Emirates President Tim Clark addressed the recent disruptions caused by record rainfall in Dubai in an open letter to customers, apologizing for the inconveniences faced by travelers. Nearly 400 flights were canceled and many more were delayed in the days following the thunderstorm, leading to congestion, lack of information, and confusion in the terminals. Acknowledging the frustration of customers, Clark assured that the airline is committed to learning from the experience and improving future processes to better handle similar events. Despite regular flight schedules being restored, it will take a few more days to clear the backlog of rebooked passengers and bags.
The UAE experienced its heaviest rainfall in 75 years on Tuesday, causing widespread disruptions in operations across the country. In Dubai alone, over 1,200 flights were canceled and 40 were diverted, impacting Emirates significantly. To manage the situation, check-in for departing passengers was suspended, ticket sales were embargoed, and connecting passenger traffic into Dubai was temporarily halted. The adverse weather conditions also resulted in staffing shortages and logistical challenges, making it difficult to transport essential supplies such as meals and flight amenities.
Emirates has put together a taskforce to sort, reconcile, and deliver some 30,000 pieces of left-behind baggage to their owners. Passengers who were previously stranded in the airport transit area have been rebooked and are on their way to their destinations. The airline is working to address the difficulties faced by customers, pilots, cabin crew, and airport employees in reaching the airport due to flooded roads and logistical challenges. Despite the challenges, Dubai International Airport is now reported to be “100% operational” as per CEO Paul Griffiths.
In response to the disruptions at Dubai International Airport, the Indian embassy in the UAE has advised inbound Indian passengers traveling to or transiting through the airport to reschedule their travel operations. The airport has temporarily restricted the number of inbound flights following the flash floods, leading to adjustments in flight operations. Airlines like Air India and Indigo have canceled flights to and from Dubai due to continued operational disruptions. Customers affected by the cancellations are being offered rescheduling options and full refunds for their tickets. The situation is being closely monitored to ensure the safe and efficient movement of passengers through the airport.
