Six int’l airlines delay Dubai return until 2027

Six major international airlines have announced that they will not return to Dubai until next year.

Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific has joined US-based United Airlines, Air Canada, British operator Virgin Atlantic, Finnair and Luxair in delaying their return to Dubai International Airport until 2027.

Despite operations continuing as normal at DXB, several foreign-based airlines have yet to resume services to the UAE following the regional disruption earlier this year.

Emirates and flydubai continue to operate flights around the world, while several regional airlines, including flynas, Qatar Airways, Saudia and Gulf Air, have also resumed services to DXB. IndiGo, Air India, Air France and Turkish Airlines also continue to operate routes to Dubai.

While most major foreign long-haul operators intend to return to the emirate from the end of October as part of their winter schedules, United Airlines, Air Canada, Finnair, Luxair and Virgin Atlantic will not return until 2027.

Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths has said many foreign-based airlines have struggled to secure insurance that would allow them to return to the region.

Cathay Pacific to return to Dubai in January 2027

Cathay Pacific has announced that it has cancelled all flights to Dubai up to and including Sunday, January 31.

The Hong Kong-based airline had been due to return to the emirate at the end of November but has now postponed its return to the region again.

In addition to its Dubai flights, the airline has also announced that it will not return to Riyadh until Sunday, January 31.

Flexible ticket conditions have been introduced for affected travellers, allowing those with existing bookings to rebook, reroute or receive a refund.

United Airlines to resume Dubai flights in March 2027

US-based carrier United Airlines first suspended its operations to Dubai in February 2026. The airline has said it intends to resume nonstop flights between Newark and Dubai in March 2027.

United, the world’s largest airline in terms of flight capacity and international reach, is offering customers refunds for flights originally scheduled between October 24, 2026 and March 27, 2027.

United has advised customers to take advantage of its partnership with Emirates. The DXB-based airline continues to offer nonstop flights from Dubai to six of United’s main US travel hubs.

Luxair delays Dubai return

Luxembourg’s national airline Luxair has postponed the relaunch of its Dubai service, with flights now scheduled to resume in February 2027 at the earliest.

The carrier had previously been among several foreign-based airlines expected to resume flights in October 2026, but those plans are now on hold.

Luxair was also due to launch flights to Abu Dhabi, but the service is now expected to begin in late 2027.

Finnair suspends winter flights between Helsinki and Dubai

Finnish flag carrier Finnair has suspended its flights between Helsinki and Dubai for the winter season 2026/27.

The airline had been due to return to the emirate between October 25, 2026 and March 27, 2027 but has decided to extend the suspension.

Finnair typically operates a seasonal route between Finland’s capital and the UAE’s largest city. The extended suspension means the airline is unlikely to return to Dubai until at least October 2027.

Air Canada to return to Dubai in March 2027

Air Canada will not operate its Dubai route until the end of March 2027, according to the airline’s latest travel update.

Canada’s national flag carrier had been due to return to the region in January as part of its winter schedule but has now decided to delay the resumption of flights to Dubai International Airport.

Travellers who were due to fly with Air Canada to Dubai can rebook for a later date without additional fees, rebook to another destination without additional fees, or cancel their booking and receive credit for their next Air Canada trip under the airline’s flexible booking policy.

Virgin Atlantic to return to Dubai in 2027

Virgin Atlantic typically operates a seasonal route between London Heathrow and Dubai, but the service was suspended earlier this year.

The daily service between the two global travel hubs will return for the 2027 winter season, according to the latest information on the Virgin Atlantic website.

Virgin Atlantic has advised travellers that year-round flights are available through its codeshare partner airlines, including China Eastern, IndiGo and Kenya Airways. Meanwhile, its joint-venture partner airlines, KLM and Air France, are expected to resume flights to Dubai later this year.