Travellers flying between Canada and Dubai will have to wait a little longer, with Air Canada extending the suspension of its Dubai service until mid-January 2027.

The Canadian flag carrier had been expected to restart flights to Dubai International Airport (DXB) in October as part of its winter schedule. However, its latest travel update confirms that the route will remain suspended until January.

“Flights to and from Dubai continue to be suspended and will remain cancelled until mid-January 2027.”

Why has Air Canada delayed its Dubai return?

The decision comes as several international airlines reassess their operations in the region. Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths has previously said that some foreign carriers are facing difficulties securing insurance coverage for flights to the region, contributing to delays in their planned returns.

Meanwhile, UAE-based carriers Emirates and flydubai continue to operate from DXB.

What should Air Canada passengers do?

Travellers booked on affected Air Canada flights should check their booking directly with the airline for the latest options.

Under Air Canada’s flexible arrangements, eligible passengers may be able to move their trip to a later date without an additional fee, change their destination or cancel and receive travel credit, depending on the terms of their booking.

Other airlines have also updated flights

Air Canada isn’t the only international carrier to delay its Dubai operations. Virgin Atlantic has also pushed its Dubai return into 2027.

However, there is some good news for travellers. Several major airlines are expected to resume Dubai services as part of their winter schedules, including British Airways, Cathay Pacific, KLM, Singapore Airlines and Lufthansa.

Dubai remains one of the world’s major aviation hubs, with DXB continuing to handle huge numbers of international travellers despite changes to individual airline schedules.