On Tuesday 16 April 2024, Dubai International Airport (DXB)was subject to severe weather conditions. Heavy rainfall caused flooding at runways and terminal entryways, making it unsafe for flights to operate and for people to enter the airport. Consequently, flights have been cancelled and rescheduled, with some flights diverting to nearby airports. Many passengers have been left stranded at the airport.
Dubai International Airport forced to divert flights after torrential downpour causes the runway to look like an ocean.
Dubai saw more rainfall in one day than they see on average for an entire year, nearly 5 inches.
People have been asked to stay indoors today. pic.twitter.com/IbndGzE1UC
— Shuja ul haq (@ShujaUH) April 17, 2024
State-run news agency, WAM, called the rain on Tuesday “a historic weather event” that surpassed “anything documented since the start of data collection in 1949.”
Rain also impacted Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Oman. In Oman, 18 people have been killed. The intensity was the highest in the UAE; Dubai receives about 3.7 inches of rain in a year, but within a day it received 5.7 inches.
Surrounding roads remain gridlocked due to overcrowding and people trying to reach the airport. On Wednesday 17 April, about 300 flights were cancelled and hundreds more were delayed.
Some inbound flights have resumed on Thursday 18 April, but on the whole Dubai International Airport, which served 80 million people last year and is the second-busiest airport in the world, is struggling to function.
Dubai Airport’s CEO, Paul Griffiths, said: “It remains an incredibly challenging time. In living memory, I don’t think anyone has ever seen conditions like it.” As of publication, he has stated that the airfield needed at least another 24 hours to resume operations close to its usual schedule.
The following is taken from the airport’s press room by a Dubai Airports spokesperson. They make the statement on Thursday April 18 at 12:34:
Dubai Airports is endeavouring to do its best to support passengers at Dubai International (DXB) impacted by travel delays due to the recent unprecedented weather conditions the UAE experienced. This is the heaviest rainfall the UAE received in 75 years and we’re doing all we can to get operations back to normal. However, due to the ongoing disruption, DXB is temporarily limiting the number of inbound flights until 04:00, 19 April 2024. Departures will continue to operate.
DXB is facing a backlog of baggage due to resource constraints. Passengers who reach their final destination without their baggage should contact the airport airline representative or contact their airline call centre. We have been providing necessary assistance and amenities to affected guests but due to road blockages, it’s taken longer than we would have liked.
We know how frustrating cancellations, disruptions and delays are to travel plans and our teams are working around the clock to help our guests. Our passenger’s safety and wellbeing is our primary concern and we thank them for their patience.
Please visit Dubai Airport’s site for further information: https://www.dubaiairports.ae/corporate