ABU DHABI // Thick fog shrouded the city on Saturday morning causing serious disruptions to all flights as Abu Dhabi Airport was forced to close at 2,30am.
Etihad Airways diverted seven inbound flights to three airports in the UAE and delayed the arrival and departures of other services. Once the airport reopened at 3.40am, most of the diverted flights proceeded to Abu Dhabi, while delayed flights have begun departing, according to Etihad Airways.
Flights are being rescheduled to carry passengers to their final destination as soon as possible, and extra Etihad Airways staff have been sent to Abu Dhabi International Airport to assist delayed passengers.
Etihad Airways expects further delays as aircraft are repositioned and flights are rescheduled. These conditions have resulted in unprecedented congestion at Abu Dhabi Airport and will lead to knock-on effects throughout the network for the next 24 hours.
The fog is expected to lift by around 11am, according to the National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology (NCSM), noting visibility had already improved to about 150 metres at 9.30am. Dubai experienced fog, but it had cleared by 9am, according to the NCSM. The centre is warming of a chance of light fog or mist tonight in the capital. Coastal highs are expected to reach between 29°C and 26°C, with lows dipping to between 14°C and 19°C and as low as 8°C to 16°C in the interior.
Passengers are advised to contact the Etihad Airways Contact Centre on +971 (0) 2599 0000 or visit the Etihad Airways website at www.etihad.com/flightstatus for more information on the status of flights in and out of Abu Dhabi Airport.
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