Multiple flights were disrupted at Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Doha Hamad Airport due to adverse weather in the Middle East.
Heavy rain and thunderstorms early on Friday caused significant flight disruptions. DXB is one of the world’s busiest airports and a key global transit hub.
“As of 10 am UAE time (06:00 GMT), 13 inbound flights were diverted to neighbouring airports while six outbound flights were cancelled,” said a spokesperson referring to operations at Dubai International (DXB).
Multiple Flights cancelled/delayed at Dubai intl. airport after heavy rain and thunderstorms.
🎥Arab_Storms pic.twitter.com/BVvuZQ62Cp
— FL360aero (@fl360aero) November 18, 2023
The spokesperson added that Dubai Airports is working closely with airlines, control authorities, and other service partners at DXB to minimize any inconvenience to our customers.
Tens of thousands of passengers were also affected at Doha airport after a severe thunderstorm stopped operations from 10.25 pm to midnight on Thursday night.
According to reports, as least 18 inbound flights were diverted overnight to seven different airports including to Riyadh.
https://twitter.com/mikesx398/status/1725404224240926769?s=46&t=aUd4MIxuzbWWLheV45GWBA
From 9.45 pm local time on Thursday evening to 5.15 am on Friday morning, not a single flight departed on time. Around 120 outbound flights were held up at Doha Airport.
Doha is second only to DXB among airports in the Middle East in terms of passenger numbers.