Emirates, Etihad Airways, Air Arabia and flydubai are operating a mix of services to destinations including Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, but passengers should check their individual flight status before leaving for the airport as schedules can change at short notice. The return from the summer holidays is also expected to make UAE airports busier, with Dubai authorities increasing operational readiness across airport checkpoints and passenger-processing areas.War statusThe Middle East war has entered another day with Washington preparing additional sanctions against Iran, while diplomatic efforts continue and restrictions affecting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz continue to weigh on regional trade.The US is expected to announce further sanctions on Monday. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has described the planned measures as the “toughest sanctions in history”, while Iran has condemned the move.The US and Iran are currently neither exchanging fire nor holding peace negotiations.Iran, meanwhile, is promoting closer economic and security cooperation with neighbouring countries as it seeks to reduce the impact of US pressure. Iranian Parliament Speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Tehran would seek to deepen economic ties with neighbouring states and encourage bilateral trade using national currencies rather than the US dollar.What UAE airlines are doingEmiratesMore Emirates flight operations are normalising, with services to Kuwait now operating. However, some Bahrain flights remain cancelled.Dubai–Bahrain:EK835 — CancelledEK837 — CancelledEK839 — Scheduled for 4pm from Terminal 3Bahrain–Dubai:EK836 — CancelledEK838 — CancelledEK840 — ScheduledDubai–Kuwait:EK857 — ScheduledEK858 — ScheduledEmirates flight EK434 from Dubai to Brisbane is delayed.EtihadEtihad Airways has reported operational and technical delays affecting some services.Flight EY406 from Abu Dhabi Zayed International Airport to Bangkok on August 24 has been delayed due to operational reasons. The return EY407 from Bangkok to Abu Dhabi on the same day will also be delayed.Etihad also said flight EY042 from Amsterdam to Abu Dhabi on August 23 was delayed because of a technical issue.Services between Abu Dhabi and Bahrain are operating as scheduled.Abu Dhabi–Bahrain:EY647 — ArrivedEY641 — ScheduledEY645 — ScheduledBahrain–Abu Dhabi:EY648 — ArrivedEY642 — ScheduledEY646 — ScheduledAbu Dhabi–Kuwait:EY653 — ScheduledKuwait–Abu Dhabi:EY654 — Scheduledflydubaiflydubai services to Kuwait, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia are operating, although passengers should check individual flight statuses as schedules remain subject to change.The airline is also advising passengers flying from Dubai to allow four hours before departure.Air ArabiaAir Arabia continues to report cancellations and pending departures on several UAE–Bahrain, UAE–Kuwait and UAE–Qatar services.Abu Dhabi–Kuwait:3L020 — Cancelled3L022 — Yet to departKuwait–Abu Dhabi:3L021 — Cancelled3L023 — Not departedAbu Dhabi–Bahrain:3L015 — Flight time updated3L017 — Not departedSharjah–Bahrain:G9107 — CancelledG9101, G9103, G9105 — Not departedBahrain–Sharjah:G9108 — CancelledG9102, G9104, G9106 — Not departedSharjah–Kuwait:G9068, G9124 — CancelledG9121 — Not departedKuwait–Sharjah:G9069, G9125 — CancelledG9122 — Not departedDoha–Sharjah:G9138 — CancelledSharjah–Doha:G9138 — CancelledWhat international carriers are sayingSeveral international airlines continue to suspend or adjust services to and from Dubai and other Middle Eastern destinations.Air Canada: Dubai services suspended until mid-January 2027.British Airways: Dubai, Tel Aviv, Bahrain and Amman services suspended until October 25.Singapore Airlines: Dubai services suspended until October 24.KLM: Dubai, Riyadh and Dammam services suspended until September 6.Philippine Airlines: Dubai services suspended until October 2.Lufthansa and Swiss: Dubai services suspended until September 13.Turkish Airlines: Services to Abu Dhabi and Dubai have resumed, while Iran flights remain suspended.These schedules are subject to change depending on the regional security situation and operational conditions.What is causing the delays?Flight disruption is being driven by a combination of factors rather than a single issue.The continuing regional conflict and restrictions affecting the Strait of Hormuz are keeping pressure on regional transport networks. Airlines are also continuing to adjust schedules as the security situation develops.The post-summer travel rush is another factor. Dubai airports are preparing for increased passenger numbers as residents and visitors return from holidays, meaning travellers can also face longer processing times at check-in, security and immigration.Travelling to India?Indian airports are set to simplify the international departure process from September 1.International passengers flying out of India will no longer need to have their boarding passes physically stamped at immigration counters, with the Bureau of Immigration moving to accept e-boarding passes on smartphones at all international airports.The decision was communicated through an internal directive and reported by Hindustan Times, with the communication sent to airport operators and the Central Industrial Security Force.For UAE residents travelling to India, the change means the physical boarding-pass stamping process at immigration will be removed from September 1.What travellers should keep in mindWith schedules changing at short notice and airports entering a busier post-summer period, passengers should:Check their flight status immediately before leaving home, even if the flight was previously confirmed.Arrive at least three hours before departure, or earlier if advised by the airline.Allow four hours when flying from Dubai with flydubai, in line with the airline's guidance.Complete online check-in where available.Allow extra time for road traffic, check-in, security and immigration.Keep contact details updated with the airline.Be prepared for last-minute delays, cancellations or schedule changes.Follow official airline and airport channels for the latest information.