Dubai Airports disruptions: flyDubai, Air Arabia flights cancelled, Emirates suspends checkin

Dubai International (DXB) airport is facing significant operational challenges due to the unprecedented weather conditions experienced in the UAE on Tuesday, April 16.

The airport authority issued a notification through its social media accounts on Twitter, saying, “We advise you NOT to come to the airport, unless absolutely necessary. Flights continue to be delayed and diverted. Please check your flight status directly with your airline. ”

⚠️We advise you NOT to come to the airport, unless absolutely necessary.
Flights continue to be delayed and diverted. Please check your flight status directly with your airline.

We are working hard to recover operations as quickly as possible in very challenging conditions.

— DXB (@DXB) April 17, 2024

Challenges faced by the Dubai Airports

The airport authority issued a statement acknowledging the disruptions caused by the adverse weather conditions.

According to the statement, the airport is encountering several operational challenges, including flooding and road blockages, which have limited transport options for arriving and departing guests.

Efforts to restore normal operations

Despite the challenges, the airport authority assured the public that they are continuously working with emergency response teams and service partners to restore normal operations as quickly as possible. However, they cautioned that the recovery process will take some time.

We are currently experiencing significant disruption due to the weather and are continuously working with our emergency response teams and service partners to restore normal operations as quickly as possible.

— DXB (@DXB) April 17, 2024

The airport authority emphasised that they are working around the clock with emergency response teams and service partners to address the situation and get operations back on track as quickly as possible.

Flooding and road blockages have left limited transport options for arriving and departing guests.
Flights are delayed/diverted and impacted by displaced crew.
Recovery will take some time. We thank you for your patience and understanding while we work through these challenges.

— DXB (@DXB) April 17, 2024

Additionally, travellers are encouraged to allow extra time for their journeys to the airport to account for any delays or disruptions caused by the weather conditions.

flyDubai cancels flights

flyDubai said on Tuesday it temporally suspended all of its flights departing from Dubai until Wednesday morning due to bad weather, the state news agency WAM reported.

“All flydubai flights scheduled for departure from Dubai this evening (16 April) have been canceled effective immediately until 10:00 (Dubai local time) on 17 April. During this period, passengers who do not have Dubai as their final destination will not be accepted for travel,” a flyDubai spokesperson was quoted as saying.

Emirates suspends checkin

Emirates announced that it had suspended check-in for passengers departing Dubai on Wednesday, April 17.

“Emirates is suspending check-in for passengers departing Dubai effective 08:00 hrs on April 17 until midnight (00:00hrs April 18) due to operational challenges caused by bad weather and road conditions.”

Emirates is suspending check-in for passengers departing @DXB from 8:00am on 17 April until midnight, due to operational challenges caused by bad weather and road conditions. Affected customers can contact their booking agent or visit https://t.co/H1klWYurOd for rebooking. (1/3) pic.twitter.com/88P1WJHB2n

— Emirates Support (@EmiratesSupport) April 17, 2024

The national carrier notified passengers that transit passengers will continue to be processed however, they should account for delays during arrivals or departure.

Passengers arriving in Dubai and already in transit will continue to be processed for their flights. Customers can expect delays to departures and arrivals, and are advised to check the latest flight schedules on https://t.co/RphFmbRpzF (2/3) pic.twitter.com/12zFJj5LsJ

— Emirates Support (@EmiratesSupport) April 17, 2024

Air Arabia cancels flights

The budget carrier announced it was cancelling flights scheduled for Wednesday, April 17 due to the severe weather conditions experienced in the UAE and in the region on Tuesday.

It advised passengers to visit its website to check the flight status or contact the call centre for rescheduling the flight.

Travel update pic.twitter.com/6JRcqfVYy6

— Air Arabia (@airarabiagroup) April 17, 2024

Read: Dubai Airports diverts inbound flights, RTA suspends intercity bus service

It additionally announced that flight check-in from and to Sharjah Airport was suspended until 02:00 am on April 18.

Travel update pic.twitter.com/vofvdd25A4

— Air Arabia (@airarabiagroup) April 17, 2024

Record rains

The UAE witnessed the highest ever levels of rain recorded over a 24 hour period in the country since the beginning of its climate data records in 1949.

“The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) announced that the UAE witnessed the largest amounts of rainfall during the past 75 years, and that the ‘Khatm al-Shakla’ area in Al Ain witnessed 254.8 mm of precipitation in less than 24 hours,” read a tweet from the official X account of the UAE Media Office.

Read: Highest rain recorded in UAE since records began in 1949