Flights from UAE operating as scheduled

Etihad has cancelled flights to Hong Kong and Emirates Manila flight faces minor delay

UAE-based airlines said yesterday their flights to the United States were operating as scheduled, but that they were monitoring the weather situation there. Emirates airline and Etihad Airways told

Gulf News their flights to the US are so far unaffected by Hurricane Florence. The UAE Embassy in Washington earlier this week alerted Emiratis living on the east coast to exercise caution. “UAE citizens in Virginia, North and South Carolina areas were urged to stay tuned to local news, call 911 for emergencies, and contact the UAE embassy at +97180044444 for assistance.”

UAE airlines said yesterday their flights to the US and the Philippines are operating as scheduled, and that they were monitoring the weather situations in those countries.

Emirates and Etihad Airways told Gulf News flights to the US are so far unaffected by the hurricane looming on the country’s East Coast. As for flights to the Philippines, Emirates said there will be “one minor delay” by a Manila flight. Etihad has cancelled flights to and from Hong Kong.

The comments come as the US East Coast, specifically North and South Carolina, prepares to face a Category 2 hurricane that forecasters warned would trigger life-threatening flooding. Federal and state officials appealed to residents of the two states to get out of the path of Hurricane Florence, with North Carolina’s Governor Roy Cooper saying the storm will “bring destruction” and that “catastrophic effects will be felt.”

The UAE Embassy in Washington earlier last week alerted Emiratis living on the East Coast to exercise caution ahead of Hurricane Florence. “UAE citizens in Virginia, North and South Carolina areas, Hurricane Florence may become a category 4 storm. Stay tuned to your local news for safety instructions, call 911 for emergencies, and contact the UAE embassy at +97180044444 for further assistance,” the embassy said on Twitter.

Philippines wary

Elsewhere, the Philippines is also bracing for a powerful typhoon Mangkhut that is expected to bring 274km/h winds to the northern part of the country.

Etihad Airways said it has cancelled flights to and from Hong Kong today and tomorrow. Etihad’s flight EY834 from Abu Dhabi to Hong Kong on September 15 has been cancelled, as has the EY33 inbound flight from Hong Kong to Abu Dhabi tomorrow, a spokesperson confirmed.

Emirates said yesterday that while there are no flight cancellations at the moment, they will continue to monitor the situation.