UAE weather live: Emirates hit by severe storms
Dubai International Airport is facing significant disruptions to operations after the UAE was hit by an unprecedented storm that saw the heaviest rainfall on record in the past 24 hours.
The major travel hub was forced to shut down operations for 25 minutes on Tuesday due to the adverse weather.
Roads leading to the airport remained blocked and flooded after the deluge.
Several passengers missed flights due to the flooding, while many airlines cancelled or diverted services.
The airport urged passengers not to travel to the airport unless “absolutely necessary” on Wednesday morning.
Chief executive Paul Griffiths said the hub's biggest challenge is flooding and backlog of aircraft.
“We're having to operate a strict one-in-one-out philosophy because there's nowhere to park these aircraft as they are arriving and departing,” he said on Dubai Eye on Wednesday.
Dubai World Central is facing similar challenges after flights from Dubai International were diverted there, he said.
“Some airlines are experiencing problems with crew duty hours and trying to get aircraft mobilised,” he added.
Mr Griffiths praised the efforts of emergency services and thanked Dubai's Road and Transports Authority for their help in getting operations back to normal.
“It remains an incredibly challenging time. In living memory, I don't think anyone has ever seen conditions like it,” he said.
“We are in uncharted territory, but I can assure everyone we are working as hard as we possibly can to make sure our customers and staff are looked after, and are given food and refreshments.”
Travel disruptions
Emirates airline on Wednesday morning announced that it had suspended check-in for passengers departing from Dubai until midnight.
“Passengers arriving in Dubai and already in transit will continue to be processed for their flights,” the airline said.
“Customers can expect delays to departures and arrivals and are advised to check the latest flight schedules.
“We sincerely apologise for the convenience caused.”
At least 20 flights due to depart from Dubai International – one of the world's busiest airports – were cancelled on Tuesday with dozens more delayed, affecting destinations including India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the UK.
Passengers were urged not to travel to the airport unless necessary.
“Due to the unprecedented weather conditions in the UAE, Dubai International is advising passengers not to come to the airport, unless absolutely necessary,” an official said.
“Flights continue to be delayed and diverted. Please contact your airline for the latest information on your flight status.
“We are working hard to recover operations as quickly as possible in very challenging conditions.”
RTA announced a free shuttle bus service for passengers arriving at the airport.
There will also be a free service at specific stations along the Metro's Red and Green lines.
The authority announced earlier that it would be scheduling maintenance at stations, which would affect both metro schedules and stations.
On Wednesday, the authority said traffic on Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Road, heading to Sharjah, had been diverted to Dubai-Al Ain Road, leading to Emirates Road.
Aftermath of the heavy rains across the UAE – in pictures
The design
The protective shell is covered in solar panels to make use of light and produce energy. This will drastically reduce energy loss.
More than 80 per cent of the energy consumed by the French pavilion will be produced by the sun.
The architecture will control light sources to provide a highly insulated and airtight building.
The forecourt is protected from the sun and the plants will refresh the inner spaces.
A micro water treatment plant will recycle used water to supply the irrigation for the plants and to flush the toilets. This will reduce the pavilion’s need for fresh water by 30 per cent.
Energy-saving equipment will be used for all lighting and projections.
Beyond its use for the expo, the pavilion will be easy to dismantle and reuse the material.
Some elements of the metal frame can be prefabricated in a factory.
From architects to sound technicians and construction companies, a group of experts from 10 companies have created the pavilion.
Work will begin in May; the first stone will be laid in Dubai in the second quarter of 2019.
Construction of the pavilion will take 17 months from May 2019 to September 2020.
Important questions to consider
1. Where on the plane does my pet travel?
There are different types of travel available for pets:
- Manifest cargo
- Excess luggage in the hold
- Excess luggage in the cabin
Each option is safe. The feasibility of each option is based on the size and breed of your pet, the airline they are traveling on and country they are travelling to.
2. What is the difference between my pet traveling as manifest cargo or as excess luggage?
If traveling as manifest cargo, your pet is traveling in the front hold of the plane and can travel with or without you being on the same plane. The cost of your pets travel is based on volumetric weight, in other words, the size of their travel crate.
If traveling as excess luggage, your pet will be in the rear hold of the plane and must be traveling under the ticket of a human passenger. The cost of your pets travel is based on the actual (combined) weight of your pet in their crate.
3. What happens when my pet arrives in the country they are traveling to?
As soon as the flight arrives, your pet will be taken from the plane straight to the airport terminal.
If your pet is traveling as excess luggage, they will taken to the oversized luggage area in the arrival hall. Once you clear passport control, you will be able to collect them at the same time as your normal luggage. As you exit the airport via the ‘something to declare’ customs channel you will be asked to present your pets travel paperwork to the customs official and / or the vet on duty.
If your pet is traveling as manifest cargo, they will be taken to the Animal Reception Centre. There, their documentation will be reviewed by the staff of the ARC to ensure all is in order. At the same time, relevant customs formalities will be completed by staff based at the arriving airport.
4. How long does the travel paperwork and other travel preparations take?
This depends entirely on the location that your pet is traveling to. Your pet relocation compnay will provide you with an accurate timeline of how long the relevant preparations will take and at what point in the process the various steps must be taken.
In some cases they can get your pet ‘travel ready’ in a few days. In others it can be up to six months or more.
5. What vaccinations does my pet need to travel?
Regardless of where your pet is traveling, they will need certain vaccinations. The exact vaccinations they need are entirely dependent on the location they are traveling to. The one vaccination that is mandatory for every country your pet may travel to is a rabies vaccination.
Other vaccinations may also be necessary. These will be advised to you as relevant. In every situation, it is essential to keep your vaccinations current and to not miss a due date, even by one day. To do so could severely hinder your pets travel plans.
Source: Pawsome Pets UAE
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
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