Wizz Air cancels winter Dubai and Abu Dhabi flights as Singapore Airlines and Scoot extend suspensions

Disruption overview

Middle East route suspensions are stretching into winter and, for some airlines, 2027 after regional airspace restrictions were extended on 30 September 2026. Wizz Air has canceled its Dubai and Abu Dhabi flights for the winter season because longer routings made operations commercially unviable, while Singapore Airlines has suspended Dubai until 1 December 2026 and Scoot has suspended Singapore–Jeddah until 2 December 2026. Air Canada, Cathay Pacific, and Finnair have announced longer suspensions, while British Airways and several European carriers are planning gradual returns on selected routes. If your journey's affected, compensation under EC 261 is generally unlikely because of the conflict-related restrictions, but you may still have rights to rebooking, refunds, and care.

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Disruption details

Wizz Air has canceled all flights to and from Dubai and Abu Dhabi for the winter season, while Singapore Airlines and Scoot have extended suspensions to Dubai and Jeddah. The changes follow the extension of regional airspace restrictions on 30 September 2026, as tensions linked to the Iran war continue to affect Middle East travel.

For passengers, this means canceled journeys, postponed route restarts, and changes to planned travel dates. If you're booked on an affected service, several airlines have said they'll contact customers about alternative flights or refunds where applicable.

Wizz Air had planned to restart its Abu Dhabi and Dubai routes but has now postponed their return. Longer flight paths made those services commercially unviable. Its Amman services are also affected by a European Union Aviation Safety Agency conflict-zone bulletin covering Jordanian airspace.

Singapore Airlines has extended its Dubai suspension until 1 December 2026. Scoot's flights between Singapore and Jeddah are suspended until 2 December 2026. These dates mark the announced suspension periods, rather than a guarantee that every service will restart immediately afterward.

Other carriers have also extended suspensions, with some routes remaining unavailable into 2027:

• Air Canada has suspended Tel Aviv and Dubai flights until the end of March 2027.

• Air France has suspended Riyadh and Dubai services until 24 October 2026.

• Cathay Pacific's Dubai and Riyadh suspensions run until 31 January 2027.

• Finnair has extended suspensions to Dubai and Doha until 27 March 2027.

Air Canada has specifically warned passengers not to travel to the airport unless they have a confirmed flight that's operating. If you're affected, check your airline's instructions before setting off, particularly if your original booking falls within a suspension period.

British Airways has set out a staggered return for several destinations. It plans to restart Tel Aviv on 25 October 2026, Dubai and Riyadh on 3 November 2026, and Amman on 4 November 2026. Bahrain remains suspended until the end of March 2027, while Abu Dhabi services remain suspended until the winter 2027–2028 season.

Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian Airlines, and Eurowings are gradually restoring Dubai services between late October and December 2026. KLM, meanwhile, has kept Riyadh, Dammam, and Dubai suspended until 24 October 2026 and is avoiding airspace over Iran, Iraq, and Israel.

Turkish Airlines has resumed several routes, including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Beirut, and Amman. However, it has warned that further cancellations could follow. A route's return doesn't necessarily mean your individual flight will operate, so it's worth checking your booking before you travel.

The wider schedule changes also involve ITA Airways, AirBaltic, Korean Air, Virgin Atlantic, Emirates, Air Astana, American Airlines, and Delta Air Lines. Across the region, carriers are extending suspensions, changing flight paths, or delaying planned resumptions as airspace restrictions continue.

Because the disruption is driven by conflict and airspace restrictions outside airlines' control, compensation under EC 261 is generally unlikely for affected flights covered by that law. Your individual flight's circumstances still matter, including the reason it was canceled or delayed.

Although compensation is unlikely, you're not without support. For flights covered by EC 261, cancellation rights can include an alternative flight or a refund if you no longer wish to travel. Depending on your wait and circumstances, care can include food, refreshments, and accommodation with transportation if an overnight stay is necessary.

If you're unsure what applies to your journey, AirHelp's free flight checker can help you understand whether you're eligible for compensation. Follow your airline's check-in and boarding instructions while you arrange your next steps.

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