Hundreds of travelers across the Middle East are facing significant disruptions as major hubs like Dubai International, Riyadh and Amman grapple with severe weather and operational hurdles. A combination of intense sandstorms, heavy winds and technical glitches has forced airlines, including Emirates, Saudia, FlyDubai and Royal Jordanian to delay over 160 flights and cancel 11, leaving passengers stranded in crowded terminals.
With wide body aircraft and long haul connections heavily affected, the “ripple effect” of these delays is impacting travelers from London to Sydney. As ground crews scramble to clear the mounting backlog, frustrated passengers are being urged to check their flight status frequently.
Airport Wise Cancellation And Delays
Dubai International (DXB): The Hub of the Chaos Amid Sandstorms
As the hardest-hit airport in the region, Dubai International (DXB) is struggling with 87 delays and 3 cancellations. The primary cause—reduced visibility from severe sandstorms and heavy winds—has hit Emirates and Flydubai operations the hardest. Long-haul routes to New York, London, and Sydney are seeing significant schedule slides, causing transit passengers to miss critical connections. Travelers are advised to monitor “incoming flight” statuses, as many departures are being held back by late-arriving aircraft stuck in the regional backlog.
Riyadh King Khalid (RUH): Operational Slowdowns Impacting Regional Travel
Riyadh King Khalid International (RUH) is experiencing significant operational slowdowns, with 20 delays and 1 confirmed cancellation. These disruptions are concentrated on Saudia (Saudi Arabian Airlines) flights, particularly short-to-medium haul routes to Jeddah, Dubai, and Cairo. The resulting backlog has led to crowded terminals and mounting frustration for business travelers and families alike. If you are flying through Riyadh, expect extended wait times and stay in direct contact with your carrier for rebooking options.
Amman Queen Alia (AMM): High Cancellation Ratio Disrupts Europe Routes
Amman Queen Alia International (AMM) is facing a particularly challenging period, reporting 4 cancellations and 4 delays. While the numbers may seem lower than other hubs, the high ratio of cancellations relative to its size has caused significant travel chaos. Royal Jordanian flights to Europe and other Middle Eastern capitals have been the most impacted. For those traveling for business or family reunions, it is essential to confirm flight viability before heading to the airport.
Abu Dhabi International (AUH): Long-Haul Routes Face Significant Slides
Abu Dhabi (AUH) has reported 24 flight delays, primarily affecting Etihad Airways. While the airport has managed to avoid cancellations so far, long-haul routes to the United States and Australia are facing significant delays. Passengers on these wide-body flights should be prepared for potential gate changes and schedule shifts as the airport manages the impact of regional weather conditions.
Jeddah King Abdulaziz (JED): Pilgrims and Travelers Face Schedule Backlog
Jeddah (JED) is grappling with 23 delays and 1 cancellation, a situation that is particularly impactful given the high volume of pilgrims traveling to and from Mecca and Medina. The disruptions have created a ripple effect across regional schedules. Travelers are encouraged to allow extra time for airport processing and to remain flexible with their travel plans as ground handling services work through the delays.
Middle East Flight Disruptions: Impact Summary and Advice
The scale of these disruptions is immense, likely affecting thousands of passengers due to the use of high-capacity aircraft like the Airbus A380 and Boeing 777. With sandstorms and technical glitches creating a volatile environment, the passenger experience has been defined by “short notice” changes.
Airline-Specific Operational Impact
The current crisis has hit both flag carriers and low-cost airlines, with wide body aircraft delays creating the largest passenger backlogs.
| Airline | Primary Impact Area | Specific Operational Details |
| Emirates | Long-Haul Routes | Facing massive schedule slides on flights to London, New York, and Sydney due to visibility issues at DXB. |
| Flydubai | Regional & Mid-Haul | Dealing with a high volume of delays and select regional cancellations across the Gulf. |
| Saudia | Domestic & Regional | Focused on clearing a backlog for short-to-medium haul flights to Jeddah, Dubai, and Cairo. |
| Royal Jordanian | Europe & Regional | Highest cancellation ratio relative to fleet size, specifically disrupting European and Middle Eastern capital routes. |
| Etihad Airways | Long-Haul (US/AUS) | Managing 24 significant delays on ultra-long-haul routes to the USA and Australia. |
| Flynas | Regional (KSA/UAE) | Confirmed cancellations on regional legs, including the busy Riyadh–Dubai corridor. |
Essential Advice for Travelers
Check “Incoming Flight” Status: Your flight may be listed as “on time,” but if the incoming aircraft is delayed elsewhere, your departure will likely slip.
Download Airline Apps: Real-time push notifications are currently the fastest way to receive rebooking updates.
Verify Regional Connections: If you have a short layover in Dubai or Doha, contact your airline immediately to discuss alternative routing.
Image Source: AI
Data Source: Aviation Tracking, FlightAware and Multiple Airports
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