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Dubai International Airport (DXB): flight delays and compensation

Dubai International Airport – annual passengers: 92+ million (2024). Not an EU airport: flights to Dubai from the EU and flights operated by EU airlines are covered by EU 261/2004. Here is what to expect if your flight was delayed or cancelled here, or you were stranded.

By the EU261 Flight Delay editorial team Last reviewed: Reading time: 6 min How we write our guides

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In short: Flights departing from Dubai International Airport are covered by EU261 only with an EU airline; flights from an EU airport to Dubai are always covered, and flights from the UK by UK261. No EU-style compensation scheme for departures from Dubai; EU261 or UK261 for flights from the EU or UK.

About the airport

Dubai International is the world's busiest airport for international passengers and the base of Emirates and flydubai. Travellers from all over Europe connect here to Asia, Australia and the Indian Ocean.

Not an EU airport: departures from Dubai are not covered by EU261 unless an EU airline operates the flight. The flight from Europe to Dubai, and a connection in Dubai on the same booking, are covered when the journey started in the EU or the UK.

Typical delay causes at Dubai International Airport

  • In April 2024 record flooding disrupted the airport for days – an extraordinary circumstance, but care and refunds were still due.
  • Missed connections in the very large terminals and at transfer security.

Airlines you are likely to fly with here

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What happened?Step 1 of 4

What happened to your flight?
Where did you fly from and to?

With a connection, enter your first departure and your final destination – compensation is based on the total distance.

How late did you arrive at your final destination?

What counts is when the aircraft doors opened at your destination – not the departure delay.

When were you told about the cancellation?
When did you arrive on the replacement flight?
Which airline operated the flight?
When was the flight?

How many passengers were on the booking?

1 passenger

Every passenger gets their own compensation, children too. Infants under 2 without their own seat do not count.

  • Free, no sign-up
  • Fee only if successful (35%)
  • AirHelp: Trustpilot 4.5/5

Rather skip the questions? Start a claim with AirHelp straight away

Local information

  • On a journey such as Paris–Dubai–Bangkok, a missed connection in Dubai can give €600 under EU261 (the journey started in the EU and was on one booking).
  • On the way back, claims for proven losses can be made under the Montreal Convention; Emirates handles them through its customer affairs department.

Frequently asked questions

Can I claim compensation for a flight departing from Dubai International Airport?

Only if the flight is operated by an EU airline. With a non-EU airline, EU261 does not apply to departures from Dubai International Airport, but local rules and the Montreal Convention may give you a claim for proven losses.

Can I claim compensation for a flight arriving at Dubai International Airport?

If the flight departed from an EU airport (for example Frankfurt, Madrid or Budapest): yes, under EU261, whatever the airline. If it departed from the UK: yes, under UK261.

How is the length of the delay measured?

By your arrival time at your final destination – more precisely, the moment the aircraft door opens at the gate. It must be at least 3 hours after the scheduled arrival time.

Related guides

Information only, not legal advice. Passenger figures are approximate and based on the airports' published statistics; punctuality figures are from the UK Civil Aviation Authority. We earn a commission when a claim submitted through our partner links is successful.