Severe weather conditions in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) caused significant travel chaos for passengers flying out from Ahmedabad on Friday. Multiple flights from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPIA) to destinations like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah were severely delayed, with some services pushed back by over seven and a half hours.
Major Airlines and Flights Impacted
The disruption affected several key carriers operating from the Gujarat capital. A SpiceJet flight scheduled for an early morning departure to Dubai was hit hardest, facing a delay of nearly 7.5 hours. Two services operated by Emirates on the same Ahmedabad-Dubai route were also delayed by two and five hours respectively. Officials confirmed that flights bound for Abu Dhabi and Sharjah were similarly impacted, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded at the airport.
Cause of the Disruption and Airline Advisories
Airlines uniformly attributed the massive delays to heavy rainfall and thunderstorm activity across various parts of the UAE. This adverse weather severely hampered airport operations and the general movement of air traffic in the region. In response, IndiGo issued a travel advisory, warning passengers that the unstable weather in the UAE was likely to persist throughout the day, potentially leading to more intermittent delays or even cancellations.
The airline advised travelers to monitor their flight status regularly and factor in extra time for their journey to the airport, as ground traffic delays due to the weather were also expected. IndiGo stated that affected customers would receive proactive notifications and could explore options for alternate travel arrangements or refunds if necessary.
Passenger Guidance and Ongoing Concerns
Echoing similar concerns, SpiceJet cautioned its passengers that both departures and arrivals linked to Dubai could face knock-on delays due to the cascading effect of the initial disruptions. The airline strongly urged all travelers to check real-time flight information before starting their journey to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.
The incident highlights the vulnerability of air travel to extreme weather events in connected regions. Passengers flying to the Gulf are advised to stay in close contact with their airlines and allow for considerable flexibility in their plans when such meteorological warnings are in effect.
