DUBAI: Dubai’s bustling airport faced continued chaos on Thursday as heavy rains, the heaviest on record, continued to wreak havoc in the United Arab Emirates.
Emirates and flydubai, the city’s flagship airlines, resumed check-ins after advising passengers to stay away on Wednesday due to the extensive disruptions caused by the downpour. Thousands of stranded travelers congested the airport as 1,244 flights were cancelled and 41 diverted over the past two days, with runways and highways submerged under torrential rain.
Traffic congestion persisted on Thursday, exacerbating the aftermath of the storms. Major highways were submerged, blocking routes and causing severe delays for commuters.
Dubai Airport, known for its bustling international traffic, witnessed scenes of chaos as stranded passengers sought information about their disrupted flights. Dubai Airports urged passengers to stay away from Terminal 3, which serves Emirates and flydubai, unless their departure was confirmed due to the high volume of people.
Emirates issued a statement acknowledging delays and congestion, assuring passengers that airport teams were working tirelessly to restore scheduled operations.
Despite efforts, nearly 200 departures remained delayed or cancelled on Thursday, further compounding the travel woes of affected passengers.
Many travelers found themselves stranded at the airport, unable to reach their destinations or accommodations due to flooded roads and transport disruptions. Some endured lengthy flight diversions and extended travel times, adding to the frustration and discomfort of their journey.
For one elderly couple, a 14-hour flight from Brisbane turned into a 24-hour ordeal after being diverted and then unable to navigate through flooded streets to their hotel. With tears in her eyes, Julie, 72, expressed her despair at the situation, highlighting the challenges faced by travelers amidst the ongoing disruptions.
