Emirates suspends flights transiting through Dubai, as airport limits arrivals amid storm backlog
- This week’s rains were the heaviest experienced by the UAE, bringing much of the country to a standstill
- Dubai International Airport has faced flight diversions, delays and cancellations after storm flooded taxiways
Dubai’s main airport said on Friday it is limiting the number of flights arriving for two days, as it continues to struggle to clear a backlog three days after a record storm swept the United Arab Emirates.
Dubai International Airport, one of the world’s busiest, will limit arriving flights for 48 hours from noon local time on Friday, it said on X.
Dubai flagship carrier Emirates, one of the world’s biggest international airlines, earlier said check-in was suspended for all customers with onwards connections through the city until early Saturday. Those travelling to Dubai as their final destination, may check in and travel as usual.
In neighbouring Abu Dhabi, which was also hit by the downpour on Tuesday, state carrier Etihad said flight operations are back to normal.
Thousands of passengers have been affected by flight cancellations this week, Dubai Airports Chief Executive Paul Griffiths told local radio station Dubai Eye on Friday, after the storm flooded taxiways.
Dubai Airports Chief Operating Officer Majed Al Joker said on Thursday that Dubai International Airport would resume normal operations within 24 hours and signalled a return to full capacity and a regular schedule, state news agency WAM reported.