If you are flying from the UAE to Saudi Arabia this week, check your booking before you leave home. Etihad Airways has cancelled all Abu Dhabi–Riyadh flights until Monday 19 October 2026, and flydubai has cancelled its Riyadh, Dammam and Abha flights up to and including 14 October. Saudi Arabia’s civil aviation authority has extended the suspension of operations at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport and has not given a reopening date.
Which UAE flights to Saudi Arabia are cancelled
These are the cancellations reported as of the morning of 13 October. Airlines say the situation can change, so treat this as a guide and confirm your own flight with the airline.
| Airline | Route | Cancelled until |
|---|---|---|
| Etihad Airways | Abu Dhabi – Riyadh | All flights until Monday 19 October |
| Etihad Airways | Abu Dhabi – Dammam | All flights on Tuesday 13 and Wednesday 14 October |
| Etihad Airways | Abu Dhabi – Jeddah | Selected flights until 15 October |
| flydubai | Dubai – Riyadh, Dammam and Abha | Up to and including 14 October |
| Emirates | Dubai – Riyadh | Some flights on 12 and 13 October (reportedly) |
| Air Arabia | Sharjah – Riyadh and Abha | Some flights on 12 and 13 October (reportedly) |
The Etihad and flydubai details were reported by both The National and ARN News. The Emirates and Air Arabia cancellations were reported by The National, which listed Emirates flights EK815, EK817, EK819 and EK816 as cancelled on Tuesday and Air Arabia flights G9151, G9154 and G9195 as cancelled on Monday and Tuesday; we could not confirm these against an official airline statement.
Why the flights were cancelled
Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation extended the suspension of operations at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh after attacks over the weekend, which The National attributed to Yemen’s Houthi rebels. The authority said the suspension would continue while safety and operational checks at the airport are completed. Etihad has described the cause as “regional disruption” and said further changes are possible. flydubai said it would update customers through its official channels.
What to do if you are booked
- Check your flight status on the airline’s website or app, and look for an email or SMS from the airline, before you set off for the airport.
- Contact the airline or your travel agent about rebooking or a refund. Do not cancel a ticket yourself before you know what the airline is offering.
- Check onward connections. If Riyadh, Dammam or Jeddah is only one leg of a longer trip, ask whether the rest of your journey needs to change too.
- Driving instead? If you plan to cross into Saudi Arabia by road, check border and visa requirements first, and keep your residence visa valid for your return.
For other airline changes this month, see our round-up of UAE flights in October 2026: which airlines are suspended and which are coming back. Earlier, the UAE suspended Iranian airlines from 24 September. If you live in Al Ain, note that the city’s airport now has a new name: Tahnoun International Airport.
Quick answers
Are Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi to Riyadh cancelled?
Yes. Etihad has cancelled all Abu Dhabi to Riyadh flights until Monday 19 October 2026, and says further changes are possible.
Is flydubai flying to Riyadh?
No. flydubai has cancelled its flights to Riyadh, Dammam and Abha up to and including 14 October 2026.
When will Riyadh airport reopen?
No date has been announced. Saudi aviation authorities said operations would stay suspended while safety checks at the airport are completed, so check with your airline before travelling.
Published 13 October 2026. Sources: The National (12 October 2026) and ARN News (13 October 2026), citing Etihad Airways, flydubai and Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation. Flight schedules change quickly: always confirm with your airline.
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