UAE airlines cancel regional flights amid Gulf security concerns

UAE carriers including Emirates, Etihad, and Air Arabia have announced further flight cancellations and service modifications on Friday, 14 August, as regional tensions and heightened security measures disrupt travel schedules. The disruptions coincide with a deepening crisis in the Strait of Hormuz and increased security protocols at Indian airports ahead of the country’s Independence Day on Saturday, 15 August. Etihad and Air Arabia cancel regional routes Etihad Airways has confirmed that while flights EY643 and EY644 between Abu Dhabi and Bahrain will operate, several other rotations including EY641, EY642, EY645, EY646, EY647, and EY648 are cancelled until 21 August. Air Arabia reported multiple cancellations from Sharjah to Bahrain (G9107), Kuwait (G9068, G9124), and Doha (G9132), as well as an Abu Dhabi to Kuwait service (3L020). Emirates has advised that status information for affected routes to Kuwait and Bahrain will only be available 24 hours before departure. The airline is allowing passengers booked to or from Dubai to change travel dates without a fee an unlimited number of times, a policy introduced on 10 August. Meanwhile, flydubai continues to operate scheduled services to Kuwait, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia, though it advises passengers to arrive at Dubai International Airport four hours before departure. International carriers extend suspensions The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has extended its conflict-zone advisory for Gulf airspace until…