Dubai Airport Chaos: Airlines Resume Full Flight Schedule After Torrential Rain
DUBAI — In the wake of torrential rain wreaking havoc in the United Arab Emirates and neighboring countries, Dubai’s major airlines have managed to get back on track with a full flight schedule despite the chaos at Dubai airport.
Emirates and flydubai have announced that operations are now running smoothly after a tumultuous few days, although a backlog of passengers still lingers.
Emirates’ boss, Sir Tim Clark, admitted that the airline’s response to the crisis was not flawless as the storm caused flash floods and brought travel at the airport to a standstill.
Passengers whose travel plans were disrupted are being given priority in the rebooking process, with efforts being made to clear the backlog as quickly as possible.
The airport’s taxiway was flooded, preventing planes from reaching the runway for takeoff, leaving passengers stranded in the terminal building at Dubai International Airport.
Sir Tim Clark reassured passengers that those who were previously stuck at the airport have been rebooked and are now on their way to their destinations.
In an open letter posted on the airlines’ website, it was announced that regular flight schedules have been restored, but it will take some time to resolve the backlog of rebooked passengers.
A dedicated taskforce has been set up to handle the approximately 30,000 pieces of luggage left behind during the chaos.
Apologizing to customers, Sir Tim acknowledged the shortcomings in their response, citing a lack of information and confusion in the terminals.
Passengers stranded at the airport earlier this week described scenes of “pure chaos” as thousands were left stranded, with the airport resembling “a sea of bodies on every surface.”
Both Emirates and flydubai have resumed full flight schedules, with priority being given to passengers whose travel plans were impacted by the disruptions.
With flights now operating on their regular schedules, Dubai Airport’s departure flow is said to be improving, according to Paul Griffiths, the head of Dubai airports.
Dubai Airport, the world’s second busiest airport, is a major connecting hub between Europe and Asia, serving millions of passengers annually. Despite the recent challenges, both airlines are working tirelessly to ensure a smooth travel experience for all passengers. — BBC
