Dubai flights hit; IndiGo, SpiceJet see cancellations

Flight operations to Dubai remained affected for the second day on Thursday due to the non-availability of the runway at Dubai International Airport after Wednesday’s mishap involving an Emirates flight, with low-cost carriers SpiceJet and IndiGo cancelling flights on Thursday to Dubai.

IndiGo said they will operate only one flight to and from Dubai on the Delhi-Dubai-Delhi sector on Friday with all other flights to Dubai being cancelled on Friday.

“Dubai — only widebody aircraft allowed till 7 am tomorrow. Air India routing through Sharjah, Jet through Sharjah and Abudhabi and Indigo, Spicejet cancelled today,” Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju tweeted on Thursday.

Meanwhile, there were also reports on Thursday from Dubai that the evacuation of passengers from the Emirates flight — that was involved in an accident — had been delayed because they insisted on retrieving their hand-baggage before they were evacuated despite appeals by the Emirates flight cabin crew.

In a statement, SpiceJet said, “In the wake of the Emirates aircraft crash landing at Dubai airport yesterday and in accordance with the instructions from the Dubai Airport Authorities, all our flights to and from Dubai have been cancelled. We are taking all possible measures towards passenger convenience and ensuring food and refreshments are being provided to all of them. Our flights to Dubai have been diverted to the following airports — Al Maktoum International Airport, Ras Al Khaimah International Airport and Sharjah International Airport. We are arranging alternate mode of travel from these airports so that our passengers can reach Dubai city.”

In its statement, IndiGo said, “Due to unavailability of runway at Dubai airport, all IndiGo flights operating to and fro India stands cancelled for August 4, 2016.”