Air Canada Extends Flight Cancellations to Dubai and Tel Aviv: What Passengers Should Check by October 24

Air Canada has extended the suspension of flights to Dubai and Tel Aviv until October 24, 2026, inclusive. For travelers, this means that trips between Canada, the UAE, and Israel during the summer-autumn season should be planned with more time, carefully checking the route, refund rules, and the status of alternative connections via other hubs.

The latest update from Air Canada on June 9 became an important signal for the tourism market not only in Canada. The carrier announced that flights to and from Dubai Airport (DXB) and Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv (TLV) remain cancelled due to the situation in the Middle East. The new date in the official announcement is October 24, 2026, inclusive. Previously, the airline's website showed a shorter horizon, so for passengers, this is effectively an extension of the period of uncertainty for almost the entire peak season and the start of autumn travels.

This does not mean that Dubai or Tel Aviv are completely inaccessible for all international flights. However, the decision of the large North American carrier shows that some airlines continue to assess risks conservatively. For a tourist, the main thing is not only to find a ticket, but also to understand whether they can reach their destination or return home safely, predictably, and without unnecessary expenses.

What Exactly Air Canada Changed

The Air Canada announcement refers to the cancellation of flights to and from Dubai and Tel Aviv until October 24, 2026, inclusive. The airline explains this by the current situation in the Middle East and emphasizes that the safety of passengers and crews remains a priority. For people whose flights are affected by the cancellations, the carrier promises to contact them directly and provide options for further action.

Separately, Air Canada indicates that passengers in the region should not go to the airport without a confirmed and actually operating flight of another airline. This is practical advice that should be taken more broadly: in an unstable aviation environment, the existence of a booking itself does not guarantee that the flight will depart on schedule. Before heading to the terminal, it is necessary to check the flight status in the airline's app, on the airport website, and, if the ticket was purchased through an agent, in the seller's support channel.

For travelers from Canada, routes via Toronto Pearson (YYZ) and Montreal-Trudeau (YUL) are particularly important. If the original plan involved a direct Air Canada segment to DXB or TLV, alternatives via European, Turkish, Middle Eastern, or Asian hubs must now be considered. In such routes, it is critical to evaluate not only the price, but also the connection length, transit rules, the risk of an overnight layover, and the possibility of quick rebooking in case of a new disruption.

Why This Is Important for Tourists, Not Just Air Canada Passengers

Dubai is one of the most prominent global hubs for travel between North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Indian Ocean. Tel Aviv, despite the complex security situation, remains an important destination for trips to Israel, family visits, business routes, and religious tourism. When a large airline extends cancellations until the end of October, it affects the schedule of not only one carrier, but also the behavior of passengers, tour operators, hotels, and insurance companies.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) in its June forecast also drew attention to the impact of Middle Eastern disruptions and high jet fuel prices. According to the association's estimate, aviation industry profitability in 2026 deteriorated, and Middle Eastern carriers particularly feel the consequences of capacity reductions, cancellations, operational disruptions, and loss of transit flow. For the passenger, this may manifest not immediately as mass cancellations, but as more expensive fares, fewer convenient options, longer detours, or a more cautious policy of airlines regarding seat sales.

At the same time, immigration and security consultants describe the situation in the region as partially stabilized, but remaining unstable. Many airspaces and airports are operating, however, not all international airlines have returned to a normal schedule. This is an important difference: a route may be technically possible, but operationally inconvenient or risky for a specific carrier.

What Government Recommendations Say

Canadian government recommendations for the UAE and Israel remain strict. For the United Arab Emirates, the Canadian government advises avoiding any travel due to current military activity in the region, warns of a possible rapid deterioration of the security situation and temporary or partial airspace restrictions. The recommendations also state that some commercial flights have resumed, but delays or cancellations with short notice are possible.

For Israel and the Palestinian Territories, Canada also advises avoiding any travel. In the update for Israel, it is noted that Ben Gurion Airport is operating again and some flights have resumed, but destination availability may be limited, and delays or cancellations are possible if the situation deteriorates. For tourists, this means that even with an open airport, it is necessary to have a realistic backup plan: extra nights, a flexible ticket, access to funds, and a clear understanding of which documents are needed for transit through neighboring countries.

Such warnings are particularly important for travelers planning not a short direct flight, but a complex journey with a cruise, layover, car rental, medical tourism, or a further route to another country. In case of the failure of one segment, the entire trip may suffer: hotels, domestic tickets, excursions, transfers, and visa deadlines.

How Air Canada Ticket Holders Should Act

The first step is to check whether your route is actually booked on Air Canada flights and whether it includes DXB or TLV during the cancellation period. If the ticket was purchased directly from Air Canada, it is best to start with the manage booking section. If through an agency or tour operator, you must contact the seller, as they may control the exchange, refund, or rebooking.

The second step is not to automatically agree to the first proposed option if it creates new risks. It should be checked whether an additional overnight layover appears in the route, whether there is enough time between flights, whether a transit visa is required, whether insurance covers delays and cancellations related to the security situation. Passengers with children, elderly relatives, medical needs, or expensive connecting tours should be especially cautious.

The third step is to compare alternative hubs. For trips to the UAE, routes via European or regional hubs, including Abu Dhabi (AUH) or Doha (DOH), may be considered, if flights are actually operating and comply with the recommendations of your country. For trips to Israel, it is particularly important to check the flight status to TLV, ground routes, border operations, and current instructions from local authorities. In any case, the decision should be based on official announcements, not on outdated schedules in flight ticket search engines.

What to Check Before a New Booking

If the trip is not yet paid for, it is better to choose tickets with transparent change or refund rules. The cheapest fare may turn out to be the most expensive if it does not allow for a painless change of date, route, or destination. Before payment, it is worth reading the fare rules, not just the short "refundable" or "changeable" mark. In complex routes, it is better to have all segments on one ticket, as this increases the chances of protection in case of a connection failure.

For overnight stays near the airport, it is better to choose options that can be cancelled or changed. This applies to both hotels near DXB and hotels near TLV, as well as accommodation near Canadian airports at the start of the route. If the flight is moved to another date or the route goes through another hub, inflexible booking may add unnecessary losses.

Separately, ground logistics should be checked. In Dubai, Tel Aviv, Toronto, or Montreal, taxis, transfers, or car rentals may be tied to the arrival time. If the flight changes, a pre-booked transfer may also require adjustment. For passengers who still plan to arrive in Dubai, it is useful to check transfer options from DXB in advance, but finally confirm the time only after the schedule update.

Conclusion

Air Canada's decision to extend the cancellation of flights to Dubai and Tel Aviv until October 24 is not an isolated technical schedule change, but a noticeable indicator that air travel through part of the Middle East remains less predictable than in a normal season. For tourists, the best strategy now is not to panic, but to plan conservatively: check official sources, do not build the route on too short connections, choose flexible bookings, and keep a backup plan for accommodation, transport, and return.

If your trip depends on DXB or TLV, check the flight status directly with the airline before every key action: paying for a hotel, leaving for the airport, buying a separate connecting ticket, or arranging a transfer. In 2026, such attentiveness can save more money and nerves than searching for the lowest fare.