DUBAI, Nov. 8, 2026 — Emirates had scheduled Dubai–Riyadh and Dubai–Dammam passenger flights to restart on Nov. 8, but every one of those flights was cancelled on the day, and no new restart date has been given.
What happened
- Riyadh flights EK815, EK817 and EK819 and returns EK816, EK818 and EK820 were cancelled on Nov. 8.
- Dammam flights EK821, EK823 and EK827 and returns EK822, EK824 and EK828 were also cancelled.
- A Nov. 7 report had already warned that the Nov. 8 date was a scheduled resumption, not a confirmed one. A new restart date for Riyadh and Dammam is TBA.
- Dubai–Jeddah EK801/EK802 was cancelled; EK803 to EK806 were scheduled. Medina flights are operating.
- Dubai–Tel Aviv remains suspended, along with the Emirates–flydubai codeshare on that route.
- At Dubai, the Terminal 3 Concourse C First Class Lounge is temporarily closed; passengers are being sent to Concourse B.
- Background: on Nov. 7 Saudi forces intercepted a Houthi cruise missile aimed at the Riyadh area, and the Houthis later claimed Riyadh airport was among their targets. No damage or closure was reported. The US Mission to the UAE warned the same day of possible flight cancellations and airspace closures.
Where other Gulf carriers stand on Saudi Arabia (as reported Nov. 7–8)
| Airline | Status |
|---|---|
| Etihad (EY) | Riyadh and Dammam cancelled through Nov. 19; Jeddah resumed Nov. 6 |
| flydubai (FZ) | Dammam resumes Nov. 10; Riyadh and Abha suspended through Nov. 16, bookable from Nov. 17 |
| Qatar Airways (QR) | Jeddah cut to four daily; Dammam suspended, restart TBA |
| Saudia (SV) / flyadeal (F3) | Riyadh flights operating via Qassim with bus connections; end date TBA |
What it means for non-revs
- Do not plan staff or ZED travel to Riyadh or Dammam on Emirates; the restart date has already slipped once and the new one is TBA.
- Jeddah and Medina are the realistic Saudi options from Dubai, and with Riyadh shut, those flights are likely to be busier than usual.
- If your benefits cover flydubai, its Dammam restart on Nov. 10 may be the first way back into the Eastern Province from Dubai.
- Check each flight on the day of travel; Gulf News itself warns that some published dates have already passed and should be confirmed with the airline.
Sources
- Rus Tourism News, “Emirates Cancels Riyadh and Dammam Flights Despite November 8 Restart Plans” — https://www.rustourismnews.com/2026/11/08/emirates-cancels-riyadh-and-dammam-flights-despite-november-8-restart-plans/
- Rus Tourism News, “Etihad and Flydubai Extend Saudi Flight Cancellations as Emirates Plans Return” — https://www.rustourismnews.com/2026/11/07/etihad-and-flydubai-extend-saudi-flight-cancellations-as-emirates-plans-return/
- Gulf News, “UAE flight updates: Airlines revise schedules; latest cancellations and delays for Nov 8” — https://gulfnews.com/business/aviation/uae-flight-updates-airlines-revise-schedules-latest-cancellations-and-delays-for-nov-8-1.500739979
- Gulf News, “Live updates: Houthis claim missile and drone attacks targeted Aramco and Riyadh airport” — https://gulfnews.com/world/mena/middle-east-war-update-qeshm-island-strike-raises-tensions-talks-continue-1.500739148
Get NonRev Travel News by email
A weekly recap newsletter, sent out every Sunday, with the airline, airport, cruise and travel-warning news that matters to airline employees and retirees. Free.
ADVERTISEMENT
