A year after UAE's heaviest rainfall in 75 years: How did Dubai Airport recover? And what’s next

Dubai: A year ago, on April 16, 2024, UAE witnessed the heaviest rainfall in 75 years, which brought the city to a standstill. Roads turned into rivers, thousands of flights were disrupted, and operations at Dubai International Airport (DXB) were severely impacted.

Yet, amid the chaos, the emirate’s response showcased its growing focus on climate resilience and disaster preparedness.

As extreme weather events become more frequent, Dubai Airports is taking bold steps to enhance its climate resilience, CEO Paul Griffiths said at the Economist Intelligence Corporate Network.

Griffiths said that the future of disruption management will be shaped by artificial intelligence, automation, and enhanced coordination. He explained, “Extreme weather events are no longer rare. The way forward is stronger infrastructure and smarter, data-driven crisis management that ensures we stay agile, sustainable, and prepared for what’s next.”

 “At Dubai Airports, we are integrating airport drainage with city-wide stormwater networks, expanding our solar capacity, and driving innovation in crisis preparedness,” he explained. These measures aim to ensure Dubai remains prepared for future climate disruptions.

According to the aviation veteran, the climate event was a true test of DXB’s resilience.

“Roads turned to rivers, 2,155 flights were cancelled, 115 diverted, and tens of thousands of bags needed repatriation. But resilience isn’t just about reacting—it’s about being prepared,” he said.

Griffiths said that Dubai Airports activated its strategic leadership team – the Gold Command, ensuring rapid decision-making with real-time data, centralised coordination, and continuous updates to stakeholders.

“Our investments in critical infrastructure held strong, with upgraded drainage systems, high-capacity pumps, and a balancing pond proving essential in mitigating the impact,” he added.

Dubai’s flagship airline, Emirates, which operates out of its hub at Dubai International, said the record-breaking rain that swamped the UAE cost the airline $110 million.

Emirates President Tim Clark had told the media during a briefing at the 80th International Air Transport Association (IATA) annual meeting in Dubai last year that the airline is reviewing its contingency plans following the incident.

He said, “If it happens again, we're still going to face the same problem, but hopefully, we will be in a better place from the source, and that means we have to spend money on manpower, ground equipment and training.”