Flights still operating, but Umrah enquiries dip: How Riyadh attacks are affecting pilgrim travel
Travel agencies in Dubai have reported a decline in enquiries for Umrah packages, particularly among customers planning to travel during national holidays
15 October, 2026
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Umrah travel from the UAE is facing growing uncertainty following reported attacks on Saudi Arabia, with transport concerns beginning to influence booking decisions even as many pilgrims continue with their plans.
Travel agencies in Dubai have reported a decline in enquiries for Umrah packages, particularly among customers planning to travel during national holidays. While some pilgrims are postponing their journeys until the security situation becomes clearer, others are proceeding with their arrangements, favouring flight itineraries that avoid Riyadh.
The impact has been uneven across transport options. Airfares for Umrah travel have reportedly remained broadly stable, but cancellations affecting selected airline services and concerns about possible road closures have prompted travellers to examine their itineraries more closely.
The developments follow escalating hostilities involving Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement, which has claimed responsibility for attacks targeting Saudi aviation infrastructure.
Read more-Multiple-entry Umrah visa: What pilgrims must do before each Saudi visit
King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh was reportedly targeted repeatedly in October 2026, with an attack on October 10 leading to a suspension of airport operations. Earlier strikes killed three Saudi citizens, including Saudia pilot Captain Hamoud Ali Alkalthami.
The attacks have also affected other locations, including King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, heightening concerns about aviation security and the potential consequences for regional travel.
Jeddah and Madinah remain preferred pilgrimage gateways
Despite the uncertainty, UAE residents continue to travel to Saudi Arabia for Umrah, with Jeddah and Madinah remaining central to their itineraries.
According to several Dubai-based travel agencies, many pilgrims are flying into Jeddah and arranging their return journeys from Madinah. This allows them to avoid routing their trips through Riyadh, which some travellers are steering clear of because of security concerns.
Airlines including flynas, flydubai, Saudia and Air Arabia continue to offer services relevant to UAE travellers. However, the availability of flights varies by route and travel date, making individual flight checks increasingly important.
The continued movement of pilgrims suggests that concerns have not brought Umrah travel to a standstill. Instead, travellers appear to be making more selective decisions about departure airports, routes and transportation methods.
Airline cancellations put the focus on individual bookings
Reported flight cancellations have added to the uncertainty, although disruptions differ between airlines and services.
Emirates cancellations reported for October 15 included EK801, EK803 and EK805 from Dubai to Jeddah, alongside EK802, EK804 and EK806 on the return route. These cancellations apply to the reported date and do not establish that the same services will be cancelled on later dates.
Etihad Airways has also listed cancellations on its Abu Dhabi–Jeddah route. Its published advisory identifies EY601 and EY602 as cancelled through October 18, while EY603 and EY604 are listed as cancelled through October 19. The advisory does not indicate that every Etihad flight to Jeddah has been suspended.
Air Arabia has reported cancellations affecting certain services from Sharjah to Riyadh, Abha, Dammam and Taif. Other flights to Jeddah have continued to appear on published schedules, although scheduled services are not guaranteed to operate.
For pilgrims, these developments underline the importance of checking flight status directly with airlines before departure and confirming return arrangements before committing to a revised itinerary.
Bus travellers weigh delays against convenience
Ground transportation presents a separate challenge for pilgrims travelling from the UAE. Concerns about possible road closures, delays and routes passing through Riyadh have made some passengers more cautious about choosing buses.
Certain itineraries include journeys through the Saudi capital, while some routes involve layovers of three to four hours. The prospect of extended travel times has encouraged some passengers to consider flying instead.
Bus services are nevertheless continuing to operate. On some routes, the number of available services has reportedly fallen by around half, reducing the options available to travellers who prefer road transport.
For other pilgrims, buses remain a practical alternative. Operators have reorganised and streamlined certain routes, making them convenient for passengers whose itineraries suit the available services.
The result is a mixed response rather than a wholesale shift away from buses. Travellers are balancing convenience and cost against concerns about delays, with decisions depending on their destinations and the routes offered by individual operators.
Softer enquiries signal pressure on package demand
The clearest reported effect on the Umrah market has been a slowdown in customer interest.
Dubai-based travel agencies have reported fewer enquiries for Umrah packages, with some prospective pilgrims choosing to wait for more clarity before making bookings. The decline has been particularly noticeable among customers who prefer to travel during national holidays.
For agencies, the change presents a commercial challenge. A reduction in enquiries can affect future bookings even if customers who have already paid for their trips continue to travel.
However, the available information does not point to widespread cancellations among confirmed passengers.
Travellers who have already arranged their flights and other travel requirements are generally proceeding with their journeys, and agencies have not reported significant cancellations for the current travel period.
The current situation differs from disruptions reported in February, when some flights were cancelled and affected passengers had to be transported back by road.
