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BA flights to UAE remain cancelled

By Joseph George

Emirates, Etihad backlog almost cleared
Most British Airways flights to the UAE continue to remain cancelled even as the Heathrow airport announced the functioning of the southern runway. Snow and frigid temperatures caused disruption across northern Europe for a fifth day on Wednesday, though conditions were easing.

Meanwhile Germany's Frankfurt Airport that was closed yesterday morning as more snow fell, has become operational.

Most of the flights to and from Europe to Dubai are operating as scheduled.

In its statement Heathrow airport said, "Airlines are currently operating a significantly reduced schedule while they move diverted aircraft and crew back into position.

"It is extremely important that you do not travel to the airport unless you have confirmed your booking with your airline and your flight is showing as 'scheduled' in the live flight information board below. If the flight status shows 'contact airline' or doesn't appear, we're very sorry but your flight will not be operating today," it said and added that "It will take some time to rebuild an operation of our size and complexity at our hub airport..... We expect to operate the vast majority of our flights into and out of London Gatwick and London City, although some flights may be subject to delays."

BA's BA0107 and BA0109 from LHR to DXB has been cancelled. Similarly two other flights from Dubai have been cancelled."

Emirates too announced that it returns to normal operations at London Heathrow after re-opening of second runway.

"Emirates has resumed normal operations at Heathrow after the second runway was re-opened for business. All UK airports are open and Emirates flights in and out of the UK, as well as Emirates' other European destinations, are operating as close to schedule as possible. Passengers are reminded that flights may still be affected by the changing weather conditions," a statement on its web site said. All the five flights to and from DXB to LHR are on schedule.

Meanwhile France has let the two main airports in Paris, Charles de Gaulle and Orly, to remain open around the clock in an effort to clear the backlog of delayed flights. According to reports quoting Air France CEO Pierre-Henri Gourgeon, the financial impact of snowfall and other weather-related disturbances on Air France-KLM is estimated to be around 35 million euros (S$60.1 million) just this month alone.

A total of 19 flights are scheduled between Dubai and Heathrow for Tuesday and the only cancellation is British Airways' BA104, scheduled for 3.30pm.
"Due to the continuing bad weather, further flight delays and cancellations are likely over the coming days and beyond. We are operating a reduced schedule until 06:00am (GMT) on Wednesday, December 22," said a Heathrow announcement.

Meanwhile, all Tuesday morning flights from Heathrow to Dubai are on schedule and the first flight, Emirates'EK8 was scheduled to depart at 8.50am. A total of 15 flights are scheduled to operate from Heathrow to Dubai today

Among the flights cancelled from Heathrow to Dubai are two British Airways' flights BA105 and BA109 scheduled to depart at 8.35pm and 9.40pm, an American Airlines and Iberia flight scheduled to depart at 9.40pm, all GMT times.

All Emirates flights are operating as scheduled. Emirates Airlines in an announcement said that two of its flights EK 029 and EK030 have been re-routed through Birmingham.

Emirates customers due to travel to, or from Europe, are advised to check the status of their flights below on for possible changes or delays, before departing for the airport.
Most inbound flights to the UAE from Heathrow International Airport (LHR) are experiencing delays as snow resumes amidst continuing freezing conditions. Airlines have meanwhile added additional flights to assist stranded passengers.

Etihad also announced an extra flight to the UK.

© Emirates 24|7 2010