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Severe weather conditions across the USA, combined with planned airport infrastructure works in Europe, have triggered a wave of flight cancellations and operational suspensions by major Gulf carriers, underscoring the vulnerability of global aviation networks to both environmental and logistical disruptions.
Airlines including Emirates, Etihad Airways, flydubai and Qatar Airways have issued travel updates warning passengers of cancellations, suspensions and potential delays as conditions evolve.
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The developments come as airlines intensify their focus on operational resilience, customer communication and contingency planning amid increasingly frequent weather-related disruptions and infrastructure constraints.
Emirates cancels multiple US flights due to Storm Fern
Emirates has cancelled a significant number of flights to and from the USA due to the anticipated severe impact of Storm Fern across parts of the country. The airline confirmed that services on key routes connecting Dubai with New York, Washington, Boston and Dallas, as well as select European-US routes, have been affected.
Cancelled flights include EK203, EK204, EK201 and EK202 between Dubai and New York on 25 and 26 January, alongside EK205 and EK206 between Milan and New York. Additional cancellations cover routes between Athens and Newark, Dubai and Dallas, Dubai and Washington, and Dubai and Boston, spanning travel dates between January 24 and 25.
Customers connecting through Dubai on the affected flights will not be accepted for travel at their point of origin. Emirates has advised impacted passengers to contact their travel agency for rebooking, while those who booked directly with the airline are encouraged to reach out through Emirates’ customer service channels. Customers have also been urged to ensure their contact details are up to date via the airline’s “Manage Your Booking” platform to receive the latest updates.
The airline stated that it continues to monitor the situation closely and apologised for the inconvenience caused.
flydubai suspends Basel operations for runway refurbishment
Separately, flydubai has announced a temporary suspension of all operations to Basel, Switzerland, due to scheduled runway refurbishment at EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg Airport. The suspension will be in effect from April 16 to May 22, 2026.
Customers affected by the Basel cancellations have been advised to contact the flydubai Contact Centre in Dubai, visit a flydubai travel shop, or reach out to their travel agent to explore rebooking or refund options. The airline has also encouraged passengers to update their contact details through its “Manage your booking” feature and to regularly check flight status updates on its website.
While unrelated to weather conditions, the suspension highlights how planned infrastructure upgrades can also significantly impact airline schedules and passenger travel plans.
Etihad cancels New York and Washington flights amid US airport closures
Etihad Airways has also cancelled several services to and from the USA as severe weather conditions and airport closures affect North America. Flights to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport scheduled for Sunday, January 25, have been impacted.
The affected flights include EY1 and EY3 from Abu Dhabi to New York, EY2 and EY4 from New York to Abu Dhabi, and EY5 and EY6 between Abu Dhabi and Washington. Etihad confirmed that all other services to the United States and Canada are currently planned to operate as scheduled.
The airline described the situation as evolving, noting that further delays or cancellations may occur if conditions worsen. Affected guests are being assisted by Etihad teams and will be rebooked on alternative flights when services resume or offered a full refund if requested. Passengers have been asked to ensure their contact details are up to date to receive timely notifications.
Qatar Airways issues advisory for US-bound passengers
Qatar Airways has issued a general advisory warning passengers travelling to and from the United States to check for updates on flight operations due to the ongoing winter storm. While no specific cancellations were listed, the airline encouraged customers to monitor its website and mobile application for the latest information.
The advisory reflects the broader operational uncertainty facing airlines operating transatlantic routes during severe winter weather events.
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