The paths of these two stars have intersected on several occasions due to their association with the luxury brand Bulgari
entertainment7 hours ago
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
The paths of these two stars have intersected on several occasions due to their association with the luxury brand Bulgari
entertainment7 hours ago
The students' demands range from a ceasefire in Israel's war with Hamas to calls for universities to stop investing in Israeli enterprises
world7 hours ago
Despite Kohli's flowing form ahead of the T20 World Cup in June, pundits have raised concerns over his strike-rate
cricket7 hours ago
Saudi Arabia has begun to explore extracting lithium from sea water
business7 hours ago
Speaking after meeting Lebanese leaders, French foreign minister says there had been "a lot of progress" over the French proposals
mena8 hours ago
The three-shot winner from Japan says he is aiming to become a member of the PGA Tour in the future
sports8 hours ago
Big-hitting Nienaber falters at the finish to settle for secondwhile former Abu Dhabi resident David Horsey takes the third spot at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club
sports8 hours ago
The UAE is India's second-largest export destination after the US
economy8 hours ago