UAE flights unaffected by Europe’s Storm Katie



ABU DHABI // Flights operated by local carriers have yet to be affected by a storm battering the UK and western France.

Though numerous disruptions have been reported at Gatwick and Heathrow airports, spokesmen from Emirates and Etihad said their operations had not been hit today.

Four international flights were unable to land early on Monday due to winds from Storm Katie, which reached speeds as high as 168kph on exposed areas of the south coast, according to the UK’s Met Office.

Winds of 140kph were also recorded on the Isle of Wight, off the southern coast of England, with gusts of 124kph hitting the west coast of the British mainland.

Several highway bridges were closed as a precaution. Wind warnings were issued for London and parts of south-eastern England. There was heavy rain in part of northern England and Wales.

In Brittany, in western France, 35,000 homes lost power because of the storm, according to officials.

newsdesk@thenational.ae

If you go...

Flying
There is no simple way to get to Punta Arenas from the UAE, with flights from Dubai and Abu Dhabi requiring at least two connections to reach this part of Patagonia. Flights start from about Dh6,250.

Touring
Chile Nativo offers the amended Los Dientes trek with expert guides and porters who are met in Puerto Williams on Isla Navarino. The trip starts and ends in Punta Arenas and lasts for six days in total. Prices start from Dh8,795.