Etihad, Emirates, Air Arabia, and flydubai suspend Kuwait flights amid Gulf security tensions

Disruption overview

Passengers traveling between the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait are facing a second straight day of disruption after Etihad Airways, Emirates, Air Arabia, and flydubai canceled services on 21 July 2026 following overnight missile strikes in Kuwait and Bahrain. The affected routes include flights from Zayed International Airport, Dubai International Airport, and Sharjah International Airport to Kuwait International Airport, while Etihad has also removed selected Bahrain services and extended its Abu Dhabi-Kuwait cancellations through at least 24 July 2026. Because the disruption is tied to a regional security threat outside the airlines' control, compensation is unlikely, but passengers should still be offered rebooking, refunds, and care during long waits.

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Disruption details

Passengers traveling between the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait faced a second straight day of cancellations on 21 July 2026 after Etihad Airways, Emirates, Air Arabia, and flydubai adjusted schedules following overnight missile strikes in Kuwait and Bahrain. For you, that could mean last-minute rebookings, longer waits at the airport, and uncertainty around when your trip will go ahead.

The disruption centers on routes linking Zayed International Airport, Dubai International Airport, and Sharjah International Airport with Kuwait International Airport, while some Bahrain services have also been removed. The airlines said the changes were made for operational reasons as regional security deteriorated, and all four carriers have made clear that safety remains their priority.

Etihad Airways, based in Abu Dhabi, has made the biggest schedule changes so far. Its twice-daily EY653 and EY654 service between Abu Dhabi and Kuwait will remain canceled through at least 24 July 2026, and selected Bahrain flights EY641, EY642, EY647, and EY648 have also been pulled from the schedule. Etihad has asked affected travelers to keep their contact details updated so rebooking information can be sent by SMS or email.

Other confirmed cancellations include:

• Emirates removed Dubai-Kuwait flights EK857 and EK859 from its 21 July schedule.

• flydubai canceled Dubai-Bahrain flight FZ023 and the codeshare service EK2016.

• Air Arabia canceled Abu Dhabi-Kuwait flight 3L020 on 22 July 2026.

• Air Arabia also canceled Sharjah-Kuwait flights G9068 and G9124 on both 21 July and 22 July 2026.

None of the carriers has published passenger totals, but the combined list already points to at least 12 separate flight cancellations. Even without exact numbers, this is clearly wider than a one-off route issue and affects multiple services across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Kuwait City, and Manama.

The immediate cause was a sudden worsening of the regional security picture. Iranian Revolutionary Guard forces confirmed overnight missile strikes against US military facilities in Kuwait and Bahrain, and the UAE government condemned the attacks. The US State Department also issued a worldwide caution advising American citizens to exercise increased vigilance and reconsider travel in and through the Middle East.

For now, the airlines are describing the suspensions as temporary, but there is still no common end date across the affected routes. Beyond Etihad's provisional 24 July target, no carrier has given a firm timeline for a full return to normal service, so the disruption remains ongoing.

If you're booked on one of these flights, it makes sense to watch your email and SMS closely and check your airline's latest schedule before you travel to the airport. Rebooking, alternative routing, or a refund may be available depending on your booking and the carrier's options.

Because these cancellations are linked to a security threat outside the airlines' control, compensation under EC 261 is unlikely. Even so, you should still be offered care and assistance if your trip is heavily disrupted, including food and refreshments during long waits, accommodation if you're stranded overnight, and help with rerouting or a refund if your flight is canceled. And if you'd like to better understand your options, AirHelp's free flight checker is a simple place to start.

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