Asan Tata— November 7, 2026Etihad Airways has extended the cancellation of its flights between Abu Dhabi and two Saudi Arabian cities until 19 November 2026. All passenger and cargo flights between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh, and between Abu Dhabi and Dammam, will stay cancelled until that date. The airline announced the extension in an update published on its website on 4 November 2026.
There is better news for travellers heading to Jeddah. Etihad resumed four flights between Abu Dhabi and Jeddah on Friday, 6 November 2026. The rest of the airline’s Jeddah services keep running as scheduled.
The changes affect one of the busiest travel routes in the region. Thousands of people fly between the UAE and Saudi Arabia every week for work, family visits, business meetings and religious travel. If you have a booking on one of the affected routes, you should check your flight status before you travel and speak to the airline about rebooking or a refund.
Quick Answer
Etihad Airways has cancelled all passenger and cargo flights between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh, and between Abu Dhabi and Dammam, until Thursday, 19 November 2026. The reason given is ongoing regional disruption affecting air traffic. Four flights between Abu Dhabi and Jeddah — EY601, EY602, EY603 and EY604 — resumed on Friday, 6 November 2026. All other Abu Dhabi–Jeddah flights will run as scheduled. Affected passengers should check their booking on etihad.com and contact the airline for rebooking or refund options. Do not travel to the airport without a confirmed booking.
What Has Changed
Etihad first suspended its Saudi Arabia flights at the start of November 2026, when regional tensions disrupted air travel across the Gulf. The first suspension was due to end on 5 November. On 4 November, the airline extended the halt for Riyadh and Dammam by a further two weeks, to 19 November.
The extension applies in both directions. That means no Etihad passenger flights from Abu Dhabi to Riyadh or Dammam, and no flights from Riyadh or Dammam back to Abu Dhabi, until the suspension ends. Cargo flights on the same two routes are also cancelled for the same period.
The airline has said the situation remains fluid and further changes are possible. Passengers should treat every date in this article as the latest published plan, not a fixed promise. Flight schedules can change at short notice while the disruption continues.
Which Routes Are Cancelled
The table below sums up the position as published by Etihad on 4 November 2026. Check the airline’s website for the latest status, because the position can change.
| Route | Status | Until |
|---|---|---|
| Abu Dhabi – Riyadh | All passenger and cargo flights cancelled | 19 November 2026 |
| Abu Dhabi – Dammam | All passenger and cargo flights cancelled | 19 November 2026 |
| Abu Dhabi – Jeddah (EY601, EY602, EY603, EY604) | Resumed on 6 November 2026 | — |
| Abu Dhabi – Jeddah (other flights) | Operating as scheduled | — |
Riyadh is served through King Khalid International Airport. Dammam is served through King Fahd International Airport. Both airports are major entry points for travellers to Saudi Arabia’s eastern and central regions, so the suspension affects business travellers, workers and families across the Kingdom.
Jeddah Flights Resume From 6 November
Jeddah is the exception in this update. Etihad restarted four flights on the Abu Dhabi–Jeddah route on Friday, 6 November 2026. The flights are EY601 and EY603 from Abu Dhabi to Jeddah, and EY602 and EY604 from Jeddah to Abu Dhabi.
All other flights between Abu Dhabi and Jeddah will continue to operate according to their regular schedule. Jeddah is the main gateway for pilgrims travelling to Makkah, so the restart will matter to many travellers in the UAE.
Even so, passengers on the resumed Jeddah flights should check their flight status before leaving home. The airline has warned that operational conditions remain subject to change, and a resumed flight can still be delayed or cancelled at short notice.
What Affected Passengers Should Do
If your flight is one of the cancelled services, follow these steps.
1. Check your flight status first
Visit etihad.com and use the flight status tool, or check the Etihad app. Enter your flight number and travel date. Do this before you travel to the airport. Travellers with cancelled bookings have been advised not to go to the airport without a confirmed rebooking.
2. Contact Etihad about rebooking or a refund
Etihad has asked affected passengers to contact the airline about rebooking or refund options. You can reach the airline through its website, live chat or local contact centre. The airline’s Contact Us page lists telephone numbers for the UAE and other countries. Keep your booking reference ready when you call.
3. Look at alternative routes
If you need to travel soon, ask about other options. These may include a later flight on the same route once services restart, a flight to a different Saudi city, or a connection through another hub. Availability will depend on seats and on how the situation develops. The airline’s team can advise what is open for your dates.
4. Check connecting flights separately
If your journey connects through Abu Dhabi to another destination, check each leg of your trip on its own. A cancelled first flight does not always mean the whole booking is cancelled, and a changed connection can affect your onward travel. Confirm every leg before you set out.
5. Keep your documents and receipts
Save your booking confirmation, any messages from the airline and receipts for extra costs. These records will help if you need to change your booking again, claim a refund or speak to your travel insurer.
Rebooking and Refund Options
Etihad has said affected passengers can contact the airline for rebooking or refund options. The exact option open to you will depend on your ticket type and the fare rules on your booking.
The airline has previously said that tickets issued on or after 6 March 2026, with travel dates up to 31 March 2027, can be changed once with no fee. A second change may carry a charge. Self-service rebooking is available online through the airline’s website and app. This guidance comes from the airline’s published travel updates, so confirm the terms that apply to your own ticket when you contact Etihad.
If you no longer wish to travel, ask about a refund. Refund rules differ by fare type. Some tickets can be refunded in full when the airline cancels the flight. Others may be refunded as credit or may carry a fee. Ask the airline to confirm the exact amount and the time it will take.
Travel insurance may also help. If you bought a policy, check whether it covers flight cancellations caused by regional disruption. Many policies cover extra hotel and meal costs when a flight is cancelled, but the terms vary. Read your policy or call your insurer before you spend money on new arrangements.
Other Airlines and Saudi Routes
Etihad is not the only airline affected. Cancellations and delays have also been reported on selected services to Saudi Arabia from Emirates, flydubai and Air Arabia. The scale of disruption differs from one airline to another, and each carrier has published its own updates.
Airspace in the United Arab Emirates remains open, and Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi is open and operating. Dubai and Sharjah airports are also operating. The disruption is route-specific. It affects flights to and from Saudi Arabia and a small number of other regional destinations, not the UAE’s whole network.
Etihad has said it is operating an expanded schedule across the rest of its network, with services to around 70 destinations. If you are flying to a destination outside Saudi Arabia, your flight is likely to run as normal. Still, check your flight status before you travel, because schedules can shift while the disruption lasts.
Why the Flights Were Suspended
Etihad has linked the suspensions to ongoing regional disruption affecting air traffic. The disruption follows renewed tension in the region, which has affected flight paths and airline schedules across the Gulf since early November 2026.
Airlines suspend flights in these situations for safety. They also need the airspace along the route to be open and stable. When conditions change, airlines restore services route by route. That is why Jeddah flights have resumed while Riyadh and Dammam flights stay suspended.
The airline has apologised for the disruption. It has said the safety and comfort of passengers and crew remain its top priority, and that its teams are working to help affected passengers with their travel plans.
What to Check Before You Travel
Before any trip to Saudi Arabia in the coming days, run through this short list.
- Check your flight status on etihad.com or the Etihad app on the day of travel.
- Confirm that your booking is still active, and that no part of it has changed.
- Check connecting flights separately if your journey has more than one leg.
- Keep the airline’s contact details with you in case of a last-minute change.
- Allow extra time at the airport. Disruption can mean longer queues and changed gates.
- Check the travel advice of your government and the entry rules of Saudi Arabia.
If your flight is cancelled and you are already at the airport, speak to the airline’s staff at the service desk. They can help with rebooking, meals and hotel stays where the airline’s policy covers them.
Key Dates at a Glance
These are the dates published by Etihad in its update of 4 November 2026.
- 4 November 2026: Etihad publishes the extension of the Riyadh and Dammam suspensions.
- 5 November 2026: The earlier suspension period ends, but the extension keeps Riyadh and Dammam flights cancelled.
- 6 November 2026: Four Abu Dhabi–Jeddah flights (EY601, EY602, EY603, EY604) resumed.
- 19 November 2026: The extended suspension of Abu Dhabi–Riyadh and Abu Dhabi–Dammam flights runs until this date, unless the airline changes the plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Etihad flights to Riyadh cancelled?
Yes. All Etihad passenger and cargo flights between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh are cancelled until Thursday, 19 November 2026. Check etihad.com for the latest status before you travel.
Are Etihad flights to Dammam cancelled?
Yes. All Etihad passenger and cargo flights between Abu Dhabi and Dammam are cancelled until Thursday, 19 November 2026. The suspension covers both directions.
When did Etihad flights to Jeddah resume?
Four flights — EY601 and EY603 from Abu Dhabi to Jeddah, and EY602 and EY604 from Jeddah to Abu Dhabi — resumed on Friday, 6 November 2026. Other Abu Dhabi–Jeddah flights keep running as scheduled.
Can I get a refund if my Etihad flight is cancelled?
Etihad has asked affected passengers to contact the airline about rebooking or refund options. The exact option depends on your ticket type and fare rules, so ask the airline to confirm what applies to your booking.
Is Abu Dhabi airport closed?
No. Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi is open and operating. The disruption affects selected routes to Saudi Arabia, not the airport or the airline’s wider network.
Should I go to the airport if my flight is cancelled?
No. Passengers with cancelled bookings have been advised not to travel to the airport without a confirmed rebooking. Check your flight status online first, then contact the airline.
Disclaimer
Flight schedules can change at short notice while regional disruption continues. The dates and flight numbers in this article come from the update published by Etihad Airways on 4 November 2026, as reported by Gulf News, Emirates 24|7 and Gulf Today. Always confirm your own booking on etihad.com or through the airline’s contact centre before you travel. This article is for general information only and is not travel advice.
Last Updated: 7 November 2026
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