Emirates suspends check-in for transit through Dubai as city's airports reels from historic rains

Dubai’s flagship airline Emirates suspended check-in for all customers with onward connections through the city as the region struggles through a historic storm.

According to Reuters, the suspensions will be in place until 11:59 PM GMT on Friday and were imposed three days after a record storm swept across the United Arab Emirates.

It is important to note that Emirates is one of the world’s biggest international airlines. In the announcement, the authorities noted that the Emirates customer travelling to Dubai as their final destination may check-in and travel as usual, Reuters reported.

The suspension indicated that the airline and its hub which is the Dubai International Airport, are still struggling to clear a backlog of flights after the Middle Eastern region saw its heaviest rainfall in 75 years.

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Thousands of passengers were affected by the storm

The storm brought the entire UAE to a complete standstill for two days causing significant damage to its infrastructure. Dubai Airport Chief Executive Paul Griffiths told local radio station Dubai Eye on Friday that thousands of passengers have been affected by flight cancellations this week.

Dubai Airport Chief Operating Officer Majed Al Joker maintained that the city’s International Airport would resume normal operations within 24 hours.

The storm that hit Oman on Sunday pounded the UAE on Tuesday causing multiple flash floods across the nation. The treacherous conditions led to the death of 20 people in Oman and one person in the UAE.

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A rare event

Rains are rare in the UAE and elsewhere on the Arabian Peninsula, which is typically known for its dry climate. The summer air temperatures in the region can soar above 50 degrees Celsius.

The main road that connects the UAE’s most populous emirate Dubai with Abu Dhabi remained partially closed shortly after the storm hit the region.  In UAE’s north including in the emirate of Sharjah, people are still trapped in their homes after the floods caused extensive damage to the business.

Amid the chaos, the UAE’s National Center of Meteorology said that Monday may see light rainfall by late night. The authorities also forecast “a chance of light to moderate rainfall, which might be heavy at times over some areas” for Tuesday.

With inputs from Reuters.