Saudi Flight Cancellations Persist: Etihad Extends Cuts to November 5 as Emirates Restarts Jeddah

Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport reopened on October 25 after a two-week closure, but most scheduled Saudi departures were still cancelled in reporting published October 26. Cirium data cited by Gulf News counts 7,802 of 17,299 scheduled Saudi departures as cancelled or not operated between October 8 and 25, about 45.1%. Etihad has extended its Abu Dhabi cancellations through Thursday, November 5, while Emirates is scheduled to resume Dubai to Jeddah on October 30.

What is new in today's update

Quick facts: 45.1% of Saudi departures cancelled October 8 to 25 (Cirium); Riyadh at 85.96%

This story has run in our coverage since early October, so the new material is the data. Riyadh alone accounted for 4,071 of 4,736 scheduled departures cancelled or not operated, and the nationwide rate peaked at 60.21% on October 12. It was still 44.23% on October 25, the day Riyadh reopened, so a reopening has not restored normal service. Gulf News' October 26 live flight update compiled these figures.

Which airlines have set end dates

Quick facts: Etihad to Riyadh and Dammam cancelled through November 5; Emirates Dubai to Jeddah due October 30; Iranian carriers suspended "until further notice"

Etihad has cancelled all Abu Dhabi to Riyadh and Abu Dhabi to Dammam flights through November 5, plus selected Jeddah flights (EY601 to EY604), and it says further changes remain possible. Emirates expects Dubai to Riyadh and Dammam to resume November 8. Gulf News' October 27 residents' guide also reports that Iranian airline services to and from the UAE remain suspended, and that the Emirates-flydubai codeshare to Tel Aviv is still suspended. Gulf News has tracked Etihad's extensions in steps since mid-October, and Khaleej Times reported an earlier round that ran to October 24.

Refund and rebooking options so far

Quick facts: Air India covers bookings issued on or before October 24; Akasa refunds within seven days

Air India and Air India Express passengers with eligible bookings can choose flexible rebooking or a full refund, and Akasa Air credits refunds within seven days or allows free rescheduling. The Gulf News guide describes no blanket airline waiver for all affected routes, so each carrier's notice governs. Khaleej Times has reported the flydubai and Etihad extensions separately, and the same rule applies: check the airline before assuming a refund is available.

Why the reopening did not end the disruption

Quick facts: Riyadh closed for about two weeks; Gulf News ties the disruption to regional tensions and Houthi attacks

Gulf News links the disruption to the US-Israel war against Iran, Iranian threats around the Strait of Hormuz and Houthi attacks, including an attack on Riyadh airport. The same report warns that some delays may be operational or technical rather than conflict-related. The National tracked which airlines were still cancelling when Riyadh first reopened, and our October 21 post covers that earlier stage. Gulf Today reported Etihad's cancellations to three Saudi cities until October 19, and a recent regional tally counted 104 cancellations and 758 delays across Middle Eastern airports including Dubai and Istanbul.

What this means for travelers who book through a travel agency

Quick facts: Confirm each leg with the airline; ask your agent to check schedule changes and fare rules before any reroute

If you booked a Saudi trip through an agency, contact your agent first, because they can often rebook you across carriers, routes or dates in one transaction. Ask whether your ticket is a codeshare, since Gulf News directs Emirates codeshare customers to Emirates or their travel agent. A new ticket on a different airline can carry different fare rules, so have your agent confirm change and refund conditions in writing before you accept a reroute.

People also ask

These answers draw on the reporting linked above, so re-check the airline before you travel.

Is Riyadh airport open now? King Khalid International Airport reopened on October 25 after a two-week closure. Reopening does not mean flights are running normally, because most scheduled departures were still cancelled in reporting published October 26. Check each airline before you travel.

Will my cancelled Saudi flight be refunded? It depends on the airline and the date you booked. Air India and Akasa Air have published specific options, but Gulf News reports no blanket waiver for every affected route. Ask your airline or agent for the refund route in writing.

How long will the Saudi cancellations last? Etihad has cancelled its Abu Dhabi flights to Riyadh and Dammam through November 5, and Emirates expects Riyadh and Dammam to resume November 8. These dates can change, so treat them as current schedule notices rather than guarantees.

Can a travel agent rebook me faster? An agent can often move you to another carrier, route or date in one transaction, and can check the fare rules on the new ticket. Results still depend on seat availability and each airline's policy.

Facts checked against current sources as of October 27, 2026; confirm before booking, traveling or deciding.