Philippine flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) and low-cost airline Cebu Pacific have canceled several flights to and from Dubai on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, due to heavy rainfall and flooding at Dubai International Airport (DXB).
According to an advisory from the Manila International Airport Authority, PAL canceled flight PR-659 from Dubai to Manila, while Cebu Pacific scrapped flights 5J-014 (Manila-Dubai) and 5J-015 (Dubai-Manila).
The cancellations came as Dubai and the rest of the United Arab Emirates experienced heavy precipitation and strong winds, forcing the cancellation and diversion of numerous flights to nearby airports.
Torrential rains caused flooding across the DXB aerodrome, preventing ground crews from safely servicing aircraft and posing significant safety risks to aircraft operations.
In a social media post, DXB advised passengers to avoid coming to the airport unless absolutely necessary due to the ongoing flight disruptions and challenging conditions.
“We advise you NOT to come to the airport, unless absolutely necessary. Flights continue to be delayed and diverted. Please check your flight status directly with your airline,” the airport stated. “We are working hard to recover operations as quickly as possible in very challenging conditions.”
Emirates, Dubai’s flagship carrier and the largest airline based at DXB, has also advised passengers with scheduled flights on April 17 not to come to the airport, as check-in remains suspended until further notice.
Travelers are encouraged to stay updated on the latest developments by regularly checking with their respective airlines or monitoring official announcements from DXB and aviation authorities.
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