UAE-Japan flights: Typhoon could disrupt operations on August 16, say airlines

UAE airlines' flights to Japan are operating as scheduled on Thursday afternoon as the East Asian country braces for Typhoon Ampil's landfall, which is expected to disrupt aviation and public transport operations.

Passengers, however, have been advised to check for weather updates before heading to airports as there could be changes in flights from the UAE to Japan on Friday once the typhoon strikes the destination.

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The powerful storm is likely to bring heavy rains, strong winds and landslides to Japan — including its capital Tokyo. From category 1 hurricane on Thursday, it is expected to reach category 4 on Friday.

Etihad Airways flight EY871 from Tokyo Narita (NRT) to Abu Dhabi (AUH) on August 16 has been rescheduled in response to adverse weather conditions caused by Typhoon Ampil affecting all flight operations in Tokyo.

As a result, EY871, originally scheduled to depart at 5.30pm local time, will now depart two hours earlier at 3.30pm local time. Meanwhile, flight EY878 from Abu Dhabi Tokyo Narita will operate as scheduled, the spokesperson of the Abu Dhabi-based airline said in a statement.

Dubai’s flagship carrier Emirates said its flights were operating as scheduled as of Thursday afternoon.

Among the local carriers, only Emirates and Etihad Airways operate flights to Japan.

Japan Airlines on Thursday announced the cancellation of 191 domestic and international flights on August 16 due to the typhoon.

“For August 16 after 12pm, all the flights to/from Tokyo Haneda Airport have been cancelled. All JAL domestic flight counters in Airport Terminal 1 will be closed after 12pm. Decisions on flight operations are going to be made depending on the latest weather information," it said in a statement on Thursday.

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