Scottish flights delayed by severe flooding in the Middle East’s main financial centre

Scottish travellers planning a trip to or from Dubai have been hit with severe delays as authorities struggle to cope with the heaviest rains ever to hit the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Passengers on a flight due to leave Dubai for Glasgow this morning have been told they would not receive an update until almost midnight as to whether their flight would run.

Meanwhile, yesterday’s flight from Glasgow to Dubai, due to leave at 2.45pm, was delayed.

In total, Emirates has cancelled seven flights between the airport and the UK, with British Airways diverting or axing four.

A message on the Dubai Airport departures board says information about this morning’s flight will be issued at 11.50pm, as to whether the flight would leave or not. Carrier Emirates has suspended check-ins for all flights from Dubai until midnight. Yesterday’s flight from Dubai to Scotland left in the afternoon, more than five hours late.

Dubai Airport told passengers yesterday: “We advise you not to come to the airport, unless absolutely necessary.” Emirates, which has its main base in Dubai, said: "Emirates is suspending check-in for passengers departing @DXB from 8am on 17 April until midnight, due to operational challenges caused by bad weather and road conditions.

Passengers arriving in Dubai and already in transit will continue to be processed for their flights. Customers can expect delays to departures and arrivals, and are advised to check the latest flight schedules on https://emirat.es/flightstatus."

By the end of Tuesday, more than 142mm of rain had soaked Dubai over 24 hours. An average year sees 94.7mm of rain at Dubai International Airport. Passengers struggled to reach terminals through the floodwater.

Scotland has one direct flight a day to Dubai, from Glasgow. The daily flight, operated by Emirates, leaves at 2.35pm and takes seven hours, ten minutes. The return flight leaves Dubai at 7.05am.

The Tuesday Glasgow flight, due to land at 1.05am Dubai time, which is three hours ahead, landed in Dubai, although more than three hours late.