Etihad Airways and flydubai have resumed selected flights to Saudi Arabia, in the first sign of a gradual return of Gulf air links after weeks of cancellations caused by the regional conflict.

Flydubai's services to Dammam are due to restart on Tuesday 10 November, while Etihad has already brought back its daily flights between Abu Dhabi and Jeddah. Flights to the Saudi capital, Riyadh, remain suspended, showing that the recovery is still partial and fragile.

Etihad brings back Jeddah flights

Etihad resumed selected daily flights between Abu Dhabi and Jeddah last week. Flights EY601 and EY603 from Abu Dhabi, and EY602 and EY604 on the return leg, have been operating since Friday 6 November, and the airline said its other Jeddah services would continue as scheduled.

But all passenger and cargo flights between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh, and between Abu Dhabi and Dammam, remain cancelled through Thursday 19 November, according to Etihad's latest travel advisory. The airline has warned that the schedule remains fluid and further changes may be necessary.

Flydubai restarts Dammam on Tuesday

Flydubai, the Dubai-based carrier, resumed services from Dubai to Jeddah on 6 November. Its booking platform now lists Dammam flights from 10 November, with services to Abha and Riyadh listed from 17 November.

The airline had earlier cancelled all flights to Abha, Dammam and Riyadh through 5 November. Its other Saudi destinations, including Madinah, Gassim, Ha'il, Tabuk and Taif, have been listed as operating.

Flydubai has separately suspended its Dubai to Tel Aviv flights through at least the end of November.

Weeks of disruption for travellers

Airlines cut flights to Saudi Arabia after Houthi missile and drone attacks on Saudi targets, including Riyadh, and as the war between the United States and Israel and Iran disrupted airspace across the Gulf. King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh has continued to operate limited domestic and international flights, but many foreign airlines have kept services suspended.

Jeddah, on the Red Sea coast and further from the Houthi launch zones in northern Yemen, has stayed the most accessible Saudi gateway throughout the crisis, with most Gulf and Indian carriers continuing to serve it.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency's conflict-zone advisory for the Jeddah flight information region remains in force through 16 November, according to industry reporting. If it is not renewed, European carriers may begin resuming Riyadh services within days.

What passengers should do

Travellers should check the status of their own flight directly with the airline before going to the airport, as restart dates have already moved once and may move again. Both Etihad and flydubai have said schedules can change at short notice while the security situation remains uncertain.