Fog delays flights, hundreds stuck for hours

The delayed and diverted flights led to hundreds of passengers arriving at a different destination, being stuck for hours in an over crowded airport.

by

Silvia Radan

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Published: Tue 29 Apr 2014, 12:46 AM

Last updated: Tue 7 Apr 2015, 10:48 PM

Carmen Farouch left home early Sunday morning to get to the airport on time for her flight to Paris at 9am. Heavy fog slowed down her journey, but she managed to reach the Abu Dhabi airport at 7.15am.

“There was thick fog in the morning and I suspected my flight may be delayed, but I didn’t imagine we will only start boarding hours later,” Farouch told Khaleej Times.

Due to severe fog between 6am to 8am, dozens of flights were delayed by up to three hours on Sunday at the Abu Dhabi Airport, and 14 flights had to be diverted to Al Ain, Al Bateen and Al Maktoum airports.

“Needless to say, the departure lounge was chaotic with hundreds of frustrated passengers trying to get information or even a cup of coffee,” she added.

Farouch’s Etihad flight eventually departed at 11.39am after a two hour 40-minute delay.

According to Abu Dhabi International Airport’s representatives, the airport is equipped to handle low visibility operation, to ensure minimal disruption during such weather conditions. Yet, the delayed and diverted flights led to hundreds of passengers arriving at a different destination, being stuck for hours in an over crowded airport and missing their connecting flights.

According to National Centre for Metrology and Seismology (NCMS), similar foggy weather condition is expected on Monday over scattered areas in the country. However, NCMS said that the fog may not be as thick as it was on Sunday morning.

The Met office further added temperatures will also be higher on Monday with skies clear and normal winds in most parts of the country.

According to an Etihad Airways statement, several hundred passengers who missed their connecting flights were re-booked on flights on Sunday afternoon and later in the evening. More than 260 other passengers who had been re-booked have been provided with hotel accommodation.

Fog, a disruption during take off

Mansour Khazal Al Khaja, a first officer (co-pilot) with Etihad Airways, explained why fog is a serious disruption to flights.

“At take off, we need a minimum visibility on the runway of 75 to 100 metres ahead of the aircraft, otherwise the safety of the aircraft may be affected,” he told Khaleej Times.

“Until now, there is no solution for such a problem. Landing can be done on autopilot. We have different procedures of landing in low visibility, according to the thickness of the fog, but take off can only be done manually,” he added.

He also pointed out that fog comes in patches and it can only affect a small area, no matter how thick it is.

“That is why aircraft diverted to Al Bateen airport, which is fairly close to Abu Dhabi one, can land there.”

Dubai Airports and Emirates Airlines said fog did affect their operations.

silvia@khaleejtimes.com


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