Houthi Missile Strikes Trigger Mass Flight Cancellations Across the Middle East

Renewed hostilities between Saudi Arabia and Yemen's Houthi movement have grounded flights across the Gulf this week, with more than 1,081 delays and 201 cancellations recorded across a dozen airports in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain. The disruption follows Houthi missile and drone strikes on Abha International Airport in southern Saudi Arabia, launched in response to Saudi-led airstrikes on Sanaa. Qatar Airways, Saudia, Emirates, and Etihad are the hardest-hit carriers, and travelers with Gulf connections should expect delays through the weekend.

What Triggered the Disruption

Trigger: Houthi missile/drone strikes on Abha airport · Response to: Saudi-led airstrikes on Sanaa, Yemen · Region affected: Gulf and Red Sea airspace

The latest flare-up marks a serious escalation after months of relative calm, with the Iran-backed Houthi movement targeting Abha International Airport directly rather than shipping lanes in the Red Sea, its usual theater. Security officials across the region have raised alert levels at airports within range of Yemen, according to The National's rolling coverage of the crisis.

Which Airports and Airlines Are Hit Hardest

Cancellations: 201 across the region · Delays: 1,081 across the region · Worst-hit hub: Riyadh's King Khalid International

Dubai bore the brunt of delays, while Riyadh's King Khalid Airport became the epicenter of cancellations, with Saudia posting the largest number of scrubbed flights and Qatar Airways absorbing the heaviest delay load, according to detailed tracking from Travel And Tour World's disruption tracker. Etihad, Emirates, and EgyptAir also posted significant schedule changes, and a separate wave of cancellations hit Jeddah, Riyadh, Abha, Gizan, and Najran specifically, grounding Saudia, Nile Air, and Flynas flights, per a follow-up regional report.

Airlines Issuing Advisories

Notable moves: Air Astana suspended UAE flights · Jazeera Airways issued a travel advisory

Kazakhstan's Air Astana halted flights to the UAE outright as a precaution, and Kuwait's Jazeera Airways issued a formal advisory warning passengers of possible schedule changes tied to the security situation, both confirmed in The National's July 14 update. Gulf Business is maintaining a running list of every carrier adjusting service, which is worth checking before departure if you're flying through the region in the next week, via its full airline-by-airline breakdown.

The Ripple Effect Into Asia

Secondary impact: 534 cancellations, 5,351 delays across connecting Asian hubs

Because so much East-West air traffic connects through Gulf hubs, the disruption is spilling into Asia: Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Kuwait, and Malaysia have together logged 534 cancellations and 5,351 delays at airports including Riyadh, Jakarta, and Kuala Lumpur, per Travel And Tour World's Asia-focused report. Build in buffer time on any itinerary connecting through the Gulf.

What Travelers Should Do Now

Recommended action: Check flight status directly with your airline before heading to the airport

If you have a booking touching Dubai, Doha, Riyadh, Jeddah, Abu Dhabi, or Cairo in the coming days, check your airline's app rather than relying on the printed itinerary, and consider travel insurance that covers war-risk cancellations. Qatar Airways is still pushing ahead with summer network expansion to more than 160 destinations through September 15, per a summer schedule overview, so most connections should resume once this security window passes.

People Also Ask

Why are Middle East flights being cancelled right now?
Renewed Houthi missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia, including a strike on Abha International Airport, prompted airlines to cancel or delay flights across Gulf hubs as a security precaution. The strikes came in response to Saudi-led airstrikes on Sanaa, Yemen, reigniting a conflict that had been relatively quiet in recent months.

Which airlines are most affected by the Middle East flight disruptions?
Saudia has recorded the largest number of cancellations, while Qatar Airways has the heaviest delay load. Etihad, Emirates, EgyptAir, Nile Air, and Flynas have also posted significant schedule changes, and Air Astana suspended its UAE flights entirely as a precaution.

Is it safe to fly through Dubai or Doha right now?
Airlines are continuing to operate through Dubai and Doha with delays rather than blanket suspensions, suggesting airspace remains open but congested. Travelers should monitor official airline advisories and regional aviation authority notices rather than assume normal operations, since the situation is evolving day to day.

Will this affect flights connecting through the Gulf to Asia?
Yes. The disruption has already produced secondary delays and cancellations at airports in Indonesia, Kuwait, and Malaysia, since so many long-haul routes between Europe/North America and Asia connect through Gulf hubs. Build in extra connection time if your itinerary routes through Dubai, Doha, or Riyadh.

Should I cancel or rebook a trip through the Middle East?
Most airlines have not cancelled entire routes outright, so a full rebooking may not be necessary yet. Check your specific flight status daily, review your airline's waiver policy for schedule changes, and consider travel insurance with war-risk or cancel-for-any-reason coverage if you're booking a new trip during this period.

Facts checked against current sources as of July 15, 2026. Flight statuses and airline advisories are changing quickly — confirm directly with your airline before traveling.