Dubai’s main airport announced on Friday that it would be limiting the number of incoming flights for the next two days, as it grapples with clearing a backlog caused by a record-breaking storm that hit the United Arab Emirates three days earlier.
Dubai International Airport, one of the busiest in the world, will restrict incoming flights for 48 hours starting from noon local time (0800 GMT) on Friday, it said on X.
Earlier, Emirates, Dubai’s flagship carrier and one of the largest international airlines globally, announced the suspension of check-in services for all passengers with connecting flights through the city until 2359 GMT on Friday. However, passengers traveling to Dubai as their final destination are allowed to check-in and proceed with their travel plans as usual.
The actions underscore the ongoing challenges faced by the Middle East hub in clearing a backlog of flights following the UAE’s most intense rainfall in 75 years, which brought much of the country to a standstill for two days and caused significant damage.
What happened earlier?
In neighboring Abu Dhabi, which also experienced the downpour on Tuesday, state carrier Etihad stated that flight operations have returned to normal.
Dubai Airports Chief Executive Paul Griffiths informed local radio station Dubai Eye on Friday that thousands of passengers have been impacted by flight cancellations this week due to flooded taxiways caused by the storm.
State news agency WAM reported on Thursday that Dubai Airports Chief Operating Officer Majed Al Joker stated that Dubai International Airport would return to normal operations within 24 hours. He indicated a return to full capacity and a regular schedule.
The storm, initially hitting neighboring Oman on Sunday, struck the UAE on Tuesday, resulting in 20 reported deaths in Oman and one in the UAE.