DUBAI- The CEO of Dubai Airports (DXB) expressed on Friday (April 19, 2024) his expectation for services to return to “close to normality” within 24 hours following unprecedented flooding at the major transit hub.
The United Arab Emirates has been grappling with floods triggered by the heaviest rainfall recorded in the desert, causing substantial disruptions to airlines, banks, and transport links.
Dubai Airport Flooding
Paul Griffiths, speaking to CNBC’s “Capital Connection” on Friday, remarked, “We’ve never witnessed anything of this magnitude.”
“We anticipate a considerable improvement in the next 24 hours, moving back towards a schedule that closely resembles normality,” he added.
The CEO of the airport stated that it was premature to quantify the financial ramifications of the disruptions stemming from the flooding that commenced on Tuesday. Nevertheless, he affirmed that the company responsible for Dubai International Airport had sanctioned emergency budgets to supply food and water to stranded passengers. He also highlighted that all retail establishments were now operating as usual.
“Our primary focus is on operational efforts, so we haven’t begun to assess the financial impact. Our utmost priority is ensuring the well-being of our customers,” he remarked.
Dubai International, one of the world’s busiest airports and a crucial entry point to the Middle East, has recently experienced turmoil, with thousands of travelers left frustrated and stranded in terminals following flight suspensions.
Collaborating with Airlines
Some flights resumed on Thursday, and Griffiths mentioned that the airport was collaborating closely with airlines to address the backlog and enhance flow rates. However, he acknowledged that restrictions remained in place, particularly concerning arrivals.
On Friday, Dubai Airport announced that it would temporarily limit the number of inbound flights for 48 hours starting from midday local time.
“I’m personally liaising with the management of all the airlines serving DXB [Dubai International Airport], and we’re striving to increase the number of flights departing every hour,” he stated.
“We’ve implemented restrictions on incoming flights to ensure we’re not overwhelmed with aircraft and can accommodate every stand. Additionally, every facility at the airport is currently fully operational,” he added.
Dubai Airport has advised travelers to proceed with caution when journeying, advising them to contact their airlines in advance to verify the status of their flights and to refrain from arriving at the airport excessively early.
“Our primary message is to urge individuals not to arrive at the airport until a maximum of two hours before their scheduled departure, allowing the airport sufficient time to recuperate,” remarked Griffiths.
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