UAE weather live: Emirates hit by severe storms
Dubai International Airport on Thursday announced it was welcoming inbound flights at Terminal 1 after widespread disruption to services caused by record rainfall in the Emirates.
The airport said further flight delays were expected, however, as mammoth clean-up operations gather pace.
More than 1,200 flights were cancelled over two days at Dubai International Airport as a result of this week's adverse weather, officials said on Thursday.
Passengers were urged not to travel to the airport unless “absolutely necessary” on Wednesday morning due to surrounding roads being blocked and flooded.
"We have now resumed arriving flights of airlines operating out of Terminal 1," the airport said shortly before 4am.
"Flights continue to be delayed and disrupted, so we urge you to only come to Terminal 1 if you have a confirmed booking. Please contact your airline for the latest information on your flight status."
Terminal 1 serves more than 50 international airlines and has the capacity to accommodate up to 20 million passengers a year, the airport states.
Emirates reinstates check-in service
Meanwhile, Emirates airline announced that it had reopened check-in services for flights departing Dubai from 9am on Thursday morning.
Emirates operates out of Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport.
"Customers departing Dubai can now check in for their flights. Please make your way to the airport only if you have a confirmed flight booking, as the airport remains congested," Emirates wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Emirates apologised to those impacted by the weather-related delays and said it was working to return to full operations,
"Emirates extends our sincerest apologies to impacted customers who have experienced delays and disruption to their travel plans caused by bad weather and road conditions.
"We appreciate how difficult it is for everyone affected. While some customers have been able to return home or reach their destination, we are aware that many are still waiting to get on flights.
"Our teams are working hard to restore our scheduled operations, as well as secure accommodation and other amenities for affected customers at the airport."
Flydubai has also reinstated its check-in services as of Thursday at both Terminal 2 and 3.
Dubai Airport urged travellers only to arrive at the terminal if they have a booking.
"Check-in for Emirates and flydubai has reopened at Terminal 3. There is a high volume of guests in the check-in area so, please only come to the terminal if you have a departure confirmation from your airline," the airport stated on social media.
Airport faced 'incredible challenge'
Chief executive Paul Griffiths said the hub's biggest challenge is flooding and backlog of aircraft.
“We're having to operate a strict one-in-one-out philosophy because there's nowhere to park these aircraft as they are arriving and departing,” he said on Dubai Eye on Wednesday.
Dubai World Central is facing similar challenges after flights from Dubai International were diverted there, he said.
“Some airlines are experiencing problems with crew duty hours and trying to get aircraft mobilised,” he added.
Mr Griffiths praised the efforts of emergency services and thanked Dubai's Road and Transports Authority for their help in getting operations back to normal.
“It remains an incredibly challenging time. In living memory, I don't think anyone has ever seen conditions like it,” he said.
UAE hit by severe storms - in pictures
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Persistent flooding along the D65 exit from Sheikh Zayed Road in April 16, 2024, leading into Al Quoz. Antonie Robertson / The National -
Delays took place as work continued to clear roads of excess water. Antonie Robertson / The National -
Many drivers had no choice but to abandon their waterlogged vehicles and take their chances on foot due to the record rainfall. Antonie Robertson / The National -
The UAE was hit by unprecedented flooding on April 16, 2024, than it would expect to receive in more than a year, official figures revealed. Antonie Robertson / The National -
Standing water is removed in Dubai after a major storm. Antonie Robertson / The National -
Many cars were abandoned in Dubai due to the flooding. Antonie Robertson / The National -
There was significant damage in parts of Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National -
The aftermath of heavy flooding in Dubai, with debris and abandoned cars on the street. Antonie Robertson / The National -
Some roads remained waterlogged in parts of Dubai after the storm. Antonie Robertson / The National -
Children play with their bicycles along a waterlogged street in Dubai's Al Furjan district. Pawan Singh / The National -
Workers cut a tree uprooted by heavy rains on Tuesday in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National -
Water is drained from a flooded road in Al Furjan after the storm. Pawan Singh / The National -
A flooded street in Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi, after the rain. Victor Besa / The National -
Heavy rain in Dubai made parts of Sheikh Zayed Road impassable. Antonie Robertson/The National -
The storm left cars marooned on flooded streets. Antonie Robertson/ The National -
Many areas became impassable due to the flooding. Antonie Robertson / The National -
Drivers abandoned their cars at the side of roads amid high floodwaters. Antonie Robertson/ The National -
People attempt to navigate the floodwaters in Dubai. Antonie Robertson/The National -
A flooded section of road near Sheikh Zayed motorway after heavy rain. Antonie Robertson / The National -
People in Dubai walk from their cars after high floodwaters made the road impassable. Antonie Robertson / The National -
A partially submerged car following the heavy rain. Antonie Robertson/The National -
Recovery work gets under way after the rain in central Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National -
Large puddles and areas of water in Al Bandar in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National -
Work begins after the rain in central Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National -
Recovery work gets under way in Khalifa City in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National -
Some minor damage in Khalifa City in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National -
A man washes away debris after the rain in Khalifa City in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National -
Work gets under way after heavy rain hit Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National -
Passengers check flight information on screens at the Dubai International Airport. AFP -
A worker cuts through a downed tree with a chainsaw after a major storm in Dubai. AP -
A car drives through floodwaters in Dubai. AP
