Dubai International Airport is facing a double blow this week as a powerful storm system sweeps the UAE, adding weather-related chaos to an airport already operating well below capacity due to the ongoing regional conflict.
An amber weather alert is in force across Dubai on March 26 and 27, issued by the UAE’s National Centre of Meteorology (NCM), warning of torrential rain, hail, thunder, lightning and winds gusting to 60km/h. The UAE has been battered by heavy rainfall since March 23, with parts of Abu Dhabi and Ajman recording close to a year’s worth of rain in a single day.
What Emirates is telling passengers
Emirates has urged all passengers departing Dubai International Airport to check their flight status at emirates.com before travelling to the airport and to arrive at least two hours ahead of scheduled departure. The airline is also asking travellers to ensure their contact details are current via its manage booking portal to receive real-time disruption notifications.
The bigger picture for travel buyers
The weather disruption comes at a particularly difficult moment for UAE aviation. Emirates is targeting a return to full operations by March 29, subject to the security situation, having operated a reduced schedule since the partial closure of UAE airspace earlier in March following Iranian strikes on the region.
Most major international carriers remain suspended at Dubai International Airport, including British Airways, Lufthansa and KLM. Qatar Airways is operating a limited special schedule from Doha, with around 70% of departures from Hamad International still cancelled.
Dubai Civil Defence has deployed field operations across the emirate to manage flooding. The NCM is urging UAE residents to avoid driving unless absolutely necessary, and Dubai Media Office has warned that fines of up to AED1,000 ($272) and six driving licence penalty points may be imposed on those who venture near valleys or flood-prone areas.
For DMOs and hospitality buyers with group movements through DXB this week, individual passenger notification and flexible rebooking provisions should be activated as a precaution.