ABU DHABI, October 18, 2026: Travellers flying to or from the UAE have been advised to watch for possible schedule changes after the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) warned that seasonal weather conditions could affect some flights.
In an announcement issued on October 17, the aviation regulator said changing weather patterns and reduced horizontal visibility in certain parts of the country may lead to limited flight delays.
The authority stressed that any operational impact would depend on actual weather conditions and aviation safety requirements.
Why could UAE flights be delayed?
Reduced visibility can affect airport and aircraft operations, particularly when weather conditions require additional safety precautions.
The GCAA explained that airlines and airport operators follow established aviation safety procedures when responding to these seasonal conditions.
Importantly, the announcement does not mean that every UAE airport or airline is experiencing delays.
What should passengers do?
Passengers travelling through Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah or other UAE airports should check their flight status directly with their airline before leaving for the airport.
Travellers should also:
- Monitor official airline notifications and flight-status pages.
- Check airport announcements for schedule changes.
- Allow sufficient time for airport check-in and travel.
- Follow instructions issued by airlines and airport staff.
These are precautionary travel recommendations, not an announcement of widespread cancellations.
Where will flight updates be announced?
According to the GCAA, airlines and airports will communicate any changes affecting flight schedules through their official channels.
Passengers should rely on those updates rather than unverified social media reports.
Official source: Emirates News Agency (WAM)
