Holidaymakers have been warned of travel chaos in Dubai, with heavy downpours causing delays and cancellations throughout United Arab Emirates airports.
The UK Foreign Office has told tourists heading to Dubai to be aware of ‘severe disruption’ due to the extreme weather, which saw the country battered by the most rain it has recorded in 75 years.
Over 142mm of rain fell on Dubai International Airport – the second busiest in the world – over the last 24 hours, more than the average annual amount of 94.7mm – and flooding in the transport have left thousands of Brits struggling to get home.
Some airlines have diverted flights or cancelled them altogether, while authorities have urged anyone planning to travel to Dubai to exercise caution.
If you’re heading to the UAE destination, here’s what you need to know.
Can I travel to Dubai right now? Latest advice after airport floods
Whether you can get to Dubai at the moment will depend on your airline, but even if your flight is still running, it’s likely your travel plans will face disruption.
In a statement, Dubai Airports explained: ‘It’s challenging for departing guests to reach the airport and arrival guests to leave the terminals due to the significant flooding and road blockages, resulting in limited available transport options.
The authority claims recovery will ‘take some time’ but urges guests to check the status of their flight directly with the airline before heading to the airport, and to allow ‘significant extra travel time’.
A further announcement on X made last night (April 17) read: ‘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.
‘We are working hard to recover operations as quickly as possible in very challenging conditions.’
This morning, check-in for Emirates and flydubai has reopened at Terminal 3, and Terminal 1 arrivals have restarted. However, it’s still being stressed that only those with confirmed bookings or departure confirmations from their airline should go to the airport.
Access roads around the airport are still being cleared too, so although availability of taxis is improving, it’s likely it’ll take longer than usual to get to and from the airport.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office advised British travellers: ‘Check with your airline before traveling. Contact FCDO if you are in the UAE and in need of emergency support.’
Your rights if Dubai flights are cancelled or changed
If you’re already at the airport, restaurants are open and accepting meal vouchers (which will be issued to those experiencing delays of more than four hours). You may also be provided with accommodation or transport if you’re re-routed to the next day.
Due to the major disruption, this may not have been possible, so the CAA recommends passengers keep the receipt for ‘reasonable’ costs (like food and accommodation) they pay for themselves and claim for reimbursement later.
If you have been delayed for more than five hours and no longer wish to travel then you’re entitled to a refund from the airline, and if you missed your connection flight because your first flight was delayed, you are also entitled to a flight back to your original departure point.
However, once you take a refund or choose to travel later than the first available flight, the airline no longer has any obligation to provide you with food, drink or accommodation.
Under UK law, airlines sometimes have to provide compensation if your flight arrives at its destination more than three hours late, but this depends on what caused the delay. Since these disruptions aren’t the airline’s fault, they fall under ‘extraordinary circumstances’, meaning you aren’t eligible for compensation.
Check your travel insurance policy, though, as some insurers offer cover in the form of a fixed cash sum if your flight is delayed or cancelled due to bad weather.
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