Airlines Are Deciding the Gulf Is Not Worth the Detour This Winter

A cluster of airlines has decided that flying to the Gulf this winter is more trouble than it is worth. Wizz Air has cancelled its winter flights to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, saying that longer routings made the operation commercially unviable. That reasoning, rather than a single incident, is what makes the change look durable.

Singapore Airlines has suspended flights to Dubai until December 1, 2026, and its low-cost arm Scoot has suspended Singapore–Jeddah until December 2. The suspensions come as regional restrictions and security concerns continue to affect flying across the Middle East, with airlines picking their own timelines for returning.

Others are on similar footing. ITA Airways has suspended Rome–Dubai flights through November 30, and KLM has extended cancellations on Amsterdam–Dubai through October 31. Flights to Saudi Arabia have also been hit after attacks on aviation infrastructure, with Etihad and flydubai cancelling services to Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam into mid-October.

For passengers, the practical advice is to treat any Gulf booking this winter as provisional, especially one that routes through a hub in the region. Compensation under European rules is generally unlikely when cancellations stem from conflict-related restrictions, but airlines offer rebooking or refunds, so contacting the carrier early can help.

Sources: AirHelp, AirHelp (Etihad, flydubai)