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Kenya Airways cancels Dubai flights due to severe weather

Kenya Airways Boeing 777-300(ER) landing at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport in The Netherlands. (AFP)

By Lucy Mumbi | 17 Apr 2024

Affected customers have been advised to contact Kenya Airways customer relations for assistance.

Kenya Airways has announced the cancellation of flights to and from Dubai due to severe weather conditions and ongoing flooding in the United Arab Emirates.

In a statement on Wednesday, the cancellation of flights affected one flight on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, and another on Wednesday, April 17, 2024.

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“Due to severe weather and ongoing flooding in the United Arab Emirates, which has led to operational challenges, Kenya Airways cancelled one flight into and out of Dubai yesterday, Tuesday, April 16, 2024, and one today, Wednesday, April 17, 2024,” reads the statement.

The airline expressed regret to their customers for the inconvenience caused and assured passengers that they are closely monitoring the situation and maintaining close communication with Dubai authorities to minimise disruptions to travel plans.

“We sincerely apologise to our customers for any inconvenience resulting from this situation,” the statement adds.

Affected customers have been advised to contact Kenya Airways customer relations for assistance. They can reach out via phone at +254 711 024 747, WhatsApp at +254 705 474 747, or email at customer.relations@kenya-airways.com.

“As this is a developing situation, we will keep you updated as soon as we have new developments,” it said.

Dubai International Airport (DXB) has been temporarily diverting arriving flights since Tuesday evening until weather conditions improve while keeping the departures operational.

The website showed dozens of flights delayed or cancelled, with affected destinations including India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Kingdom.

In their 8:57 am update on Wednesday, the airport advised its passengers to avoid going to the airport unless it is necessary.

“Due to the unprecedented weather conditions in the UAE, Dubai International (DXB) is advising passengers not to come to the airport, unless absolutely necessary. Flights continue to be delayed and diverted. Please contact your airline for the latest information on your flight status,” reads the notice.

They noted that they are working hard to recover operations as quickly as possible in very challenging conditions.

On Tuesday, Flydubai also temporarily suspended all of its flights departing from Dubai until Wednesday morning due to bad weather.

"All flydubai flight scheduled for departure from Dubai this evening (16 April) has been cancelled effective immediately until 10:00 (Dubai local time) on 17 April. During this period, passengers who do not have Dubai as their final destination will not be accepted for travel," a flydubai spokesperson was quoted as saying.

Its state news agency said that the adverse weather has hit other locations in the Gulf Peninsula, including Oman, where at least 18 people have been killed due to heavy rains in recent days.