Kamal Ghorui
Travellers between the United Arab Emirates and India are facing major disruptions after Emirates suspended all flights to and from Dubai until further notice following an incident near Dubai International Airport. The Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi earlier issued a travel advisory for Indian nationals amid the ongoing situation.
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In a statement, the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi said that flight schedules across the UAE have been revised based on instructions from the country’s civil aviation authorities. The advisory noted that airlines are operating limited services and travellers should check with their respective carriers before heading to the airport.
“Based on instructions of the UAE Civil Aviation Authorities, airlines are issuing revised and curtailed flight schedules,” the embassy said in its advisory. “Limited flights will operate between airports in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah and Fujairah to destinations in India. Further details may be checked with respective airlines.”The embassy urged passengers to stay updated with airline announcements and confirm their travel plans in advance due to the rapidly evolving situation.Read more: FASTag annual pass fee revised; new rate to take effect from April 1 – here’s what travellers need to knowMeanwhile, Dubai-based carrier Emirates confirmed that all its flights to and from Dubai remain suspended until further notice. The airline said it is working with authorities to assess the situation and determine when operations can safely resume.
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“All Emirates flights to and from Dubai remain suspended until further notice. We are working closely with the relevant authorities to assess the situation and support the safe resumption of operations when possible,” the airline said in a statement.
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Emirates also advised passengers with bookings scheduled for the day not to travel to the airport. “Customers are reminded not to travel to the airport at this time and to continue checking Emirates’ travel updates section for the latest information,” the airline said.It also added, “Emirates expects to operate a limited schedule after 10:00hrs Dubai local time today. Unfortunately, some flights from today’s schedule have been cancelled. Affected customers will receive a cancellation notice and will be advised on re-accommodation options. We apologise for the inconvenience caused.”The airline thanked travellers for their patience and emphasised that passenger safety remains its top priority. It did not provide a timeline for when flights might resume.The disruption began early Monday after a drone incident occurred near Dubai International Airport (DXB), the world’s busiest airport for international passenger traffic. According to the Dubai Media Office, the drone struck one of the airport’s fuel tanks.Read more: What do vegetarians eat in Japan? Indian teacher shares interesting details about life in JapanDubai Civil Defence teams responded quickly to the situation and were able to contain the resulting fire. Authorities confirmed that no injuries were reported.In response to the incident, the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority announced a temporary suspension of flights at Dubai International Airport as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of passengers and airport staff.Dubai Airports also said that some flights scheduled to operate from DXB are being diverted to Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) as operational disruptions continue.The developments come at a time when aviation operations across the Middle East are already under pressure due to heightened geopolitical tensions. The region has been experiencing increased security concerns after a conflict involving the United States and Israel targeting Iran began in late February.As a result, several airlines have been adjusting routes, suspending services or avoiding certain airspace corridors while authorities continue to monitor the situation.With limited flights operating between the UAE and India, travellers are advised to remain in close contact with airlines for updated schedules and possible rebooking options. Airlines may continue to modify operations depending on security assessments and airport conditions in the coming hours and days.
