Brief
UAE flight cancellations and oil price surge follow Gulf attacks on Oct. 20
Airlines to Saudi Arabia halt services through Oct. 24 and oil benchmarks rise sharply amid new Gulf tensions.
By Felo News Desk · Published
On Tuesday, Oct. 20, Gulf tensions intensified after Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said it set naval mines that ignited two oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. In response, UAE carriers cancelled or delayed flights to Saudi Arabia and oil prices surged.
What happened
Etihad Airways cancelled all flights between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam until Saturday, Oct. 24, and warned of further changes. Emirates and flydubai also suspended services to the three Saudi cities, while Dubai‑Medina flights remain listed. Saudi King Khalid International Airport stays closed under travel advisories. Air India, Air India Express and IndiGo halted Saudi flights until Oct. 24.
At sea, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed mines set ablaze two tankers at an “illegal crossing point” in the southern Hormuz corridor, a claim not independently verified.
What the reports add
Gulf News noted that US crude (WTI) jumped 5.7% to $109.60 a barrel and Brent rose 2% to $111.69, reflecting supply‑fear premiums. Qatar, mediating between the US and Iran, said a military solution was impossible and backed diplomatic efforts. Britain announced deployment of RAF Typhoon jets to protect Saudi cities.
What was said
Qatar’s spokesperson told Gulf News, “There could be no military solution to the crisis and we back all diplomatic efforts to restore free passage.”
How it came about
Earlier this month, the International Atomic Energy Agency praised the UAE’s emergency preparedness at the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, and travel advisories from the US, Australia and the UK warned residents of heightened risks.
Key facts
- Etihad cancelled all Abu Dhabi‑Saudi flights until Oct. 24 (gulfnews.com)
- US WTI crude rose to $109.60 a barrel, Brent to $111.69 (gulfnews.com)
- Iran’s Revolutionary Guard claimed mines set two tankers ablaze in the Strait of Hormuz (gulfnews.com)
- Qatar said there is no military solution and supports diplomatic efforts (gulfnews.com)
- Britain will deploy RAF Typhoon jets to defend Saudi cities (gulfnews.com)
Timeline
- 2026-10-20 — Iran claims mine strikes on two tankers in the Strait of Hormuz
- 2026-10-20 — Etihad cancels Abu Dhabi‑Saudi flights through Oct. 24
- 2026-10-20 — US WTI crude jumps to $109.60 a barrel
Sources
- [1] gulfnews.com — originally reported as “Gulf Tensions Escalate: Flight Disruptions, Oil Price Surge, and Strait of Hormuz Crisis”
