Cathay Pacific has cancelled its Dubai and Riyadh passenger flights up to and including 31 January 2027. Its notice, last updated on 28 September 2026, gives one reason: “the latest developments in the Middle East”. Existing tickets can be rebooked or refunded without the usual charges if they meet the conditions below.
Which tickets are covered
Cathay’s conditions apply to flights to, from or through Dubai (DXB), Riyadh (RUH) and Doha (DOH).
| Condition | Cathay’s term |
|---|---|
| Ticket issued | On or before 28 September 2026 |
| Original departure | Between 28 September 2026 and 31 March 2027 |
| Change deadline | Before 31 March 2027 |
| Travel completed by | 31 May 2027 |
The airport also decides which flights count:
- Dubai or Riyadh: the ticket must be booked on a Cathay Pacific operated flight.
- Doha: the ticket must be ticketed by Cathay Pacific and booked on a Cathay Pacific marketed flight.
The arrangement “does not apply to tickets that have already been fully or partially refunded”. Cathay’s notice names Dubai and Riyadh as the cancelled flights. Doha appears only in the table of ticket conditions.
What you can do
Cathay says it is “continuing to waive rebooking, rerouting and refund charges for existing bookings”. Its other notice says affected travellers can “rebook, reroute or refund”.
- Rebook: pick any new date on or before 31 May 2027, subject to seat availability.
- Refund: Cathay lists it as an option and does not state a processing time.
- Make a new booking instead: any difference in fare or taxes between the original and the new itinerary still applies.
How to ask
- Booked with Cathay: select another flight online.
- Booked through a travel agent: contact the agent directly to arrange changes.
- Booked with Asia Miles: Cathay says “the same flexible ticket conditions as listed above will apply”, and points to Customer Care.
Cathay’s usual charge to cancel an award is USD 120 or 17,000 Asia Miles, as set out in what it costs to undo an award booking. The notice does not give a miles figure for these cancellations. Confirm with Customer Care before you cancel an award ticket.
What the notice does not say
- When, or whether, the flights return after 31 January 2027.
- Any terms for tickets issued after 28 September 2026.
- What applies to a Dubai or Riyadh ticket on another airline’s flight. Use that airline’s own policy.
- Whether a refund goes back to the original form of payment.
If another airline cancels instead, what happens to your ticket covers refunds under Malaysia’s rules and the credit card route for US readers. For delays, see what you are owed when a flight runs late in Asia.