Dubai Airport Faces Delays Amid Heavy Rainfall and Flooding in UAE

On Wednesday, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) experienced its heaviest rainfall in 75 years, with some regions on the eastern edge of the Arabian Peninsula reporting more rainfall in a single day than they typically receive in an entire year. In Dubai, the UAE's most populous city, heavy flooding brought traffic to a standstill, caused flights at Dubai International Airport to be cancelled, and led to roof collapses due to the excessive water. Neighboring Oman also experienced unprecedented amounts of rain and flooding, resulting in at least 20 reported deaths.

Dubai International Airport, the world's busiest for international travel, allowed global carriers to resume operations at Terminal 1 on Thursday. Emirates, a long-haul carrier crucial for East-West travel, began accepting local passengers at Terminal 3, their base of operations. However, flooding continued in some areas of Dubai, with one desert community reporting floodwaters rising up to 1 meter (3 feet). The airport remained disorganized after unprecedented heavy rain caused airliners to negotiate flooded runways. Check-ins for Emirates and Flydubai, the airport's two main operators, had reopened but the airport warned of high volumes of travelers at Terminal 3. Some inbound flights resumed, but many passengers remained stranded due to ongoing delays.