Airlines across the UAE reported flight cancellations and delays on Thursday on routes linking Dubai and Abu Dhabi to Saudi Arabia and Tel Aviv. Etihad Airways has suspended flights to Riyadh and Dammam through October 18, alongside multiple Jeddah cancellations. Disruptions to Tel Aviv services and regional travel are expected to persist into the weekend.
A Flydubai aircraft landed at Saudi Arabia's Tabuk Airport to repatriate passengers stranded after a Dubai to Tel Aviv flight made an emergency diversion. The airline dispatched the second aircraft following an onboard flight deck incident that forced the plane down in Saudi territory. Stranded passengers, consisting mostly of Israeli travelers, were boarded onto the recovery flight to complete their journey to Tel Aviv.
Stock markets across the United Arab Emirates declined following renewed warnings over prolonged regional air travel disruptions. Dubai's benchmark index fell about 0.4 percent and Abu Dhabi slipped 0.6 percent, led by banking and blue-chip equities including Emirates NBD. Local carriers including Emirates, Etihad Airways, flydubai, and Air Arabia continue to adjust flight schedules amid regional tensions.
United Arab Emirates stock indexes retreated as renewed warnings of Middle East flight disruptions dampened investor sentiment. Dubai's benchmark dropped approximately 0.4 percent while Abu Dhabi fell 0.6 percent, led by losses in major banking shares including Emirates NBD. The market weakness reflects vulnerability in an economy where travel and tourism contributed 257 billion dirhams in 2025.
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