Europe-UAE flights back on schedule

DUBAI/ABU DHABI — Airline operations between Europe and the UAE have returned to the normal schedule, officials said.

By Lily B. Libo-on And Anwar Ahmad

Published: Thu 23 Dec 2010, 12:30 AM

Last updated: Mon 6 Apr 2015, 1:57 PM

However, there were a few diversions but no cancellations during the brief closure of Frankfurt airport on Tuesday morning.

Etihad’s early morning flight bound for Frankfurt with 206 passengers on board was diverted to Munich but all flights afterwards were according to schedule.

Tom Clarke, Etihad PR Manager, said the affected passengers were taken by train to Frankfurt free of charge.

An Emirates spokesperson said: “All UK airports are open and Emirates flights in and out of UK, as well as Emirates’ other European destinations, are operating as close to schedule as  possible.” He reminded Emirate passengers that flights may still be affected by the changing weather conditions.

“Emirates customers due to travel to or from Europe are advised to check the status of their flights on emirates.com for possible changes or delays, before departing for the airport. Flight information will be updated on the website every five minutes. Emirates apologises for any inconvenience caused.”

The spokesperson of Lufthansa said: “Heavy snowfall hit Frankfurt airport and irregularities in air traffic are expected. Frankfurt airport is gradually re-starting operations.”

“Long-haul flights from Frankfurt are planned to operate from 1pm local time. Additionally, irregularities on domestic and continental flights are to be expected. Passengers are urged to check their current flight status before coming to the airport and if possible use other means of transportation,” the spokesperson said.

He advised all Lufthansa passengers for any onward flights from Frankfurt to any destination in Europe to go onto the Lufthansa website www.lufthansa.com and type in the corresponding airports of interest, which will clearly show all the flight schedules.

An Air France spokesperson said: “Air traffic has been severely disrupted since December 17 due to the heavy snowfall hitting Paris and some European stations. If you wish to travel, December 25, 2010 included, the modification of your booking is possible free of charge and without any additional collection, in the same cabin of travel, irrespective of the fare paid.”

He said that passengers, who may wish to travel from December 26, 2010 to March 5, 2011, the modification of their booking is possible free of charge at the same fare, according to availability, or at a higher fare, by paying the difference.

On UK-bound passengers stranded earlier, Ahmed Al Haddabi, Senior Vice President, Airports Operations, Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC), also confirmed that flight operations have been normal since Monday afternoon as almost all 600 stranded passengers in Abu Dhabi left for their desired destinations.

Al Haddabi also said the UK-bound passengers, who were earlier stranded at the airport, were allowed to enter the city with a special permission from the Ministry of Interior. “They were issued short term visas.”

“In such situations when passengers get stuck at the airport for certain weather-related hiccups, we have rules and procedures with a MoI arrangement to allow them to enter the city for a few hours, Al Haddabi said.

Some stranded passengers were offered six hours visas to visit the city, he said. “We have received full support from the Abu Dhabi police and other officials in restoring normalcy at the airport,” Al Haddabi said.

news@khaleejtimes.com