Dubai: As bitterly cold weather grips the UK, Gulf carriers have cancelled flights to the country amidst British authorities issuing severe weather alert for England forecasting heavy snowfalls.
Emirates airline said on its website that its flights to and from London Heathrow (LHR) have been disrupted on Sunday. “Following a directive by airport authorities, a reduced operating schedule will be in place at London Heathrow on February 5, 2012 due to expected adverse weather conditions,” the Dubai carrier stated on its website.
It added that four of the airline’s flights have been cancelled due to the disruptions.
“Flights EK29 and EK05 – scheduled to depart Dubai at 09:40 and 16:30 respectively – and the return flights EK30 and EK06, due to depart London Heathrow at 16:35 and 22:00 on the same day, have been cancelled,” Emirates said, advising passengers due to travel to or from LHR to check the status of their flight before departing for the airport.
Etihad Airways, too, has had to cancel two of its flights on Sunday. The Abu Dhabi carrier stated on its website that “severe weather in Europe” has forced the cancellation of two Etihad Airways flights between Abu Dhabi and London on Sunday, February 5.
“Flights EY 11 (02.40) from Abu Dhabi to London and the return flight EY 12 (0915) from London to Abu Dhabi will not operate,” Etihad stated, adding that the carrier is making arrangements to assist all affected passengers. “They are being advised of alternative flights and, where necessary, overnight accommodation will be provided in Abu Dhabi,” it said.
Qatar Airways, meanwhile, has also cancelled two flights scheduled for Sunday – flight QR 001 from Doha to London Heathrow and QR 002 from Heathrow to Doha, the Doha-based carrier stated in a travel alert issued on its website.
“Due to severe weather expected in the UK over the weekend with forecasts of heavy snow and icy conditions, especially in the south, flights will be affected in and out of London Heathrow. To minimise disruption to passengers and operations at Heathrow, airport authority BAA has imposed a cut in the number of flights for all airlines flying to and from Heathrow,” stated the airline’s travel alert, adding that the airlines is Qatar Airways is arranging to accommodate passengers on alternative flights.
All carriers said that they will continue to closely monitor European weather conditions.
