Dubai's Empty Gates: Which Foreign Airlines Are Still Grounded at DXB

September 21, 2026

DXB is open and Emirates and flydubai are flying widely, but capacity has recovered to only 84% of previous levels and passenger volume to 78%. The gap is driven by foreign carriers waiting on security and insurance clearance. United (March 2027), Finnair (March 27, 2027), Air Canada (mid-January 2027), Luxair (February 2027) and Virgin Atlantic (October 2027) are out until 2027. Cathay Pacific is suspended through November 30. British Airways returns from November 4 with one daily flight. Lufthansa, SWISS, Eurowings, KLM, Singapore Airlines, ITA Airways and airBaltic are suspended through October 24, Air France through October 13 and Philippine Airlines through October 2. Korean Air's Incheon route is suspended until further notice, while Wizz Air plans to return October 25. EASA's Gulf guidance runs through September 30, the US advises reconsidering travel to the UAE and Canada advises against non-essential travel. Dates reflect airline updates reported as of September 21, 2026 and are shifting frequently.

DXB is open, but a wave of foreign carriers is staying away well into 2027.

Dubai International is operating, and Emirates and flydubai are flying widely. But capacity has recovered to 84% of previous levels and passenger volume to 78%. The gap is driven by foreign carriers waiting on security and insurance clearance. Dubai Airports' CEO has said many foreign airlines have struggled to secure insurance allowing a return. EASA's Gulf guidance runs through September 30. The US advises travellers to reconsider travel to the UAE, and Canada advises against non-essential travel.

Out until 2027

• United (Newark–Dubai): Intends to resume in March 2027, with March 27 as the earliest published date.

• Finnair: Suspended until March 27, 2027, covering the whole winter. As a seasonal route, a return before October 2027 looks unlikely.

• Air Canada: Cancelled until mid-January 2027.

• Luxair: February 2027 at the earliest.

• Virgin Atlantic: Return pushed to October 2027.

Late 2026

• Cathay Pacific: Through November 30, with a possible December restart.

• British Airways: Bookings open from November 4, one daily flight, rising to two in summer.

• Lufthansa, SWISS, Eurowings, KLM, Singapore Airlines, ITA Airways and airBaltic: All suspended through October 24. Eurowings plans to restart on November 1.

• Air France: Through October 13.

• Philippine Airlines: Through October 2.

Open-ended or returning

• Korean Air: Incheon–Dubai suspended until further notice, pending review of the airport's normalisation and demand recovery.

• Wizz Air: Returning October 25.

• Turkish Airlines: Already back in Dubai.

What passengers should know

Airlines are generally offering rebooking or refunds. Cathay, for example, waives fees on eligible tickets, with new travel to be completed by March 31, 2027. Check the operating airline directly. Virgin Atlantic points travellers to codeshare partners such as China Eastern, IndiGo and Kenya Airways.

Editor's Note: Dates reflect airline updates reported as of September 21, 2026 and are shifting frequently. One aggregator still lists Finnair through October 24, but most sources say March 27, 2027.