You booked your flights months ago. You arranged your leave, packed your bags, and maybe even bought a new outfit for the Dubai heat. Then, on the morning of February 28, 2026, you woke up to news that changed everything.
If you are a traveller from South Africa, the UK, the USA, Canada, or Turkey, this is not just a news story. This is your holiday, your business trip, your family reunion, suspended mid-air. More than 20,000 travellers have been affected by UAE flight cancellations since UAE airports closed.
However, the UAE government has taken swift action, and you are not without options. This guide will walk you through every one of them.
Are UAE Airports Open? What the Situation Looks Like Right Now
As of today, the picture of UAE flight cancellation 2026 is one of cautious, partial recovery. A small number of Etihad and Emirates flights departed on Monday and Tuesday, offering relief for travellers. However, more than 80% of the flights scheduled to and from Dubai and more than half of those to and from Abu Dhabi were still cancelled.
Dubai’s government has advised passengers to head to airports only if they were directly contacted by their airline about their flight booking UAE. Air Arabia flights to and from the UAE are temporarily suspended until 3 pm local time on March 4.
Airline-by-Airline: Your Rebooking and Refund Rights
Each airline has its own airline travel waiver policy. Knowing the right information and your flight refund tips UAE is the difference between paying out of pocket and flying free.
- Emirates: Emirates passengers who are flying in the next 3 days from Sunday can rebook an alternate flight to the same destination up to 10 days from the original date of travel.
- Flydubai: It is issuing rebooking and refund options for travellers affected by the airspace closure. Passengers can rebook on an alternative flydubai flight to the same destination or to a different destination within the same country, up to 10 days from the original travel date.
- Etihad: Travellers who booked an Etihad flight before 28 February with travel dates up to 2 March can rebook flights free of charge until 15 March 2026. For those whose flights were cancelled, a full refund can be requested at Etihad.com/help or through their respective travel agent.
- Air Arabia: Passengers travelling aboard Air Arabia can choose to cancel the affected flight and keep the amount as credit. They can also cancel the entire booking and keep the amount as credit, or reschedule to a new travel date.
- British Airways: British Airways says customers flying between London Heathrow and Abu Dhabi, Amman, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai or Tel Aviv up to March 15 can change their flight date free of charge to travel on or before March 29, while those travelling up to March 8 may also request a full refund.
- Turkish Airlines: Turkish Airlines has cancelled flights to the UAE and other Gulf regions until March 6th.
- KLM (Connecting European Routes): KLM is currently not flying through the airspace of the UAE and several other countries in the Gulf region.
What steps should you take as a traveller to secure refund/ rebooking rights in this UAE crisis?
One of the most important flight refund tips UAE is to not cancel your ticket. Airlines are currently offering fee-free refunds and rebooking. However, it is only valid if you hold the ticket. Once you cancel yourself, you may be processed under standard cancellation terms rather than the waiver policies.
Document everything if you travel to UAE during conflict. Always ask your airline for a statement of delay or proof of flight cancellation to help with any insurance claim. If you have trip cancellation insurance, it may contain an Act of War exclusion. However, you may still be able to claim under ‘Airspace Closure or Technical Delays’ depending on how the cancellation is categorised.
Dubai Airports has advised passengers not to travel to DXB or Al Maktoum International (DWC) and to contact their airline directly for the latest updates.
Your Visa: What Happens If You’re Stranded in the UAE?
This is the question keeping thousands of people awake right now. If you are stuck in the UAE and your UAE visit visa validity is running out, here is what you need to know.
At the time of writing this article, there has not been any official announcement of visa extension or overstay fine waiver, according to UAE visa updates. So, if your visa is close to expiry, the crisis has not eliminated the risk of overstay fines. If you are nearing an expiry, it would be wise to contact your travel agent and apply for extension immediately.
The UAE visa extension after delay process can be done through the ICP and GDRFA portal.
Country-Specific Guidance: What Your Government Is Telling You
1. South Africa
South African Tourism and the Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) have issued an urgent travel advisory regarding UAE flight cancellations 2026. At O.R. Tambo International in Johannesburg, eight major flights were cancelled on Sunday alone. Cape Town International recorded four outbound cancellations, and King Shaka International in Durban saw two.
With approximately 18,000 South Africans registered in the UAE alone, the government is utilising WhatsApp groups and digital missions to stay in contact.
South Africans stranded in the UAE should contact the South African Embassy in Abu Dhabi: +971 2 447 6722, or the South African Consulate General in Dubai: +971 4 397 5222. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) emergency line is: +27 12 351 1000.
2. United Kingdom
British nationals should register their presence with the UK government to receive direct updates from the FCDO. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that the situation on the ground “may remain challenging for some time” but that the UK government is “looking at all options to support our people”.
UK nationals can register at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/united-arab-emirates and contact the British Embassy in Abu Dhabi: +971 2 610 1100 or the British Consulate General in Dubai: +971 4 309 4444. The FCDO’s 24/7 emergency line from outside the UK is: +44 20 7008 5000.
3. United States
The US State Department has urged American citizens in 13 countries, including the UAE to depart and avoid travel to UAE during conflict.
US citizens are encouraged to enrol in the Smart Traveller Enrolment Program (STEP) at step.state.gov, which allows the Department of State to contact them in case of an emergency. The US Embassy in Abu Dhabi emergency number is: +971 2 414 2200. The US Consulate General in Dubai: +971 4 309 4000.
4. Canada
On February 28, 2026, the Government of Canada confirmed that Canadians are now advised to avoid all travel to UAE during conflict. The government noted that its ability to provide consular services to Canadians during an active conflict is likely to be limited.
Canadians in distress should contact the Canadian Embassy in Abu Dhabi: +971 2 694 0300 or the Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa: +1 613 996 8885 (24/7).
5. Turkey
Turkish nationals transiting through the UAE face a double complication: Turkey’s own national carrier, Turkish Airlines, has cancelled all flights to and from the UAE. Turkish citizens in the UAE should contact the Turkish Embassy in Abu Dhabi: +971 2 665 0400 or the Turkish Consulate General in Dubai: +971 4 331 2788.
Final Word
UAE flight cancellations 2026 caused by regional tensions are stressful, but they do not mean you are powerless. The UAE’s aviation and immigration systems are designed to stabilise quickly, and most travellers will either be rebooked, refunded, or safely accommodated as operations normalise.
UAE Visa Travel is offering free consultations for stranded and anxious travellers who want clarity. We are monitoring the situation in real time and updating our guidance as official information becomes available.
FAQs
Q1. Are UAE airports currently open?
A1. UAE airports are partially operational, but many flights remain cancelled or rescheduled. Always check directly with your airline before heading to the airport.
Q2. Should I cancel my UAE flight if it’s affected?
A2. No. Do not cancel it yourself. Airlines are offering free rebooking or refunds under waiver policies, which you may lose if you cancel independently.
Q3. What should I do if I am stranded in the UAE?
A3. Contact your airline immediately, keep proof of cancellation, and monitor embassy advisories.
Q4. Will the UAE automatically extend my visit visa?
A4. As of now, there is no blanket automatic extension announced. If your visa is close to expiry, apply for an extension proactively.
Q5. Is it safe to travel to Dubai right now?
A5. Authorities describe the situation as stabilising but fluid. Follow official travel advisories from your home country before travelling.
