Despite the severe winter storm causing significant disruption across the southern United States, flights between the UAE and the US remain unaffected, according to statements from Emirates and Etihad airlines. Both UAE-based carriers clarified on Saturday that they are not facing major delays due to the storm, which has led to the cancellation of thousands of domestic US flights.
Emirates and Etihad Operations
Emirates Airlines reported a minor delay for a flight to Dallas but confirmed there were no significant impacts on its operations. A spokesperson from the Dubai-based airline assured, “There has been no major impact on our operations.” Etihad Airways, based in Abu Dhabi, also confirmed that all flights are operating as normal.
International flights typically face less disruption than domestic ones due to their lower frequency, which has contributed to minimal delays for UAE carriers.
US Domestic Flights Affected
The winter storm has caused major disruptions in the southern US, where over 3,000 domestic flights were cancelled on Friday. More delays are expected as snow continues to blanket southern states, including Texas and the Carolinas, where up to six inches of snow could accumulate.
The US National Weather Service warned that some areas in Arkansas and Tennessee may see up to eight inches of snow by Sunday. Earlier this week, another winter storm led to the cancellation of over 2,300 flights, leaving at least five people dead and many residents without power.
Airlines Struggling with US Operations
Delta Airlines was one of the carriers most affected, canceling approximately 1,100 flights on Friday. The storm forced a shutdown of all five runways at Atlanta International Airport for over two hours. Additionally, a Delta flight from Atlanta had to abort its take-off due to an engine problem, leading to an emergency evacuation of over 200 passengers and crew.
Other major airports, including Dallas Fort Worth and Charlotte Douglas, also experienced significant flight cancellations, with more than 1,200 flights cancelled across the two hubs.
Summary
While the winter storm has wreaked havoc on domestic flights within the US, international flights from the UAE to the US, including those operated by Emirates and Etihad, are operating smoothly without significant disruptions.
