[Anonymous]

[AMcWhirter]

A few days ago we reported on how foggy weather was affecting flights at AbuDhabi which is the home airport of Etihad – see below:

http://www.businesstraveller.com/news/fog-delays-flights-at-abu-dhabi-airport

But today’s foggy conditions have been called “unprecedented” by Etihad which has had to revise its schedules in the midst of a peak travel period.

The airline says a comprehensive list of revised flight times will be published later today. In the meantime, Etihad advises that its A380 flight to LHR tomorrow morning (flight EY 011) has been retimed to depart AbuDhabi at the earlier time of 01.00 instead of 02.35hrs.

http://www.etihad.com/announcements/etihad-travel-update/

[AMcWhirter]

Etihad has published a list of just some of the flights it will cancel today (January 3) and tomorrow (January 4).

Passengers booked on flights up to and including Tuesday January 6 to, from or through Abu Dhabi are being urged to defer their travel plans.

Normal change or cancellation fees are being waived until further notice.

http://www.etihad.com/en/announcements/etihad-travel-update/

[MrMichael]

I was pondering how Etihad might decide which flights to cancel, and how other airlines do likewise when circumstances dictate they need to such as the recent incident at LGW. Looking at the list, I am guessing it is flights where either they get the least margin or have the lowest load factor. Anybody actually know?

[AMcWhirter]

The full story will no doubt emerge in the days ahead.

EY flight schedules will not return to normal for another day or so.

Media reports talk about passengers having to spend many hours on grounded planes at AUH whilst waiting to depart.

CBS San Francisco reports that passengers on one flight spent 12 hours on the ground after fog closed AUH. They then faced a further 16 hour non-stop flight back to San Francisco.

http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2015/01/03/angry-hungry-sfo-bound-passengers-left-inside-plane-stuck-on-tarmac-for-12-hours-in-abu-dhabi/

[ETANR2015]

Apparently schedules are back to normal but I was also stuck on the tarmac last Saturday in AUH for almost 12 hours before flying to Brussels.

Very frustrating experience indeed which now has prompted Etihad to review its processes if such delays should occur again.

I am awaiting for Etihad’s feedback but this will take sometime due to huge volume of complaints they must have received.

I am glad the ordeal is over!

[Author]

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