Dubai airports and airlines are cautioning passengers to prepare in advance for potential travel disruptions caused by heavy rains and thunderstorms in the UAE. Travelers are urged to anticipate traffic delays and consider using the Dubai Metro as an alternative.
This comes as the country has readied itself for volatile weather, projected to reach its peak on May 2, and persist until May 3, the Khaleej Times reported, adding that safety advisories have been issued across sectors. Since midnight, heavy rains have been pounding the country, with Dubai experiencing showers and lightning as early as 2:35 am, according to alerts issued by the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM).
Indian airlines like IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Vistara have issued advisories for flights to and from Dubai, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi due to the expected bad weather, as reported by CNBCTV18. IndiGo posted on X, “Due to adverse weather conditions in Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi, our flight operations are impacted. Please keep a track of your flight status before leaving for the airport.”
#6ETravelAdvisory: Due to adverse weather conditions in #Dubai #Sharjah & #AbuDhabi , our flight operations are impacted. Please keep a track of your flight status at https://t.co/TQCzzyjLr2 before leaving for the airport.— IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) May 2, 2024
Vistara advised, “Due to the anticipated bad weather conditions from May 2 to 5, traffic congestion is expected enroute to Dubai Airport. Customers are advised to allow more time for their journey to the airport. Thank you.”
#TravelUpdate: Due to the anticipated bad weather conditions from May 2nd to May 5th, traffic congestion is expected enroute to Dubai Airport. Customers are advised to allow more time for their journey to the airport. Thank you.— Vistara (@airvistara) May 1, 2024
SpiceJet urged passengers to check their flight status, warning of possible disruptions due to thunderstorms and rain in Dubai.
#WeatherUpdate: Due to bad weather (thunderstorms with rain) in Dubai (DXB), all departures/arrivals and their consequential flights may get affected. Passengers are requested to keep a check on their flight status via https://t.co/VkU7yLjZly.— SpiceJet (@flyspicejet) May 2, 2024
Passengers departing from Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) are advised to check their flight status, arrive early for security checks, plan their route using traffic apps, and utilize the Dubai Metro when possible.
Metro services will be extended until five a.m. on Friday due to the predicted bad weather. Emirates, Dubai’s main airline, has issued similar warnings, urging travelers to account for possible delays caused by thunderstorms on Thursday.
Flydubai suggests travelers leave early and update their contact details for flight updates. The National Center for Meteorology predicts rain showers and thunderstorms until early Friday, with hail possible in coastal and western areas. Authorities assure they’re prepared to minimize disruptions after severe rainfall in April.
