Dubai and Abu Dhabi are facing another day of disrupted air travel, with more than 170 flight delays recorded at the UAE’s two main international airports on Sunday. Two flydubai services between Dubai and Bahrain were also cancelled, leaving passengers advised to check their flight status before heading to the airport.
Passengers travelling through the UAE today are being urged to allow extra time and monitor updates from their airlines, as flight schedules remain subject to change.
UAE flight delays today: What is happening?
Flight-tracking data cited by The National showed 122 delays at Dubai International Airport (DXB) and 51 delays at Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi as of 3:30pm UAE time on September 13.
The figures are not necessarily the final count for the day, as flight status information continues to change throughout the operating period.
The disruption is affecting passengers in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi, although the reasons behind individual delays vary. Recent days have seen a mixture of technical, operational, weather-related and wider air-traffic disruptions across the region.
Importantly, not every delay should be attributed to regional security developments. Airlines and airports can experience separate operational problems affecting individual flights.
Dubai flight delays today: flydubai services cancelled
Dubai International Airport recorded the larger share of the delays on Sunday.
Two flydubai services connecting Dubai and Bahrain were listed as cancelled:
- FZ23: Dubai to Bahrain
- FZ24: Bahrain to Dubai
The two services are also marketed under Emirates codes EK2016 and EK2017.
According to flight-tracking information, FZ23 had been scheduled to leave Dubai at 7:10am, while the return FZ24 was due to depart Bahrain at 8:30am local time.
No specific reason for the two cancellations was given in the available flight-tracking information.
flydubai has advised passengers to check their individual booking and operational updates before travelling to the airport.
Abu Dhabi flight delays today: Etihad passengers affected
Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi recorded 51 delays and no cancellations in the afternoon data cited by The National.
One of the delayed services was Etihad flight EY654 from Kuwait to Abu Dhabi, which arrived at 1:20pm, 25 minutes behind schedule.
Etihad is also reporting individual disruptions through its official flight-status system.
For September 13, the airline confirmed that EY160 from Warsaw to Abu Dhabi was delayed because of a technical issue.
Etihad has also reported recent technical disruptions affecting other services, including the cancellation of EY237 from Bengaluru to Abu Dhabi on September 12 after a delay.
Are Emirates flights delayed today?
Emirates passengers travelling through Dubai should check their individual flight status before leaving for Dubai International Airport.
The airline has previously advised customers affected by changing operations to keep their contact information up to date and monitor flight information through its official channels.
Because flight conditions can change during the day, a general airport delay figure should not be treated as confirmation that a particular Emirates flight is delayed.
Passengers should check their flight number, departure airport and travel date directly with Emirates.
Are Etihad flights delayed today?
Yes, some Etihad services have experienced delays, but the situation differs from flight to flight.
Etihad's official flight-status page currently lists a delay affecting EY160 from Warsaw to Abu Dhabi on September 13, with the airline citing a technical issue.
The carrier is also maintaining individual updates for passengers affected by earlier disruptions.
Travellers should therefore rely on their specific booking status rather than assuming that all Etihad flights are operating under the same conditions.
What should passengers flying from the UAE do today?
If you are travelling from Dubai, Abu Dhabi or another UAE airport today, there are several practical steps worth taking before leaving home.
Check your flight before going to the airport
Do not rely solely on the original departure time shown on your ticket.
Check the latest status directly with your airline and, where available, the airport's flight information system.
Allow extra time
Passengers affected by delays may face longer queues at check-in, baggage drop and airport security.
Arriving early is particularly important when travelling during periods of changing schedules.
Keep your phone available
Airlines may send schedule changes, cancellation notices or rebooking information by SMS or email.
Make sure the contact information attached to your booking is correct.
Check connecting flights
A delay of one flight can have a knock-on effect if you have a connecting service.
Passengers with connections should check both sectors of their journey before leaving for the airport.
Why are UAE flights being disrupted?
The current disruption does not have one single confirmed cause.
Flight operations in the UAE have recently been affected by a combination of circumstances, including technical problems, operational issues, weather and wider air-traffic disruption.
Earlier in the week, a UK air-traffic control system problem also contributed to disruption affecting some UAE services.
At the same time, airlines continue to adjust some regional routes as they monitor the broader security situation.
That means passengers should avoid assuming that a delay automatically means a flight has been cancelled or that the entire airport is closed.
Dubai and Abu Dhabi flights: What happens next?
The situation remains fluid, and today's delay figures can change as airlines update their schedules and flights depart.
For passengers already booked to travel, the most important information remains the status of their individual flight.
Dubai International Airport provides live arrival and departure information for DXB, while Etihad maintains its own flight-status service for passengers travelling through Abu Dhabi.
The Gulf Stars will continue monitoring the UAE flight situation and update this report as new confirmed information becomes available.
