Travellers using Dubai’s two airports are facing an abrupt series of schedule changes after 14 flights were cancelled between 15 and 17 December. Data compiled by industry tracker FlightAware and confirmed by airport authorities shows services operated by Emirates, Qatar Airways, Air Canada, Flydubai and others were withdrawn at short notice, affecting connections to Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Hanoi, Toronto, Amman, Doha, Riyadh, Cochin and Tel Aviv.
At Al Maktoum International (DWC), Emirates axed all-cargo rotations to Hong Kong, Guangzhou and Hanoi, while Qatar Airways scrubbed a Doha freighter sector. Over at Dubai International (DXB), Air Canada cancelled its 13-hour Toronto run, Flydubai suspended a regional flight to Larestan, and Saudi, Royal Jordanian and Seajets grounded multiple services.
Although no single cause has been cited, industry sources point to knock-on effects from winter weather systems across Asia and crew-rostering constraints as carriers race to meet holiday-season demand. The cancellations have left hundreds of business travellers scrambling to re-route, with some forced to overnight in Dubai as subsequent flights operate near capacity.
![Wave of flight cancellations hits Dubai hubs, disrupting regional and long-haul itineraries]()
Practical steps for mobility teams include proactive monitoring of GDS messaging, issuing real-time alerts to travelling staff and leveraging airline waivers that permit re-booking without penalties. Where itineraries are mission-critical—such as project-site mobilisations or executive roadshows—companies may need to consider alternative routings via Abu Dhabi or regional hubs in Muscat and Doha.
Should any rerouting or extended layover require new paperwork, VisaHQ can expedite UAE and transit visas online, with live support and same-day processing available through its portal (https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/). Having documentation handled quickly removes another layer of uncertainty for travellers already juggling disrupted schedules.
With DXB already forecasting record passenger peaks later this month, the episode highlights the fragility of end-of-year schedules and the importance of contingency planning for both assignees and visiting clients.
At Al Maktoum International (DWC), Emirates axed all-cargo rotations to Hong Kong, Guangzhou and Hanoi, while Qatar Airways scrubbed a Doha freighter sector. Over at Dubai International (DXB), Air Canada cancelled its 13-hour Toronto run, Flydubai suspended a regional flight to Larestan, and Saudi, Royal Jordanian and Seajets grounded multiple services.
Although no single cause has been cited, industry sources point to knock-on effects from winter weather systems across Asia and crew-rostering constraints as carriers race to meet holiday-season demand. The cancellations have left hundreds of business travellers scrambling to re-route, with some forced to overnight in Dubai as subsequent flights operate near capacity.
Practical steps for mobility teams include proactive monitoring of GDS messaging, issuing real-time alerts to travelling staff and leveraging airline waivers that permit re-booking without penalties. Where itineraries are mission-critical—such as project-site mobilisations or executive roadshows—companies may need to consider alternative routings via Abu Dhabi or regional hubs in Muscat and Doha.
Should any rerouting or extended layover require new paperwork, VisaHQ can expedite UAE and transit visas online, with live support and same-day processing available through its portal (https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/). Having documentation handled quickly removes another layer of uncertainty for travellers already juggling disrupted schedules.
With DXB already forecasting record passenger peaks later this month, the episode highlights the fragility of end-of-year schedules and the importance of contingency planning for both assignees and visiting clients.
