Abu Dhabi’s airport comes to grinding halt
8 March 2014 4:57 AM IST
Etihad Airways, the state-backed carrier that is the UAE’s national airline, said all morning flights were redirected because of a ‘technical failure of the runway landing systems.’ The airport authority cited only operational challenges posed by low visibility conditions.
The malfunction happened as dense fog descended over much of the country, snarling traffic during the morning commute. The airport in nearby Dubai, the region’s busiest air hub, reported delays but remained operational. Abu Dhabi airport said 37 flights were diverted to several regional airports, some as far away as Dammam, Saudi Arabia, and Muscat, Oman.
Flight operations resumed later in the day, though Etihad said ‘significant delays’ were expected to continue for some time.
Etihad, the main user of Abu Dhabi airport, and its larger competitors Qatar Airways and Dubai-based Emirates are growing rapidly and use their Gulf bases as major long-haul aviation transit hubs.
Abu Dhabi International Airport is undergoing a major expansion that includes the construction of a new terminal complex.
The malfunction happened as dense fog descended over much of the country, snarling traffic during the morning commute. The airport in nearby Dubai, the region’s busiest air hub, reported delays but remained operational. Abu Dhabi airport said 37 flights were diverted to several regional airports, some as far away as Dammam, Saudi Arabia, and Muscat, Oman.
Flight operations resumed later in the day, though Etihad said ‘significant delays’ were expected to continue for some time.
Etihad, the main user of Abu Dhabi airport, and its larger competitors Qatar Airways and Dubai-based Emirates are growing rapidly and use their Gulf bases as major long-haul aviation transit hubs.
Abu Dhabi International Airport is undergoing a major expansion that includes the construction of a new terminal complex.
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