UAE–Kuwait Flights Cancelled Amid Airspace Restrictions and Operational Constraints
Major Gulf carriers including Emirates, Etihad Airways, and Air Arabia have announced widespread cancellations and schedule revisions for flights connecting the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait. The disruptions follow temporary airspace closures at Kuwait International Airport (KWI) and evolving regional security conditions across the Middle East.
Travelers navigating Dubai International Airport (DXB), Zayed International Airport (AUH) in Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah International Airport (SHJ) are experiencing severe delays as airlines adjust regional flight paths and reorganize operational schedules.
Affected Airlines and Flight Details
Multiple daily services connecting the primary UAE air hubs to Kuwait City have been grounded or rescheduled:
- Emirates (Dubai International Airport - DXB to Kuwait - KWI):
- Outbound Services: EK853, EK855, EK857, and EK859.
- Inbound Services: EK854, EK856, EK858, and EK860.
- Current Status: Flights cancelled; direct rebooking and travel vouchers are being processed via the Emirates Live Flight Tracker.
- Etihad Airways (Zayed International Airport - AUH to Kuwait - KWI):
- Services: EY653 (Outbound) and EY654 (Inbound).
- Current Status: Suspended pending operational clearances; updates and re-routing options are available through the Etihad Flight Status Portal.
- Air Arabia (Sharjah - SHJ & Abu Dhabi - AUH to Kuwait - KWI):
- Sharjah Routes: G9068, G9124, G9121 (Outbound) and G9069, G9125, G9122 (Inbound).
- Abu Dhabi Routes: 3L020, 3L022 (Outbound) and 3L021, 3L023 (Inbound).
- Current Status: Cancellations active; passenger re-arrangements managed via Air Arabia Customer Support.
- Kuwait Airways & Regional Operators:
- Current Status: Widespread adjustments remain in effect following temporary KWI airspace advisories; latest updates can be accessed via Kuwait Airways Official Announcements.
Travel Expert Advisory for Affected Passengers
- Verify Live Status Remotely: Check live flight updates through official carrier apps or flight tracking engines before traveling to the departure terminal.
- Avoid Premature Manual Cancellations: Allow the airline to formally issue a cancellation notice before making changes. Manual changes prior to official cancellations can forfeit your eligibility for full refunds or complimentary rebooking.
- Ensure Up-to-Date Contact Records: Verify that your personal mobile phone number and primary email address are updated in your passenger reservation (PNR) to receive SMS alerts regarding immediate gate or time changes.
- Maintain Expense Records: Retain receipts for necessary meals, local transport, or interim hotel stays in the event of overnight delays for travel insurance claims.
For ongoing international travel guidelines, review updates from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and real-time alerts via Gulf News Aviation Updates.
