Singapore's SQ494/SQ495 Dubai Flights Cancelled Through May 31
Singapore Airlines (SIA) extended cancellation of flights SQ494 (Singapore–Dubai) and SQ495 (Dubai–Singapore) until May 31, 2026, due to the geopolitical situation in the Middle East. The extension (from a prior April 30 cutoff) was noted in advisories and reporting around early April; other flights may be affected. This directly impacts travelers and expats routing through Dubai.
Singapore's SQ494/SQ495 Dubai Flights Cancelled Through May 31
Singapore Airlines has suspended flights SQ494 and SQ495 , its Singapore-Dubai and Dubai-Singapore routes , through May 31, 2026, with the cancellation extended multiple times since late February due to escalating US-Iran tensions and Gulf airspace closures. Not a short pause. This is the third extension, pushing back from March 28, then April 30 and now end of May, with no guarantee it stops there.
The disruption, honestly, hits harder than a single route cancellation suggests , Dubai functions as a major connection hub to 100+ onward destinations across Europe, Africa and South Asia, so travelers rerouting through alternative hubs are facing longer flight times and fares running 20,30% higher than normal. Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also issued a blanket advisory to defer all travel to the Middle East, covering UAE, Iran and Israel, which means the official guidance isn't just about flights, it's about the region as a whole.
Who's affected: Digital nomads using Dubai as a layover between Southeast Asia and Europe are getting squeezed the hardest, reroutes through Doha or Istanbul add hours and cost, it's frustrating. Expats commuting between Singapore and the UAE, plus tourists on direct bookings, are also stuck mid-plan.
What to do right now:
- Rebook at no charge on alternative SIA-operated routes via the Manage Booking portal or call +65 6223 8888
- Request a full refund for unused tickets , no fees apply under SIA's current policy
- Update your contact details in the booking system so SIA can push notifications if the suspension extends again
- Check Singapore's MFA advisory before booking any Middle East travel, including transit through Dubai
- Monitor SIA's Flight Status page regularly, turns out the situation is fluid enough that another extension before May 31 is genuinely possible
A two-week ceasefire was announced April 8, which is something, but SIA hasn't moved on reinstating the routes yet and frankly the stepwise extension pattern doesn't inspire confidence about a clean May 31 reopening.
Stay across the latest nomad news as the situation develops and read our full Singapore guide for broader travel and visa context.