Etihad Airways has extended the suspension of its Abu Dhabi flights to three Saudi cities until Saturday, October 24, citing regional disruption. The affected destinations are Dammam, Jeddah and Riyadh, the airline said, as it advised travellers to check their flight status before heading to the airport.
The cancellations cover Abu Dhabi-Dammam and Abu Dhabi-Riyadh services through that date, while Abu Dhabi-Jeddah is also affected. Four Jeddah flights — EY601, EY602, EY603 and EY604 — are cancelled through October 24, with EY601 and EY603 operating outbound and EY602 and EY604 running the return leg. Etihad described the situation as dynamic and said schedules could change further.
Routes affected and flight numbers
The airline has prolonged the cancellations of its Abu Dhabi flights to Dammam, Jeddah and Riyadh until Saturday, October 24. The Abu Dhabi-Dammam and Abu Dhabi-Riyadh services are cancelled through that date, and the Abu Dhabi-Jeddah route is also affected.
For Jeddah, four flights are cancelled through October 24: EY601, EY602, EY603 and EY604. EY601 and EY603 operate from Abu Dhabi to Jeddah, while EY602 and EY604 run the return journey.
Etihad has apologised for the disruption caused to passengers and said its teams are helping affected travellers rearrange their travel. The airline has not indicated when normal services might resume beyond the October 24 date.
Airline advice to travellers
Etihad has advised travellers to verify their flight status at etihad.com before departing for the airport. The airline described the situation as dynamic, saying schedules could change further.
The recommendation to check online comes as the airline works to accommodate passengers whose plans have been disrupted. Etihad said its teams are assisting affected passengers with rearranging their travel.
The airline has apologised for the disruption. It has not provided further details on the nature of the regional disruption beyond describing it as dynamic.
Context of the disruption
A related report says Etihad cancelled all Riyadh flights until October 19 and suspended Jeddah and Dammam services. Coverage links the disruption to a Riyadh airport attack and advisories from the Saudi airport.
The UAE and Saudi Arabia are closely linked by business, tourism and family travel, and Abu Dhabi-Dammam, Abu Dhabi-Jeddah and Abu Dhabi-Riyadh are among the busiest regional routes. Any suspension affects a wide range of travellers, from daily commuters to holidaymakers.
Airlines routinely adjust schedules when they assess that conditions on the ground or along the route may affect safety or operations. Etihad has not elaborated on the specific factors behind the current cancellations beyond the reference to regional disruption.
What it means for Gulf residents and businesses
For residents in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, the extended cancellations mean that travel plans between Abu Dhabi and Dammam, Jeddah and Riyadh will need to be revisited. Passengers holding tickets on the affected flights should confirm their status before travelling and contact the airline if they need to rebook.
Businesses that rely on these air links may face delays to meetings, projects and shipments of time-sensitive goods. Companies with staff or clients moving between the two countries should consider alternative arrangements or allow extra time for travel.
The disruption also comes at a time when regional travel demand is generally strong, making rebooking options potentially limited. Travellers are advised to stay in touch with the airline for updates, as Etihad has said schedules could change further.