FlyDubai Resumes Full Flight Schedule at Dubai International Airport

FlyDubai has resumed its full flight schedule from terminals two and three at Dubai International Airport, according to a statement from the airline. The resumption of flights comes after heavy rainfall and flooding caused significant disruptions at the airport earlier this week.

Dubai International Airport faced a backlog of baggage due to resource constraints following 1,244 flight cancellations since the heavy rains hit Dubai on Tuesday. The airport temporarily limited the number of inbound flights until 4 am to manage the situation. "Dubai Airports is providing assistance and amenities to affected passengers, but road blockages have caused delays," the statement said.

The record-setting rains in the United Arab Emirates resulted in the deaths of at least three people and caused chaos in the region, with cars being submerged in water and flights being delayed or canceled. The downpour began late on Monday and by the end of Tuesday, more than 142mm of rainfall had soaked the desert city, surpassing the average annual rainfall of 94.7mm.

Why this matters: The flooding and subsequent disruptions at Dubai International Airport, the world's busiest for international travel, highlight the vulnerability of critical infrastructure to extreme weather events. As climate change intensifies, the frequency and severity of such events are expected to increase, underscoring the need for resilient systems and effective disaster management strategies.

FlyDubai's teams are working to minimize disruption to passengers' travel plans, and the airline has thanked passengers for their patience and understanding. Other airlines, including Emirates, Etihad Airways, and Air Arabia, have also resumed scheduled operations after the challenging weather conditions in the UAE. Dubai Airports has urged passengers to use the Dubai Metro to avoid congestion on the roads and to plan additional time to reach the airport.

Key Takeaways

• FlyDubai resumes full flight schedule after heavy rain disruptions at Dubai airport.
• Dubai airport faced baggage backlog due to 1,244 flight cancellations from heavy rains.
• Record-setting rains in UAE resulted in 3 deaths and caused chaos, including submerged cars.
• Flooding highlights vulnerability of critical infrastructure to extreme weather events.
• Other airlines, including Emirates and Etihad, have also resumed scheduled operations.