Travellers in the UAE are continuing to face severe disruptions after record-breaking storms battered the country on Monday and Tuesday.
Emirates Airline has resumed check-in for some flights at Dubai Airport, but advised travellers not to go to the world's busiest air hub unless their flight has been confirmed.
The move came after the airline cancelled check-in for all Dubai passengers until 9am on Thursday due to severely restricted access because of flooding.
“Customers departing Dubai are requested to head to the airport only if they hold a confirmed flight booking, and only after 9am on April 18,” an airline representative told The National.
“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.”
On Wednesday, Dubai International Airports advised travellers not to go to the airport “unless absolutely necessary”, with flights continuing to be delayed and diverted.
The same message is being pushed by flydubai. “Passengers are advised to only make their way to Dubai International (DXB) after confirming that their flight will operate,” a representative from the airline said.
Flydubai has extended a flight cancellation policy implemented on Monday. The Dubai airline resumed partial operations at 10am on Wednesday, with more flights set to resume from Terminal 2 at 8pm. From Terminal 3, the airline will resume flights after midnight.
“Due to the impact of the severe weather in the UAE on our operations and the continuing challenging road conditions, there have been further flight cancellations,” said an airline representative. “We are working very hard to restore our operating schedule and minimise the disruption to our passengers’ travel itineraries to get them to their final destination safely. We apologise for the inconvenience caused as a result of the adverse weather.”
Dubai International Airport has suspended operations at Terminal 2 and some operations at Terminal 1. A representative for the airport authority said it would “take some time until normal operations resume”.
Air Arabia – which operates mostly from Sharjah International Airport – has also advised passengers that flights are being cancelled or rescheduled.
Have the storms also affected Abu Dhabi's airport?
In Abu Dhabi, the situation is better, but travellers flying from Zayed International Airport could still face possible delays and cancellations.
“Etihad Airways flights are operating as usual after the adverse weather witnessed yesterday, although some might still be subject to minor delays,” a representative from the airline told The National. “Guests are still required to allow plenty of time to travel to the airport, and to check etihad.com to check the status of their flight.”
It was business as usual at the capital's airport on Wednesday morning, with no major delays reported on departure boards and passengers able to easily check in for flights. The airport is also accepting flights that have been diverted from Dubai.
“Within the last 24 hours, 21 flights, including one freighter and the remaining being passenger flights, were diverted from Dubai International Airport to Zayed International Airport,” a representative for Abu Dhabi Airports told The National on Wednesday.
Can passengers still check in for an Emirates flight?
Passengers arriving in Dubai with Emirates who are already in transit will continue to be processed for their flights.
This means that passengers can still check in for Emirates flights that are only connecting in Dubai. Travellers who have Dubai as a final destination face delays and disruption to travel plans.
What to do if your flight has been cancelled?
Affected customers are advised to contact the airline that they are flying with, or the travel agent that they booked flights through. Different airlines have different policies in place for flights but travellers should be able to rebook their flights or claim a full refund.
Passengers trying to contact Dubai Airports for the latest updates are unlikely to be able to do so on the phone as the airport has reported technical problems. Instead, travellers can WhatsApp the airport authority on +971 422 45555; use live chat on the Dubai Airports website; or reach out to the authority on social media.
Airlines are expected to provide travellers with refreshments when flights are delayed. If flights are cancelled overnight, it depends on the airline's policy whether or not they provide accommodation, but most major airlines will offer travellers lodging.
Dubai Airport has compiled answers to some common traveller questions on X.
Travel insurance policies also typically cover emergency accommodation costs associated with flight delays and disruption; however, travellers may need to arrange and pay for these up front, then reclaim costs from their insurer.
In Dubai airport, food and refreshments are being distributed but the airport is facing supply challenges. By Thursday morning, food had been distributed across Terminal 1, with more on the way. Food was being handed out in Terminal 2 and restaurants in Terminal 3 were open and accepting meal vouchers that passengers have been given.
Airport hotels in Dubai are full – where can travellers stay instead?
With many travellers stranded in Dubai, airport hotels are experiencing high capacity.
The Holiday Inn Express Dubai Airport is fully booked, as is the Premier Inn Dubai International Airport Hotel, which suffered minor storm damage.
“The nearest hotel to the airport that still has availability is Premier Inn Dubai Dragon Mart,” a spokesperson for the hotel brand told The National.
Several areas around the airport are waterlogged or obstructed, so travellers looking to book a hotel would be advised to opt for a property on the airport side of town, but not so close to be caught up in flooding and the aftermath of the storms.
Reasonably priced options with room availability at the time of writing include the Swissotel Al Ghurair Dubai and Ramada by Wyndham Dubai Deira, both of which are close to a metro station. Al Jaddaf Rotana also has rooms available and is located within a short drive of the airport, traffic permitting.
Is public transport in operation at Dubai International Airport?
Travellers can also use the Dubai Metro to arrive at or leave the airport. The Red Line operates from Dubai International Airport and the city's Roads and Transport Authority confirmed on Wednesday that it is operational.
Is it possible to drive to Dubai International Airport?
The roads getting to and from the airport are exceptionally busy and drivers should expect major delays when making the journey. However, access is possible, and easiest in a 4x4 vehicle and by following diversions and using Google Maps or Waze for updates on road closures.
If you have friends or family stranded at the airport – picking them up might be a better option than asking them to take taxis or use ride-sharing cars as these are in very short supply with some people waiting hours to leave.
RESULT
Huddersfield Town 2 Manchester United 1
Huddersfield: Mooy (28'), Depoitre (33')
Manchester United: Rashford (78')
Man of the Match: Aaron Mooy (Huddersfield Town)
The Settlers
Director: Louis Theroux
Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz
Rating: 5/5
The specs: Lamborghini Aventador SVJ
Price, base: Dh1,731,672
Engine: 6.5-litre V12
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 770hp @ 8,500rpm
Torque: 720Nm @ 6,750rpm
Fuel economy: 19.6L / 100km
Farage on Muslim Brotherhood
Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister.
"We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know.
“All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.”
It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins.
Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Medicus AI
Started: 2016
Founder(s): Dr Baher Al Hakim, Dr Nadine Nehme and Makram Saleh
Based: Vienna, Austria; started in Dubai
Sector: Health Tech
Staff: 119
Funding: €7.7 million (Dh31m)
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
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Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
Singham Again
Director: Rohit Shetty
Stars: Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Deepika Padukone
Rating: 3/5
Company%20Profile
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Cracks in the Wall
Ben White, Pluto Press
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 178hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 280Nm at 1,350-4,200rpm
Transmission: seven-speed dual-clutch auto
Price: from Dh209,000
On sale: now
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%3Cp%3EAriana%E2%80%99s%20Persian%20Kitchen%3Cbr%3EDinner%20by%20Heston%20Blumenthal%3Cbr%3EEstiatorio%20Milos%3Cbr%3EHouse%20of%20Desserts%3Cbr%3EJaleo%20by%20Jose%20Andres%3Cbr%3ELa%20Mar%3Cbr%3ELing%20Ling%3Cbr%3ELittle%20Venice%20Cake%20Company%3Cbr%3EMalibu%2090265%3Cbr%3ENobu%20by%20the%20Beach%3Cbr%3EResonance%20by%20Heston%20Blumenthal%3Cbr%3EThe%20Royal%20Tearoom%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The Buckingham Murders
Starring: Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ash Tandon, Prabhleen Sandhu
Director: Hansal Mehta
Rating: 4 / 5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Rafael Nadal's record at the MWTC
2009 Finalist
2010 Champion
Jan 2011 Champion
Dec 2011 Semi-finalist
Dec 2012 Did not play
Dec 2013 Semi-finalist
2015 Semi-finalist
Jan 2016 Champion
Dec 2016 Champion
2017 Did not play
The story of Edge
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, established Edge in 2019.
It brought together 25 state-owned and independent companies specialising in weapons systems, cyber protection and electronic warfare.
Edge has an annual revenue of $5 billion and employs more than 12,000 people.
Some of the companies include Nimr, a maker of armoured vehicles, Caracal, which manufactures guns and ammunitions company, Lahab
11 cabbie-recommended restaurants and dishes to try in Abu Dhabi
Iqbal Restaurant behind Wendy’s on Hamdan Street for the chicken karahi (Dh14)
Pathemari in Navy Gate for prawn biryani (from Dh12 to Dh35)
Abu Al Nasar near Abu Dhabi Mall, for biryani (from Dh12 to Dh20)
Bonna Annee at Navy Gate for Ethiopian food (the Bonna Annee special costs Dh42 and comes with a mix of six house stews – key wet, minchet abesh, kekel, meser be sega, tibs fir fir and shiro).
Al Habasha in Tanker Mai for Ethiopian food (tibs, a hearty stew with meat, is a popular dish; here it costs Dh36.75 for lamb and beef versions)
Himalayan Restaurant in Mussaffa for Nepalese (the momos and chowmein noodles are best-selling items, and go for between Dh14 and Dh20)
Makalu in Mussaffa for Nepalese (get the chicken curry or chicken fry for Dh11)
Al Shaheen Cafeteria near Guardian Towers for a quick morning bite, especially the egg sandwich in paratha (Dh3.50)
Pinky Food Restaurant in Tanker Mai for tilapia
Tasty Zone for Nepalese-style noodles (Dh15)
Ibrahimi for Pakistani food (a quarter chicken tikka with roti costs Dh16)
GIANT REVIEW
Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan
Director: Athale
Rating: 4/5
HIJRA
Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy
Director: Shahad Ameen
Rating: 3/5
DSC Eagles 23 Dubai Hurricanes 36
Eagles
Tries: Bright, O’Driscoll
Cons: Carey 2
Pens: Carey 3
Hurricanes
Tries: Knight 2, Lewis, Finck, Powell, Perry
Cons: Powell 3
How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
- Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
- Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
- Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
- Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
- Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
- Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
