Unprecedented flooding, the worst in nearly 75 years, has led to significant disruptions at Dubai International Airport, the world’s second-busiest airport, urging travelers to steer clear unless absolutely necessary. Tuesday saw the United Arab Emirates inundated with 256 millimeters (approximately 10 inches) of rain, according to the National Center of Meteorology, causing extensive highway flooding and the closure of schools. In nearby Oman, recent heavy rains have resulted in at least 18 fatalities, per local authorities.
Dubai Airport advised travelers to avoid the airport on Wednesday, indicating a prolonged period before normal operations resume. Emirates, the premier long-haul airline globally, paused check-in for flights departing from Dubai from early Wednesday until midnight. However, passengers already at the airport or arriving via connecting flights will be processed as scheduled.
FlightRadar24 data shows that approximately 540 flights have been canceled, and 420 arrivals have been affected since the onset of the floods. Additionally, several flights have been diverted to nearby airports, including 21 to Abu Dhabi Airport within the last day.
Dubai’s prominence as a key aviation hub, bridging Europe and Asia, has grown over the past 30 years. Last year, it served nearly 87 million passengers, securing its position as the second busiest airport in terms of passenger traffic globally, just behind Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
The current cancellations at Dubai’s main airport are part of broader disruptions in Middle Eastern air travel amid escalating regional tensions. Following Iran’s recent missile and drone attacks on Israel, temporary airspace closures over Jordan, Iraq, and Lebanon forced airlines to adjust operations. Post-attack, several carriers have suspended or redirected flights to Israel.
In the wake of Iran’s Saturday attacks, some airlines, including Air France, continue to avoid Iranian and Iraqi airspace. Malaysia Airlines, having previously experienced a tragic loss due to a missile strike in 2014, announced a halt on cargo transport on its London route to facilitate necessary rerouting until the end of the month.
