the busy terminals of Dubai and Amman to the crowded gates in Cairo and Tel Aviv, passengers face mounting uncertainties. Furthermore, key transit points in Riyadh, Dammam, Kuwait City and Istanbul report a surge in stalled departures. There’s a total of 36 flight cancellations and 1,079 delays reported. These delays impact both regional business travel and international tourism. Consequently, travelers should stay informed as the situation evolves. This report provides a detailed breakdown of the affected carriers and airports to help you navigate this challenging travel landscape effectively.

The scale of the disruption is most visible at the region’s busiest transit points. In the UAE, Dubai International Airport has emerged as the most heavily impacted site, with 22 total cancellations and 431 delays recorded within a single 24-hour window. This hub, which serves as a vital bridge between East and West, is currently grappling with the logistical challenge of managing hundreds of stalled flight schedules.

Further west, Cairo International Airport in Egypt has reported 3 cancellations and 189 delays. While the number of outright cancellations remains low, the high volume of delayed flights suggests a significant backlog in ground operations and air traffic flow. Similarly, in Saudi Arabia, King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh has faced 2 cancellations and 157 delays, while King Fahd International Airport in Dammam recorded 1 cancellation and 40 delays.

In Israel, Ben Gurion International Airport has been met with 3 cancellations and 56 delays. Meanwhile, in Jordan, Queen Alia International Airport reported 1 cancellation and 23 delays. Other notable disruptions were observed at Kuwait International Airport in Kuwait, where 2 cancellations and 77 delays occurred and Istanbul Airport in Türkiye, which saw 2 cancellations and 106 delays.

The operational burden of these delays and cancellations has been distributed across several major carriers.

Flydubai has been identified as the most affected airline in the Middle East today. The carrier has seen 24 of its flights cancelled and 175 flights delayed across multiple jurisdictions, including the UAE, Israel, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

In Egypt, the national carrier Egypt Air is managing a substantial portion of the disruption, with 2 cancellations and 81 delays reported at its primary hub in Cairo. Royal Jordanian has also been affected, with a combined total of 2 cancellations and 12 delays spread across its operations in Jordan and Egypt.

Other international and regional carriers have not been spared. Saudia, the flagship carrier of Saudi Arabia, has recorded 2 cancellations and 41 delays at King Khalid International. In Türkiye, Air Algerie reported 2 cancellations and 2 delays at Istanbul Airport. European carriers such as KLM and Transavia also faced localized disruptions, with KLM reporting 3 cancellations across Dubai and Tel Aviv, while Transavia recorded a single cancellation in Dubai.

The widespread nature of these flight irregularities is expected to have a ripple effect on the local tourism sectors within the Middle East. In the UAE, where Dubai serves as a global tourism magnet, the delay of over 400 flights could lead to a temporary strain on hotel capacities and localized transportation services as passengers await rescheduled departures.

In Egypt and Jordan, where historical tourism relies heavily on strict itineraries and pre-booked tours, the delays at Cairo International and Queen Alia International may result in missed connections for regional excursions. The impact in Saudi Arabia is equally noteworthy, as disruptions at Riyadh and Dammam can affect both business travel and the movement of religious pilgrims.

Furthermore, the disruptions in Israel, Kuwait and Türkiye underscore the interconnectedness of the regional aviation network. When major hubs like Istanbul or Dubai experience high volumes of delays, the schedules of inbound and outbound tourists are often shifted, leading to a temporary reduction in the efficiency of the local hospitality and retail sectors that rely on the steady flow of international visitors.

For those currently navigating the travel challenges in the UAE, Jordan, Egypt, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Türkiye, several steps can be taken to mitigate the inconvenience.

• Real-Time Monitoring: Passengers are advised to monitor the official websites of their respective airports and airlines. Because the situation is fluid, digital boarding passes and flight status apps should be refreshed frequently for the most accurate departure times.
• Documentation: It is recommended that all communication from airlines regarding delays or cancellations be saved. This documentation is essential for any potential insurance claims or requests for compensation under the terms of the carriage agreement.
• Alternative Routing: In cases where cancellations have occurred—particularly for Flydubai or Egypt Air passengers—it is often beneficial to inquire about rerouting options through secondary hubs, provided that visa requirements and travel regulations allow for such changes.
• Lounge and Accommodation Access: Passengers facing extended delays at major hubs like Dubai International or Istanbul Airport should inquire with their carriers regarding vouchers for meals or overnight accommodation, as many airlines provide these services when disruptions exceed a specific time threshold.

The aviation landscape in the Middle East remains under pressure today. While the resilience of the infrastructure in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Egypt is well-established, the sheer volume of 1,079 delays indicates that schedule recovery may take some time. Passengers are encouraged to remain patient and proactive as airlines work to restore the normalcy of the regional flight network.

-The information provided is sourced from FlightAware.