Dubai: Dubai Airports is making impressive progress in restoring and returning operations to normal at Dubai International Airport (DXB) following the UAE’s most significant rainfall in 75 years.
Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths reported that DXB has resumed its regular flight schedule and is already running about 1,400 flight movements daily, ahead of its recovery timetable, as of yesterday.
“With roads in and around the airport 100 percent clear of water accumulation, our manpower, logistics and facilities are operating as usual again. To have the airport back up and running is no small feat. Also, 2,155 flights were canceled, and 115 were diverted. We had to work closely with our airline partners and service providers to rework schedules, boost manpower and look after all those who had been disrupted,” Griffiths remarked.
“I’m continuously amazed by the unwavering dedication of our Dubai Airports employees, airline partners, government agencies, commercial partners and service partners. It has been the most challenging adverse weather event we’ve had to navigate, and our people and partners worked tirelessly to keep the operation running and to assist our guests,” Griffiths added.
Thirty-one aircraft were rerouted to Dubai World Central (DWC), he continued, and by April 19th, every passenger at the airport had received the necessary assistance to carry out their remaining travel arrangements.
Throughout the disruption, guest welfare was the top priority. Despite some initial difficulties with supply transportation owing to road closures near DXB and DWC, over 75,000 meal packs were delivered to both airports.
To minimize unnecessary traffic and promote more efficient operations, visitors should arrive at their terminal no more than three hours before the departure time of their aircraft as regular operations resume.