- Flight Disruptions
- Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports hit by 124 delays and 22 cancellations after airspace closures
Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports hit by 124 delays and 22 cancellations after airspace closures
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Checked by Matteo Floris
Last updated on 16 April 2026
146
Affected flights
2
Affected airports
4
Affected airlines
Disruption overview
Travel through Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) was heavily disrupted on 15 April 2026 after 124 flights were delayed and 22 flights were canceled following overnight airspace closures in Iran and Iraq. Emirates, flydubai, Air Arabia, and IndiGo were among the airlines affected, with routes to Mumbai, London, and Jeddah seeing some of the biggest impact. For passengers, this meant missed connections, long lines, and higher hotel costs as airlines worked through rebookings. Because the disruption was caused by external airspace restrictions rather than an airline-controlled issue, compensation is unlikely, but airlines should still provide care and assistance.
Disruption details
Passengers traveling through Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) on 15 April 2026 faced widespread disruption after 124 flights were delayed and 22 flights were canceled. For passengers, that meant missed connections, long waits, and sudden changes at two of the UAE's busiest hubs.
The disruption quickly spread across the network:
124 flights were delayed and 22 were canceled across Dubai International Airport and Abu Dhabi International Airport.
Emirates, flydubai, Air Arabia, and IndiGo all confirmed disruption to their operations.
Routes linking the UAE with Mumbai, London, and Jeddah were among the hardest hit.
Airlines including Emirates, flydubai, and Air Arabia saw their schedules affected, while IndiGo canceled 9 UAE services and warned that more could follow if normal overflight permits aren't restored. Some of the busiest city pairs affected were Mumbai, London, and Jeddah, which are key routes for both business travel and religious travel into the United Arab Emirates.
The immediate cause was the overnight closure of parts of Iranian and Iraqi airspace. Aircraft had to take longer routes, burning more fuel and pushing crews toward the limits of how long they can work, which then created knock-on disruption the following morning. The closures were linked to wider regional tensions and were outside the airlines' direct control.
If you were traveling through DXB around midday, you may have faced immigration lines of more than 90 minutes as passengers who missed onward flights tried to rebook. With many travelers needing overnight stays, nearby hotel prices rose by about 35% after airlines started booking rooms for stranded passengers.
Travelers were also urged to keep digital copies of their tickets and airline delay certificates. The UAE's Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security accepts these documents when handling fee waivers or emergency visa extensions.
Pressure on the main hubs was high enough that some companies in the Jebel Ali Free Zone shifted crew changes to Ras Al Khaimah Airport to avoid extra congestion in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Until the wider regional tension eases, UAE airports may be operating with less room for error. That means even smaller incidents could lead to fresh delays or cancellations, so if you're traveling soon, it may help to keep plans flexible, register with your embassy, and follow live updates in the UAE Pass smart-gate app.
By 16 April, most of the immediate disruption had already worked its way through the system, but airlines haven't ruled out further schedule changes if overflight permissions remain limited.
Because this disruption was caused by external airspace restrictions rather than something the airlines could control, compensation under EC 261 is usually unlikely. Even so, if your flight was delayed or canceled, your airline should still offer rebooking or a refund, plus food, refreshments, and accommodation when needed. Although compensation is unlikely here, that doesn't mean you're without support. If you want to understand what may apply to your trip, AirHelp's free flight checker is a simple place to start.
Know your rights
These are your air passenger rights
When your flight's disrupted, you may be entitled to various forms of care and compensation under EC 261 and other applicable laws.
Rerouting or refund
If your flight is canceled, your airline must provide an alternative. You may also get a full refund if you no longer wish to travel.
Care and assistance
Your airline must provide food and refreshments if your journey is delayed more than a few hours.
Accommodation
If you are away from home and your journey is delayed overnight, the airline must offer you accommodation and transportation to it.
Communication
Under EC 261 you are entitled to 2 phone calls or emails if your journey is delayed over 1 hour. No compensation when a disruption is caused by extraordinary circumstances, as this appears to be.
This advice is provided to help you if your flight is delayed or canceled. However, the exact care and compensation you are entitled to will depend on your specific circumstances and flight. Always follow the directions of your airline, particularly with regard to check-in and boarding times.
Quick facts
Summary
Disruption
Delays and Cancellations
Cause
Other
Status
Current disruption
Compensation
Not eligible for compensation
Flights affected
146
Airlines affected
Emirates, Flydubai, Air Arabia, IndiGo Air
Airports affected
Dubai Airport, Abu Dhabi International Airport
Cities affected
Dubai, Abu Dhabi
Countries affected
United Arab Emirates
Start date
2026-04-15
Checked by
Matteo Floris
Date updated
16 April 2026
What to do if your flight is delayed, canceled, or overbooked
If you're traveling to, from, or within the European Union, here's what you should do when you experience a disruption.
Gather evidence that your flight was delayed, cancelled, or overbooked.
Get the airline to provide written confirmation of the disruption and the reason behind it.
Request an alternative flight to your destination — or a refund if you no longer wish to travel.
Make a note of the arrival time at your final destination.
Ask the airline to provide vouchers for meals and refreshments.
Avoid signing documents or accepting offers that may waive your passenger rights.
If an overnight stay is required, ask the airline to provide accommodation.
Save receipts for any additional expenses caused by the disruption.
