26 flights to Pakistan from Dubai cancelled due to rain

ISLAMABAD: The world’s busiest air hub for international passengers Dubai International Airport has halted its operations in the chaos caused by the storm.

Dubai, the Middle East’s financial centre, has been paralysed by the torrential rain that caused floods around the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, and left 18 dead in Oman on Sunday and Monday.

Twenty six flights to Pakistan from Dubai have also been cancelled, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded.

Pakistan International Airline’s (PIA) Lahore to Dubai flight PK-203; Dubai to Lahore flight PK-204, and Lahore to Sharjah flight PK-185 had to be cancelled.

Similarly, SereneAir’s flight from Lahore to Dubai ER-1723 was delayed by more than 10 hours, while ER-1724 will now reach Lahore from Dubai tomorrow morning after a delay of nine hours.

Unusual weather conditions grip UAE, Oman, and Bahrain

Emirates flight EK-622, from Dubai to Lahore, was delayed by three and a half hours, while last night Lahore-Dubai flight EK-623 was also delayed by four hours.  

Likewise, Airblue’s Lahore to Dubai flight, PA-416 was also delayed, while Dubai to Lahore flight PA-411 was delayed by three and a half hours.

“Due to the continued exceptional weather event currently being experienced in the UAE, Dubai International is temporarily diverting inbound flights due to arrive this evening… until the inclement situation improves,” a Dubai Airports spokesperson said.

Departures will continue, said the spokesperson, who earlier warned that roads around the airport have suffered major flooding and urged passengers to use public transport.