Flights to be disrupted, rerouted due to cyclone Mekunu

Dubai - The cyclone is likely to affect weather in the UAE over the weekend.

Starting Friday, flights to Oman and East Africa would be disrupted and rerouted due to cyclone Mekunu, which will hit different countries in the region in the coming days.

"Due to the tropical cyclone Mekunu formed in the Arabian Sea, whose landfall is expected to reach Salalah and surrounding areas on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, our flights to and from Salalah, Zanzibar, Nairobi and Dar Es Salaam may be affected," Oman Air said in a note.

Passengers of Oman Air have been advised to check their flight timings due to likelihood of any changes in the schedules.

UAE airlines

A flydubai spokesperson told Khaleej Times that the flights have been rerouted as a precautionary measures due to the tropical storm.

"Due to the forecasted tropical storm over the Arabian Sea, flydubai has rerouted a number of its flights as a precaution. The affected East African flights will now operate over the Saudi airspace. We will continue to monitor the situation and update our flight schedule accordingly," the airline said in a statement.

An Emirates airline spokesperson said there was no indication of disruption as of now.

The tropical storm Mekunu is forecast to hit Saudi regions as of Saturday, bringing with it zero visibility and torrential rain and floods, the Saudi Meteorological and Environmental Protection Administration warned.

The category 1 cyclone travelling between 117-135km/hr is expected to whip up sand and swamp vast areas of the kingdom.

waheedabbas@khaleejtimes.com