UAE weather alert: Dubai Airport, IndiGo and other airlines issue travel advisories for December 18-19 rain, wind | World News
Several airlines and Dubai airport have issued travel advisories for passengers leaving between December 18 and 19 as the UAE is expected to experience rain and wind, which may result in road delays and lead to disruptions in flight schedules.Rain and strong winds could affect road visibility and driving conditions, the airline warned, adding that passengers should allow extra travel time where possible or use the Dubai Metro, Khaleej Times reported on Thursday.
In preparation for the weather, Emirates advised that First and Business Class customers who have confirmed Chauffeur Drive bookings will be collected an hour in advance of their scheduled pick-up time.
“Customers are requested to make sure their contact details are up to date through Manage Your Booking to ensure they receive timely updates,” the airline said, adding that passengers should ensure regular checking of their flight status during the period.
Due to bad weather conditions, Flydubai asked its passengers to come to Dubai International Airport four hours prior to the flight, expecting traffic delays at DXB or disruptions in airport operations. Check-in can be done online between 75 minutes and 48 hours before flight departure.
VIDEO | Dubai: Rains trigger severe waterlogging; roads and malls submerged.
(Source: Third Party)
(Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/9diYg6OLKJ
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 18, 2025
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Passengers travelling from Dubai International Airport – DXB are advised to confirm their flight status with their airlines and leave for their destination early. Commuters can use Metro wherever possible and plan commute accordingly to avoid traffic congestion.
What IndiGo said
Separately, Indian low-cost carrier IndiGo issued a weather advisory: “Weather conditions over the UAE are likely to change, leading to heavy rain and thunderstorms. Considering the dynamic nature of the situation, flight operations may be intermittently affected at different points during the day.”Story continues below this ad
Passengers were advised to check flight status updates regularly, allow extra time to get to the airport due to possible road delays, and be very attentive to notifications from their airlines.
Depending on how the flight is affected, customers may be able to explore alternative travel options or request a refund via the airline’s self-service channels, IndiGo said.
Travel Advisory
Weather conditions across the UAE are forecast to shift, with heavy rainfall and thunderstorm expected. In light of this evolving situation, there may be intermittent impacts to flight operations at various points throughout the day.
While every effort is being…
— IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) December 18, 2025
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Airlines have advised the travelling public to be patient and plan ahead as the country sees unstable weather amid the busy holiday travel period.
IndiGo operates close to 275 flights per week to the UAE, as of mid-2025, making it one of the largest carriers on the India-UAE corridor.Flight operations are impacted intermittently.Story continues below this ad
“Given this fluid situation, there will likely be periodic effects on flight operations at different times throughout the day.”
Work from home advised
The Minry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has urged private sector companies in the most affected areas to implement remote work on December 19, for roles that permit such arrangements. The call is aimed at safeguarding employee health and safety amid heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and strong winds sweeping across the country, Khaleej Times reported.
