Dubai International Airport Limits Arrivals Amid Backlog from Record Storm

Following unprecedented rainfall, Dubai International Airport imposes a temporary limitation on incoming flights to manage a backlog, as recovery efforts continue.

 

Dubai International Airport, one of the busiest aviation hubs globally, announced restrictions on the number of incoming flights for 48 hours starting noon local time (0800 GMT) on Friday. This decision is part of ongoing efforts to manage a significant flight backlog resulting from a record-breaking storm that hit the United Arab Emirates earlier this week.

The airport's announcement on social media platform X indicated that the measures were necessary as the facility continued to grapple with disruptions caused by the UAE's heaviest rainfall in 75 years. The storm, which also affected neighboring Oman, resulted in widespread flooding and damage, severely impacting transportation and infrastructure across the region.

Emirates, Dubai's flagship airline and a major global carrier, responded by suspending check-in for all passengers with onward connections through Dubai until 2359 GMT on Friday. However, those traveling to Dubai as their final destination were permitted to check in and proceed with their journeys as usual.

Despite these challenges, Etihad Airways, based in the neighboring emirate of Abu Dhabi, reported that its operations had returned to normal. Abu Dhabi also experienced significant rainfall but has managed to stabilize faster than Dubai.

Dubai Airports Chief Executive Paul Griffiths highlighted the scale of the disruption in a statement to Dubai Eye radio, noting that thousands of passengers were affected by cancellations throughout the week. Meanwhile, Dubai Airports Chief Operating Officer Majed Al Joker expressed optimism on Thursday, stating that Dubai International Airport expected to resume normal operations within 24 hours, according to the state news agency WAM.

The UAE's National Center of Meteorology has cautioned that the region might experience more light to moderate rainfall early next week, which could potentially complicate ongoing recovery efforts. Temperatures are expected to drop along some coastal areas, offering a slight reprieve from the usually arid climate.

This weather anomaly underscores the challenges faced by regions unaccustomed to such extreme weather events, highlighting the need for robust infrastructure and preparedness strategies to mitigate similar disruptions in the future.