While Emirates and flydubai continue to maintain extensive global networks, the regional aviation landscape remains in a state of recovery. With Eid Al Adha holidays approaching fast (expected to start around May 27), several UAE residents are indeed weighing their vacation plans against the current regional landscape before finalising their holiday plans.

Although the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) lifted domestic airspace restrictions on May 2, broader regional challenges mean that many international carriers are still rerouting flights or keeping services paused.

Here is the current breakdown of international airline suspensions and their anticipated return dates to Dubai:

Suspended Dubai flights

• Aegean Airlines: Flights suspended until August 31
• Air Astana: Suspended until May 31
• airBaltic: Suspended until October 24
• Air Canada: Suspended until September 7
• Air France: Suspended until May 20
• British Airways: Suspended until May 31
• Cathay Pacific: Suspended until June 30
• Cebu Pacific: Suspended until May 31
• Finnair: No Dubai bookings available until July 3
• Eurowings: Suspended until October 24
• KLM: Suspended until June 28
• Lufthansa Group: Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines and ITA Airways suspended until July 11
• Pegasus Airlines: Suspended until June 1
• Royal Air Maroc: Suspended until May 31
• Singapore Airlines: Suspended until August 2
• SunExpress: Suspended until June 7
• Wizz Air: No Dubai flights available

Emirates and flydubai continue operations

Dubai’s home carriers continue to maintain broad international connectivity despite reduced schedules. Emirates recently confirmed that 96 per cent of its global network is back online, currently operating to 137 destinations across 72 countries. The airline recently announced its most profitable year ever for 2025-26, with a record profit of Dh 24.4 billion ($6.6 billion), a 7% increase over the previous year.

Flydubai has also continued operating special flights through designated air corridors during the disruption period. The airline announced new double-daily flights to Bangkok (Don Mueang) starting September 15. Their fleet has grown to 97 Boeing 737 aircraft.

Air Arabia recently launched non-stop service from Abu Dhabi to Amman and announced a new route from Sharjah to Rome starting July 1. Etihad Airways continues to operate a comprehensive schedule to approximately 80 destinations.

What travellers should know?

Most airlines are offering:

• Free ticket changes
• Flexible rebooking options
• Travel vouchers or full refunds

Passengers are advised to check directly with their airline before heading to the airport, as schedules continue to change based on regional airspace conditions.