Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Couple caught in airport flood hell
A MONIFIETH couple say their holiday almost descended into a “riot” after they were stranded in an airport for nearly a day during the Dubai floods.
Margaret Mcarthur, 73, and husband Derek, 76, were hoping for the perfect holiday when they left Glasgow on April 15.
The couple spent two nights in Dubai and were then due to fly to Tokyo for a cruise.
But their trip was thrown into chaos when the Emirati city was battered with torrential rain and flooding, just as they were due to head for Japan.
Margaret said: “The day after we arrived was very heavy rain, thunder and lightning and the sky was black.
“It was so strange as we have been to Dubai many times.
“Roads and shops were flooded and it was a bit of a disaster area, as they do not have proper drainage to cope with the flooding.”
When they arrived at the airport, the couple say they were initially sent a text saying there was a delay of a couple of hours and they enjoyed a free coffee.
But the delay got longer and they ended up stranded in the airport for 23 hours.
Margaret said: “Upstairs, where we eventually went for something to eat after 13 hours, was a disaster area.
“There were people on the floor, there was not enough seating and children were upset.
“There were no Emirates staff at all, only two people sat at a desk and we were told by one person it had taken five to seven hours to talk to them.”
Margaret says it took a “near riot” for staff to open duty free allowing passengers to buy snacks.
Eventually, Emirates cancelled their flight.
The couple have since emailed Emirates to complain about their experience.
Margaret added: “Their treatment of passengers has been a disgrace.”
An Emirates spokesperson said: “The unprecedented storm which hit Dubai on April 16 had a significant impact on Emirates services, and we acknowledge and understand the frustration of our customers whose travel plans were impacted by the weather.
“Emirates apologises for the inconvenience caused, and our customer care team will contact the passengers directly.”