News

Air India Express, flydubai to be affected by Dubai’s southern runway closure

11 Apr 2019 by Business Traveller India
Runway at Dubai International airport

The southern runway of Dubai International Airport (DXB) will undergo renovation for 45 days from April 16 to May 30, 2019. This has led to the airlines changing their arrival airports or lowering their flight capacities.

The upgrade works at DXB are aimed at boosting safety, service, and capacity levels of the runway. The renovation will see around 60,000 tonnes of ashphalt and 8,000 cubic metres of concrete laid, along with 800km of primary cables and 5,500 new runway lights.

Air India Express, the budget subsidiary of Air India, has made an official announcement stating that its flights on Mangalore-Dubai-Mangalore route will land at Sharjah International Airport instead of DXB during the renovation. Air India flights to Mumbai, Chennai, Visakhapatnam, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru, Goa are also said to be affected.

Likewise, low-cost carrier flydubai is also set to shift its operations — the airline’s official Facebook page said, “Are you planning to flydubai between 16 April and 30 May? Just a reminder that flights to 42 of our destinations will operate from Dubai World Central (DWC) over this period. Don’t forget to 👀 your flight details before you ✈️.”

Out of the 42 routes, flights to Alexandria, Bahrain, Dammam, Jeddah, Kathmandu, Kuwait and Muscat will operate from both Dubai International (DXB) and Al Maktoum International (DWC) during this period. ( List of destinations operating from Al Maktoum International (DWC) during the southern runway refurbishment project, can be found here.)

Emirates flights are not expected to be diverted to DXB, however, many trips will be cancelled, re-timed or have the operating aircraft changed — as almost 48 aircraft are said to be grounded for 45 days for the repairs.

During the runway closure period, the Dubai Taxi Corporation is offering discounts for passengers arriving through Al Maktoum International Airport.

Natasha Nitturkar

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