Passengers Stranded Across UAE as Major Airlines Cancel Multiple Long‑Haul Flights

Passengers across the United Arab Emirates were left stranded after several major international airlines cancelled more than a dozen long‑haul flights, severely disrupting travel to key destinations in the United States and Europe.

Airlines affected include Emirates, British Airways, Qatar Airways, Air France, KLM and other global carriers operating out of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and nearby hubs. Cancelled routes reportedly included services to Boston, New York, London and other major transatlantic and transcontinental destinations.

The cancellations triggered long queues at airport service counters, missed connections and uncertainty for passengers, many of whom were transiting through the UAE as part of long‑haul journeys. Airlines cited a combination of operational constraints, airspace considerations and knock‑on effects from weather‑related disruptions elsewhere as contributing factors.

Several carriers activated disruption protocols, offering rebooking on later flights, alternative routings or refunds depending on ticket conditions. However, passengers reported limited seat availability and extended delays due to the high volume of disrupted services.

The UAE’s airports serve as critical global transit hubs, meaning even a limited number of cancellations can have widespread ripple effects across international networks. Aviation analysts note that continued geopolitical tensions and extreme weather events are increasing the frequency of sudden schedule changes, particularly on long‑haul routes.

Travellers departing from or transiting through the UAE have been advised to closely monitor airline notifications, confirm flight status before heading to airports, and remain flexible with travel plans as disruptions continue to affect global airline operations.