1,244 Dubai flights cancelled over 2 days; DXB resumes arrivals for some airlines at Terminal 1

A total of 1,244 flights were cancelled, and 41 were diverted at Dubai International (DXB) until Thursday morning due to runway flooding after Tuesday's incessant rains, a Dubai Airports spokesperson told Khaleej Times.

However, a senior official said on Thursday that regular scheduled operations will be resumed within 24 hours. On Thursday morning, the airport resumed partial operations out of Terminal 1 after the operational disruption caused due to flooding.

The unprecedented cancellations in the world’s busiest international airport were the result of record rain in the UAE on Tuesday.

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“Yes, these are unprecedented cancellations and this is the first time in a long time that such a huge number of flights have had to be cancelled/rerouted due to bad weather conditions. There have been cancellations before, but this is a massive cancellation we've seen for the first time since the pandemic,” said Raheesh Babu, chief operating officer at musafir.com.

Dubai International Airport handled 416,405 flights in 2023, averaging 1,140 a day. Last year saw the highest-ever total aircraft movement recorded at DXB, an increase of 21.3 per cent over the previous year. The airport received a record-breaking 87 million passengers last year.

Full operations within 24 hours

As per the latest updates shared by the airport operator, partial operations have resumed.

Majid Al Joker, chief operating officer of Dubai Airports, said DXB is expected to return to normal scheduled operations within 24 hours.

“We have begun to return to normal gradually since the beginning of this morning in Terminal 1 and Terminal 3, and movement has become more streamlined,” he said.

“It is true that the airport's capacity decreased during the first day after the unstable weather conditions began, but the capacity of people to meet the needs of travellers was higher than usual, and the goal was to ensure that they were provided with the optimal amount of care possible,” he told Wam on Thursday.

Waivers, re-booking by airlines

Babu said airlines are allowing passengers to rebook their cancelled flights, maximum as much as possible.

Majid Al Joker said the needs of affected passengers present at the airport are being taken care of with drinks and meals. They are also being kept informed of all the necessary details, including the rescheduling of flights, booking new flights and special advice.

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