Israel strikes Iran: UAE flights cancelled to 9 destinations, see full list of affected routes and travel advisory

UAE airlines have suspended and cancelled flights to multiple destinations across the Middle East, Caucasus, and Central Asia after Israel launched a series of military strikes on Iranian nuclear and military targets early Friday, June 13, 2025.

The Israeli operation, codenamed “Rising Lion”, struck key facilities and killed several top Iranian military commanders, prompting Iran to shut down its airspace and triggering widespread disruption across regional flight routes.In immediate response to the escalating tensions and subsequent airspace closures, airlines operating out of the UAE, including Emirates, Etihad, flydubai, and Air Arabia, halted services to at least nine countries, namely: Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Israel, Russia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan.

Additional suspensions also affected routes to and from Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, according to airline advisories and airport listings.The cancellations affected dozens of flights at Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Al Maktoum International (DWC), with airport authorities confirming delays and urging passengers to check with their airlines for the latest travel updates. Services to key cities such as Tehran, Shiraz, Lar, Kish Island, Bandar Abbas, Baghdad, Basra, Amman, Beirut, and Tel Aviv were either suspended or removed from schedules entirely for the day.

Flights inbound from those cities were also disrupted.While some routes remain under review, many were either rerouted, significantly delayed, or returned to their points of origin mid-flight. Airport authorities stated they are working closely with airlines to manage the situation and assist impacted travellers.“Our teams are on hand to assist impacted guests,” Dubai Airports said, adding that passengers should confirm their flight status and rebooking options before travelling to the airport.

Here is a breakdown of flights affected as of June 13:

Etihad Airways

Scheduled Flights – June 14 (Status: Subject to Delay)

Emirates

Scheduled Flights – June 14 (Status: Subject to Change)

flydubai

The Dubai-based low-cost carrier confirmed widespread disruptions and issued this official statement:“Due to the temporary closure of airspace over Iran and Israel in the early hours of 13 June, some flydubai flights have been impacted. Flights to Amman, Beirut, Damascus, Iran and Israel have been suspended and a number of flights have been cancelled, rerouted or have returned to their destination of origin. We are monitoring the situation in the region closely and adjusting our flight schedule accordingly. The safety of our passengers and crew remains our top priority. We are in direct contact with passengers whose travel plans have been affected.”

Air Arabia

Air Arabia has also suspended operations to and from a wide list of destinations, including:

The Sharjah-based airline noted that other flights could also be delayed or rerouted. It issued the following advisory:“Passengers should check their flight status at airarabia.com or contact our call centre.

Affected customers will be notified directly.”

Regional Fallout: Airspace Closures and Mid-Flight Diversions

The ripple effects of the Israeli strikes and Iran's response have thrown regional aviation into turmoil:

These closures have forced major international airlines to reroute flights mid-journey:

The Dubai Airports authority urged travellers to arrive early, allow extra time for processing, and check with airlines directly before proceeding to the airport.“Guest ambassador teams are on hand across all terminals to assist affected passengers,” the authority added, thanking travellers for their patience.

Friday’s strikes mark a dramatic escalation in the shadow war between Israel and Iran. According to initial reports, the Israeli military executed Operation Rising Lion, targeting strategic Iranian infrastructure, including:

Iran later confirmed damage to a nuclear facility but reported no casualties. However, several senior military figures were said to be killed in the operation. Countries across the region immediately responded by shutting down airspaces, fearing retaliatory action and broader conflict spillover.

Passenger Advisory Summary

In light of the evolving airspace closures and ongoing flight disruptions across the Middle East, UAE airport authorities and airlines have issued the following guidance for all affected or potentially affected travellers:

Passengers are strongly urged to verify the latest status of their flights directly through official airline websites, mobile apps, or customer service hotlines. Third-party sources, including travel aggregators and booking platforms, may not reflect real-time updates or operational changes.

Due to the increased congestion and potential schedule changes, travellers should arrive well in advance of their scheduled departure times. Early arrival will help accommodate any additional time required for check-in, security clearance, and gate reassignments.

All UAE-based airlines, including Emirates, Etihad, flydubai, and Air Arabia, have activated customer support services for passengers affected by cancellations or delays.

Rebooking options, refunds, and itinerary changes are being facilitated, and affected passengers are being contacted directly where possible.

Dubai Airports confirmed that guest ambassador teams are on hand across all terminals at both Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC). These teams are assisting impacted passengers with navigation, information, rebooking, and general travel support.

As the situation remains dynamic and may shift with little notice, passengers are advised to monitor announcements from their airlines and airport authorities. All stakeholders are coordinating closely to manage the impact and will provide further updates as developments unfold.