DUBAI// Emirates will resume flights to the east coast of the United States from tomorrow as the weather begins to improve in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.
“Due to the improvement of weather conditions in the eastern part of the United State, all Emirates’ flights to and from New York will operate as per the schedule commencing November 1,” said a statement on the airline’s website.
The airline cancelled four flights between Dubai and New York that were scheduled for today as the US recovers from the storm.
A total of 12 flights have been scrapped by Emirates to and from New York since Monday. Flights EK203 and EK201 from Dubai International Airport to New York John F. Kennedy International Airport and EK204 and EK202 on the return journey have been grounded.
“Emirates apologises for any inconvenience caused to its customers, however the safety of our passengers and crew is of the highest priority and will not be compromised,” said a statement on the Emirates website.
Etihad Airways said that the extreme weather conditions forced it to cancel two flights yesterday - EY2101 from Abu Dhabi to New York and EY2100 from New York.
Both flights were initially delayed for 16 and 12 hours respectively.
“A resumption of our daily return service to and from New York on Wednesday, 31 October, is expected, pending airport infrastructure repairs and the re-opening of JFK airport,” said an Etihad statement.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said some planes were allowed to land at JFK Airport last night in preparation of the airport reopening today.
“JFK will be open tomorrow, Wednesday, October 31 at 7:00 a.m. However, carriers will be providing limited service,” it said in an update on its website.
The US has already cancelled more than 18,000 flights and the number is expected to increase.
Emirates and Etihad say they will continue to monitor the situation and are advising passengers to check for updates on www.emirates.com and www.etihadairways.com