At least 16 airlines from outside the Gulf region are not flying to Dubai this winter, with several now delaying their return until the end of March.
KLM announced on October 26 that it will not operate to Dubai during the entire 2026/27 winter season, which runs through March 27. Lufthansa Group pushed its return to November 25 on October 23, the latest postponement in a series of delays since March. Finnair, United, Air Canada, and Wizz Air are also staying out until spring.
The timing creates challenges for Dubai's hotels. Hotel operators told Skift last week they expected European airlines to resume winter schedules in late October, anticipating that timing would lift December bookings. Forward booking data, however, remained cautious as of September 30.