Severe storms across the United Arab Emirates caused widespread flight cancellations and delays on Friday, disrupting travel in Dubai, Sharjah and surrounding areas for a second consecutive day. Heavy rain, thunderstorms and lightning created hazardous conditions, forcing airlines to suspend operations and leaving passengers stranded at airports.
Emirates Airline confirmed that 13 flights departing from Dubai International Airport were cancelled due to the adverse weather. Several other domestic and international flights were delayed or retimed as conditions affected air traffic across the region. The airline warned that weather-related disruptions on December 18 and 19 had impacted schedules and advised passengers to regularly check for updates.
Low-cost carrier flydubai also reported that unstable weather had led to selected flights being cancelled, delayed or diverted. Passengers were urged to allow extra travel time to airports and to prioritize safety amid continuing storms.
The severe weather also affected ground transportation. Dubai authorities suspended intercity bus services to and from Sharjah and Ajman until further notice. Flooded roads and traffic congestion led to sharp increases in taxi fares, with some travelers reporting costs several times higher than normal. Residents were advised to use the Metro where possible.
Authorities across Dubai and Abu Dhabi urged businesses to adopt remote working arrangements where feasible, citing employee safety concerns. Government offices in Dubai shifted to full remote work, while public beaches, parks and major attractions were temporarily closed as a precaution.
Emergency response teams were deployed across Dubai, with hundreds of water pumps activated to clear flooded roads. By Friday afternoon, officials said main roads had reopened and traffic conditions were gradually improving. Weather alerts remained in place through the morning, warning residents to stay vigilant during hazardous conditions.
The storm system, which brought widespread flooding and disruption, began easing later on Friday, with forecasters expecting drier conditions to return over the weekend.
