All NewsOctober 14, 2026

Low-cost airline Wizz Air exits 2 major markets until March 2027

For the last three decades, the United Arab Emirates has anchored Middle East tourism, led by globally recognized hotspots Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Now, ongoing regional conflicts are undercutting that appeal, driving visitor declines and airline route cancellations across the Gulf.

Regional security risks escalated further after Saudi air defenses intercepted several Houthi missiles over Riyadh. That attack suspended operations at King Khalid International Airport, damaged homes, and caused casualties, including one death and 11 injuries on Oct. 13, as the BBC reported, prompting carriers across the region to reassess operations.

Wizz Air confirmed it is pulling back from both Abu Dhabi and Dubai until March 2027, a spokesperson told Aletihad, citing extended airspace restrictions tied to the U.S.-Iran war that force longer routings and make the flights commercially unviable. 

The decision halts more than a decade of regional growth for the airline, which became the first commercial carrier to operate at Dubai World Central in October 2013 before expanding through Wizz Air Abu Dhabi and launching flights to Riyadh in late 2022. 

Wizz Air cancels winter flights to Abu Dhabi and Dubai 

Founded in 2003 and operationally based in Budapest, Wizz Air is Europe’s third-largest low-cost carrier, serving about 200 destinations across Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia. 

Fares are often low but exclude extras like checked bags and seat selection. The airline runs an all-Airbus fleet and often uses secondary airports to keep costs down. 

Wizz Air has confirmed it has delayed the planned restart of its Abu Dhabi and Dubai routes until March 2027. 

“Wizz Air confirms that it has postponed the planned restart of its Abu Dhabi and Dubai routes, cancelling all flights to and from both destinations for the winter season, from October 25, 2026, to March 27, 2027,” Aletihad reported. 

Last month, the carrier announced that it was resuming flights to Abu Dhabi and Dubai, alongside routes to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia and Amman in Jordan. Then, earlier this month, Wizz Air announced it plans to delay the launch of some routes to Abu Dhabi until January, following security updates from Europe’s aviation regulator, according to The National. 

“Regional airspace restrictions extended on September 30 require significantly longer routings to these destinations, increasing flight times and costs and making both A321neo and A321XLR operations commercially unviable under current conditions,” the airline said in a statement to The National.

The carrier suspended its European-operated flights to the Middle East in February following conflicts in the region. The Middle East services include around 12 routes and 49 weekly flights to the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan during the winter season, connecting the Middle East with nine European cities. 

“We regret the disruption to travel plans and will continue to monitor developments, reassessing operations as safety guidance and operating conditions evolve,” Wizz Air said.

Wizz Air cancels winter flights to Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Fotokot197 / Getty Images

Other airlines also adjust schedules for Middle East flights 

Wizz Air is not the only carrier adjusting its Middle East operations.

I recently reported on Delta Air Lines confirming on Oct. 12 that it has postponed its much-anticipated nonstop flight from Atlanta to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, until March 2027. The service was originally scheduled to launch on Oct. 23, 2026. 

Several international airlines have suspended, postponed, or modified flights to the UAE and Saudi Arabia amid regional security concerns and airspace restrictions. The affected routes and suspension periods vary by airline.

  • Delta Air Lines: Postponed the Oct. 23 launch of its inaugural Atlanta-Riyadh route until March 2027.
  • Emirates, Etihad, flydubai, and Air Arabia: Extended cancellations between the UAE and Riyadh through at least Oct. 15 (with Etihad suspending all Abu Dhabi–Riyadh flights through Oct. 18).
  • KLM: Its Amsterdam-Riyadh flights are suspended until Oct. 24. 
  • Air France: It planned to restart Riyadh flights on Oct. 27. That date is now in doubt. 
  • British Airways: Planned to restart Riyadh flights on Nov. 3, though that restart schedule is now  in question. 
  • Lufthansa: Delayed its Riyadh restart to Oct. 15.  
  • Air India: Suspended Riyadh flights until Oct. 15.  
  • Cathay Pacific:  Suspended Dubai and Riyadh flights until Jan. 31, 2027.
  • Gulf Air: Canceled all Riyadh flights from Oct. 12 until midnight on Oct. 17. 
  • Singapore Airlines: Its Singapore–Dubai flights are canceled until Dec. 1.  
  • IndiGo: Canceled flights to Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, and Madinah until Oct. 17.  
  • Turkish Airlines: Canceled all four scheduled Riyadh departures on Oct. 8.   
  • Philippine Airlines: Canceled its Manila-Riyadh flight on Oct. 8.  
  • Air Canada: Its Dubai flights are suspended until the end of March 2027. 
  • ITA Airways: Resumed Rome-Riyadh but suspended Dubai flights until Oct. 24.  
  • Finnair: Suspended Helsinki-Dubai flights through March 27, 2027.

Dates change quickly, so check each airline’s advisory before booking.

Related: Royal Caribbean changes its cancellation rules, and it could cost you more