Emirates Airlines and FlyDubai have announced the resumption of regular flight schedule from Dubai International Airport as of Saturday, signaling a return to normal operations. Both airlines released statements for the resumption of normal schedule three days after Dubai experienced the wettest day in its history, with neighbourhoods, and the airport sinking under rainwater.
Dubai Airport has issued a precautionary alert, urging departing guests from Dubai International (DXB) to arrive at Terminal 3 hours prior to their scheduled departure time.
In a statement, the airport emphasized the importance of travelers adhering to the suggested arrival time to mitigate overcrowding at the airport. Additionally, Dubai International Airport has temporarily restricted the number of inbound flights due to the unprecedented weather conditions experienced in the region.
Emirates President, Tim Clark, said that the airline was compelled to cancel nearly 400 flights and experience numerous delays due to the unprecedented storm that struck Dubai on Tuesday. Consequently, the airline had to suspend check-in services for departing passengers and halt transit operations through Dubai International Airport, a pivotal global travel hub, leaving thousands of travelers stranded.
The aftermath of the storm significantly disrupted airport operations, with flooded taxiways leading to flight diversions, delays, and cancellations. However, both Emirates and flydubai have now resumed full flight schedules from Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport, as confirmed by a spokesperson for flydubai.
In response to the challenges faced by affected customers, Emirates has provided extensive support, including 12,000 hotel rooms and 250,000 meal vouchers. Despite these efforts, Clark acknowledged that it would take several days to clear the backlog of rebooked passengers and restore normalcy to flight operations.
What about Indian carriers?
Indian airlines, too, faced disruptions in their flight operations to Dubai due to restrictions imposed at the busy airport in the Emirates. Air India, Air India Express, and SpiceJet have either canceled or rescheduled their services in response to these restrictions. This has significant implications considering the substantial air traffic between India and the UAE, particularly Dubai, one of the world's busiest airports.
Dubai airport has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), restricting flight operations by non-UAE operators until the morning of April 21. Non-UAE operators with more than two flights within 24 hours have been instructed to reduce operations by 50 percent during this period.
The imposition of the NOTAM has disrupted the flight operations of Indian carriers, leading to cancellations and rescheduling of services. This situation is expected to result in increased operational expenses for the airlines.
For instance, an Air India Express flight from Calicut to Dubai was diverted to Muscat due to the restrictions, with passengers later flown to Ras Al Khaimah. NOTAM serves as essential information for personnel involved in flight operations and is crucial for ensuring aviation safety.
Air India has confirmed the cancellation of flights to and from Dubai on Friday due to ongoing operational disruptions at the airport. The airline is working to re-accommodate affected customers on alternative flights once operations resume.
While operations to Dubai are expected to partially resume on Saturday, some flights from Delhi, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, and Pune will operate to and from Fujairah due to airport restrictions caused by rain-induced flooding, as announced by SpiceJet.
Air India Express has adjusted its flight operations to comply with the reduced capacity directive issued by the Dubai Airport Authority. The airline is closely monitoring developments and awaits necessary permissions to resume its scheduled operations fully. It has extended options for complimentary rescheduling or full refunds to affected passengers.
IndiGo also canceled some Dubai flights on Friday, while there was no comment from Vistara. The Indian embassy in the UAE has advised inbound Indian passengers to reschedule non-essential travel until airport operations normalize following disruptions caused by unprecedented weather conditions earlier in the week.
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