Gulf Flights Resume to Jeddah While Riyadh and Dammam Cancellations Run to November 19

Etihad, Emirates, flydubai and Air Arabia are still cancelling many flights to Saudi Arabia, but Jeddah service has returned on several carriers. As of November 12, 2026, Etihad has cancelled its Abu Dhabi to Riyadh and Dammam flights through November 19, while Abu Dhabi to Jeddah is running up to four times a day. Travelers booked through an agency should confirm each segment with their agent before leaving for the airport.

What changed since the November 9 update

Quick facts: Jeddah is the main recovery story, while Riyadh and Dammam remain disrupted.

Our November 9 update covered the extension of Gulf cancellations to November 19. The newer development is that The National reported on November 12 that Emirates has resumed Dubai to Jeddah with two flights a day, and Madinah flights are running as normal. The same report says King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh has partly resumed after an October suspension caused by attacks on the facility.

Carrier-by-carrier status

Quick facts: Etihad cancels Riyadh and Dammam to November 19; Emirates, flydubai and Air Arabia have shorter or open-ended dates.

Etihad has cancelled all passenger and cargo flights between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh and Dammam through Thursday, November 19, according to The National. Emirates has Dubai to Riyadh and Dubai to Dammam cancelled until at least November 13. flydubai's Dubai to Riyadh and Dubai to Abha routes remain suspended with no confirmed resumption date, and Air Arabia's Riyadh and Abha flights are cancelled until at least November 13, while its Dammam and Taif flights operate normally.

Why the flydubai dates do not match

Quick facts: a November 6 report found conflicting end dates for flydubai's Abha and Riyadh cancellations.

On November 6, Khaleej Times reported that a flydubai spokesperson said all Abha and Riyadh flights were cancelled up to and including November 16, while the airline's website showed November 17. That gap is why a booking reference alone is not enough. Ask the airline or your agent for the current status in writing, and treat any date in a news report, including this one, as a snapshot.

Background: the October attack on Riyadh's airport

Quick facts: the Khaleej Times article reports 14 deaths and more than 300 injuries from a strike on October 10.

The same Khaleej Times report describes an October 10 missile strike on Riyadh's international airport that it says killed 14 people and injured more than 300. It attributes the attacks to the Iran-backed Houthi group. These figures and attributions come from that outlet's reporting. The partial reopening of Riyadh's airport is consistent with schedules returning in stages rather than all at once.

What this means for travelers who book through an agency

Quick facts: rebooking options depend on the fare and on who cancelled the flight, so confirm each segment.

When an airline cancels a flight, the options a traveler receives are set by the airline and the fare rules, and an agent can check which options apply to each segment. Ask your agent to confirm whether each cancelled leg has been rebooked, refunded, or offered a free change, and to check connecting flights through Dubai or Abu Dhabi as separate tickets if they were booked that way. Etihad says the situation remains dynamic and further changes are possible, so repeat the check the day before departure.

Where to check next

Quick facts: daily roundups from regional outlets are useful for patterns, but the airline's own flight status is the final word.

Gulf News publishes daily status roundups, including its November 10 update. Travel Monitor runs a daily watch list that covers November 12. Rustourismnews also reported on November 7 that Emirates planned to return to the region, a dated report that is worth checking against the latest airline notices.

People also ask

The answers below rely on the sources linked above, dated November 6 to 12, 2026. For the latest status, see The National's November 12 report.

Are Emirates flights to Jeddah running?

According to The National's November 12 report, Emirates has resumed its Dubai to Jeddah service with two flights a day, and Madinah flights are running as normal. Dubai to Riyadh and Dubai to Dammam were still cancelled until at least November 13 in that report. Because schedules change quickly, confirm the flight number and date with Emirates or your agent before you travel.

How long will Etihad's Riyadh flights stay cancelled?

Etihad has cancelled its Abu Dhabi to Riyadh and Dammam flights through Thursday, November 19, according to The National. Etihad also describes the situation as dynamic and says further changes are possible. An agent can look for other routes or dates if the fare allows it, so ask about options early rather than waiting for the next airline update.

Should I rebook on a different airline?

Rebooking on another carrier can work, but the new ticket may carry different fare rules, baggage allowances and refund conditions. Compare total travel time and connection risk before choosing. A travel agency can compare these options side by side and explain what the original airline offers when it cancels a flight.

Is it safe to travel to Riyadh now?

This article reports on flight schedules and on an October attack on Riyadh's airport. It does not assess safety. Check your government's current travel advisory for Saudi Arabia before booking, and ask your agent to review that advisory alongside the flight status for your dates.

Facts checked against current sources as of November 13, 2026. Gulf schedules are changing often, so confirm before booking, traveling or deciding.