UAE Travel Havoc: Nineteen Flights Diverted at Dubai International Airport and Sharjah Due to Dense Fog – Key Information for Tourists

Published on November 21, 2025

Dubai International Airport (DXB), one of the busiest air travel hubs in the world, faced significant operational disruptions early Thursday due to dense fog that reduced visibility to dangerous levels. As a result, 19 inbound flights were diverted to nearby airports before 9:00 AM, causing delays for passengers heading to Dubai. The fog severely hampered normal flight operations, forcing authorities to take swift action to minimize the inconvenience for both travelers and airlines.

With the fog settling over the region, flight arrivals were significantly impacted, creating a ripple effect that spread across various international routes. Travelers found themselves caught in a web of delays, reroutes, and uncertainty as Dubai Airports and various airlines worked tirelessly to restore normal operations. Airport staff coordinated with air traffic control, airline partners, and support teams at both DXB and nearby airports to handle the situation with urgency.

Massive Disruptions at One of the World’s Busiest Airports

Dubai International Airport serves as a crucial point of connection for millions of passengers worldwide. Each week, it facilitates thousands of flights, many of which are on long-haul international routes. On Thursday, as dense fog blanketed the city, the visibility issues left the airport struggling to maintain its smooth operations. Flights bound for Dubai had to be rerouted to alternative airports, as landing in such conditions would be hazardous.

While fog-related disruptions are not an uncommon occurrence at this time of the year, the scale of this incident served as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of air travel to sudden weather changes. The weather pattern that led to these issues created challenges not only for aviation but also for travelers who depend on Dubai as a major transit point.

Flight Cancellations and Rerouting: What Travelers Need to Know

As the fog continued to affect air traffic on Thursday morning, airport authorities worked closely with airline representatives to ensure that affected passengers were given timely updates. Flight delays were inevitable, and in many cases, passengers were asked to reroute to nearby airports, including Sharjah International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport, while some flights were temporarily grounded.

Dubai International advised all passengers to stay vigilant about their flight status and check with their airlines for updates on delays or new schedules. Those whose flights were diverted were offered support services at the alternative airports, and additional resources were deployed to assist with rebooking, accommodations, and transportation.

For travelers planning their next journey through DXB, it is essential to remain updated on weather forecasts, especially in the cooler months when fog can often cause disruptions. Keep in mind that while airports and airlines aim to minimize delays, fog remains a factor that is difficult to control.

What Travelers Can Do to Navigate the Fog-Related Disruptions

If you are traveling through Dubai International during peak fog season, being prepared and informed is key to avoiding frustration. Here are a few tips to navigate potential disruptions:

• Check Flight Status Regularly: In the event of fog-related disruptions, frequent updates are crucial. Always stay informed through airline apps, official Dubai International Airport channels, or your travel agency.
• Consider Alternative Routes: If you’re heading to Dubai, consider planning your travel with an understanding that fog could delay your arrival. Alternatively, look into nearby airports that may be less affected by weather conditions.
• Arrive Early: Given the fog and potential delays, make sure you arrive at the airport with ample time for check-in and potential security delays.
• Pack Essentials for Delays: Keep snacks, water, and entertainment on hand in case of unexpected delays. Having your essential items with you will make any extended waiting time more comfortable.
• Book Flexible Tickets: If you’re flying during the winter months when fog is more likely to cause disruptions, book tickets with flexible change policies to avoid stress in case of delays or cancellations.

Impact of Weather Conditions on International Air Travel: A Global Perspective

This incident at Dubai International is not an isolated event. Airports worldwide are vulnerable to similar weather-related disruptions that can impact international flight operations. For instance, airports in London, Frankfurt, and New York also face occasional delays due to adverse weather conditions, particularly during the winter months.

The scale of Dubai’s operations and its position as a central global travel hub highlights how interconnected international airports have become. A single disruption in one of these hubs can create cascading effects across the global aviation network. This makes it all the more important for passengers to plan ahead, allowing for potential delays when flying through major transit airports.

As the world recovers from various travel disruptions caused by the pandemic, unexpected weather conditions like dense fog will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping the air travel experience. Passengers should be aware of these possibilities and approach travel with a mindset that accounts for sudden changes in operational conditions.

Dubai International Airport’s Efforts to Ensure Safe and Efficient Operations

Dubai Airports, along with airlines, continues to monitor the situation closely and coordinate efforts to restore normal operations at DXB. Given that passenger safety remains the top priority, the airport’s management has stressed that all procedures are followed to ensure the well-being of passengers and crew.

By mid-morning, many of the diverted flights were back on track, and efforts were underway to ensure all flights scheduled later in the day would be unaffected. Despite the challenges posed by the fog, Dubai International remains committed to offering a safe and efficient experience for travelers.

What Lies Ahead for Air Travel in Dubai?

As the UAE continues to see growing numbers of international flights, Dubai International Airport will undoubtedly face similar weather challenges in the future. The airport’s ongoing investment in weather management systems and collaboration with airlines will be crucial to handling these disruptions. This fog-related event serves as a reminder of how unpredictable weather can impact aviation, and why it’s important for passengers to stay informed and flexible when traveling.