Dubai Flights - Latest Return Plans for 13 International Airlines in 2026

Dubai airline return dates now stretch from late August to October, but several schedules remain provisional.

International airlines are gradually preparing to restore services to Dubai following months of disruption linked to the regional security situation.

Some carriers have announced firm restart dates. Others have only published the end of their current cancellation period or placed flights in their booking systems.

The information below was checked on August 21, 2026. Travellers should confirm their flight directly with the airline before paying for hotels, connections or other non-refundable arrangements.

Dubai airline return dates for 2026

Air France: August 25: Air France has indicated that its Dubai service could resume on Tuesday, August 25. The restart remains subject to a fresh security and operational assessment.

Air Astana: Dates vary by route: Current booking information shows Almaty to Dubai availability from September 10, while some other Kazakhstan routes return later. Astana to Dubai availability appears from November. This differs from earlier advice that flights from Almaty and Astana would remain suspended through September 30.

Lufthansa and SWISS: Earliest expected return September 14: The Lufthansa Group’s latest published information says Lufthansa and SWISS services to and from Dubai remain suspended through September 13. Earlier reports pointing to September 10 are therefore no longer current.

Philippine Airlines: October 2: Philippine Airlines has confirmed that its Manila to Dubai service will return on Friday, October 2. The airline plans four weekly flights in each direction, operating on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

AEGEAN Airlines: After October 7: AEGEAN says its Dubai flights are cancelled until October 7. Passengers should check the booking system for the first operating flight after that date rather than assuming services will restart on October 7 itself.

airBaltic: After October 24: The Latvian airline has cancelled Dubai flights through October 24. Its booking system currently shows direct Riga to Dubai availability beginning on October 25.

Eurowings: After October 24: Eurowings says its Dubai services remain suspended through October 24. Published winter booking information shows services using Dubai World Central, or DWC, rather than Dubai International Airport on some routes.

KLM: After October 24: KLM’s latest update says it will not operate flights to Dubai through October 24. That makes October 25 the earliest possible return date, although the airline has not guaranteed that every scheduled service will operate from that day.

Singapore Airlines: After October 24: Singapore Airlines has cancelled flights SQ494 and SQ495 between Singapore and Dubai through October 24. Services are expected to return with the winter schedule, subject to conditions.

British Airways: Winter schedule: British Airways services to Dubai are expected to return around the start of the winter aviation season in late October. However, the airline continues to offer added flexibility for affected Middle East bookings through October 31, so passengers should verify individual flights.

Cathay Pacific: October 25: Cathay Pacific has confirmed that its daily Hong Kong to Dubai passenger service is scheduled to resume on Sunday, October 25. The airline moved the restart from its previously planned September 1 date.

Finnair: Late October: Finnair says it will operate direct Helsinki to Dubai flights between October 2026 and March 2027. Travellers should use the airline’s booking system to confirm the first available service because its public route page does not state one universal restart date.

Wizz Air: No confirmed date: Wizz Air has not published a clear official restart announcement for Dubai. Flights have appeared in booking searches for the late-October winter period, but this should not be treated as a confirmed return date until the airline issues an update or confirms the reservation.

Which return dates have official confirmation?

Philippine Airlines has provided one of the clearest schedules. Its official Dubai service announcement confirms an October 2 restart and publishes the planned days and times.

Cathay Pacific has also issued a firm update. The airline’s Middle East passenger-service notice places its Dubai return on October 25.

Other airlines have announced cancellation end dates rather than guaranteed restart dates. For example, KLM’s latest Middle East statement says Dubai flights will not operate through October 24. It does not promise that every service will resume immediately on October 25.

Similarly, Singapore Airlines’ travel advisory confirms cancellations through October 24 and warns that the situation remains fluid.

DXB and DWC are different airports

Passengers should check the airport code shown on their ticket. DXB refers to Dubai International Airport, while DWC refers to Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central.

This is particularly important for Eurowings passengers because some winter services shown in its booking system use DWC. The two airports are in different parts of Dubai, and transferring between them can require significant additional travel time.

What affected passengers should do

A published return date does not guarantee that every flight on a route will operate. Airlines may change schedules after new security, insurance or operational assessments.

Check the flight number in the airline’s app or flight-status tool.
Confirm whether the airport is DXB or DWC.
Make sure the airline has your current email address and mobile number.
Review rebooking and refund conditions before accepting a replacement itinerary.
Allow extra connection time when another airline operates the onward flight.
Avoid travelling to the airport unless the booking shows as confirmed.

Travellers booking winter trips should also consider flexible hotel rates and travel insurance that covers relevant disruption. Insurance terms vary, and policies bought after a disruption becomes known may exclude claims connected to that event.

Passengers should continue checking directly with their airline, as Dubai flight schedules may change before the planned restart dates.