Dubai airport set to return to full schedule after disruption caused by rain

Dubai International Airport is set to return to normal operations on Friday after this week’s storms caused severe disruption.

Flights were cancelled, delayed and, in some cases, diverted to other airports after record rainfall resulted in flooding on the airport’s runways.

But speaking on Thursday, Majed Al Joker, chief operating officer of Dubai Airports, gave a 24-hour timeframe for a return to full capacity and regular schedule, state news agency Wam reported.

“Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 have already begun gradual normalisation, resulting in smoother movement,” Mr Al Joker said.

“The airport’s response and emergency teams, various departments and strategic partners, and airlines have worked extensively to co-ordinate efforts to return to normal on the one hand, and to support and assist affected passengers and guests on the other.”

Public and private organisations were working hard to improve the situation at the airport, Mr Al Joker added.

He commended “the dedicated staff for their tireless work in ensuring guest comfort and safety, expressing gratitude for travellers’ understanding during this period”.

More than 1,200 flights were cancelled over two days at Dubai International Airport as a result of the storms, officials said.

On Thursday, the airport announced it was again receiving inbound flights at Terminal 1, while Emirates and flydubai reopened check-in for passengers at Terminal 3.

At the beginning of the week, the country experienced its heaviest rainfall since records began 75 years ago, with more than 250mm of rain falling in some parts of the UAE in less than 24 hours.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, said the safety of residents, citizens and visitors was of the “utmost priority”.

In a social media post on Thursday, Sheikh Hamdan

said he had held a meeting with government officials to prepare comprehensive plans to respond to natural crises.

“We closely monitored updates and emphasised that the safety of all citizens, residents, and visitors is our utmost priority,” he said.

“Dubai’s resilience grows with every challenge, ensuring we continuously adapt, improve and progress for the sake of our people’s safety.”

Although the extreme weather had brought much of the country to a standstill, there were strong signs of recovery on Thursday.

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority said the emirate’s taxis and public buses were back in operation on Thursday afternoon.

However, all intercity bus services between Dubai and other emirates remained suspended until further notice.

Also on Thursday, key stretches of road reopened across Dubai, including parts of Sheikh Zayed Road, Oud Metha Road, Emirates Road, Jebel Ali to Lehbab Road, Al Qudra Road, Al Khail Road and Al Wasl Road.

The Roads and Transport Authority said the route from the Trade Centre roundabout to Al Maktoum Airport Road, towards Abu Dhabi, was open to traffic.

The Dubai Metro service was fully operational again on some Red and Green routes, while bus services were operating on all other affected routes, officials said.

Sharjah Airport resumed operations after the heavy storm swept through the emirate causing major disruption to travel.

The airport, which is home to budget airline Air Arabia, said travellers should aim to verify their flight details with the airlines, Wam reported. Passengers were advised to travel to the airport only if they have a confirmed booking.

Air Arabia resumed scheduled flights from Sharjah at 4am on Thursday.

One businessman in Sharjah estimated the flood had caused him losses in excess of Dh1.7 million.

“The water just kept rising and, despite all my efforts with barriers and sandbags, it surged over the sidewalk and shattered our store’s glass facade,” said Abdel Fattah Mahmoud, from Jordan, owner of Dandana Musical Instruments Establishment.

His store and warehouse, established in 1996, were flooded, with the water destroying hundreds of valuable musical instruments.

He described the chaos as rainwater mixed with sewage spread through his store, ruining prized instruments, including 100 pianos with a combined value of Dh700,000.

“I called every possible number, trying to reach the municipality through landlines, WhatsApp and toll-free numbers but either no one answered or the lines were busy,” he told