The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) issued rare red and yellow fog alerts during the early hours of 3 December 2025 after visibility in parts of Abu Dhabi and Dubai dropped below 300 metres. Police in both emirates automatically reduced speed limits to 80 km/h on major highways, while Dubai Airports warned passengers that low-visibility procedures could add up to 20 minutes to aircraft turnaround times.
Although Dubai International maintained operations, several inbound flights were placed in extended holding patterns until conditions improved, and Sharjah Airport cautioned passengers to reconfirm departure times before travelling to the terminal. The dense fog coincided with the National Day holiday week, historically one of the busiest periods for domestic road travel and inbound tourism.
![Red-Alert Fog Blankets UAE, Triggering Speed Caps and Flight-Status Warnings at Dubai Airports]()
Logistics companies reported minor delays to early-morning cargo runs between Jebel Ali Port and Al-Ain as drivers navigated reduced visibility. Insurers reminded fleet operators that traffic-accident claims spike by up to 30 percent on dense-fog days, underscoring the importance of telematics-based driver monitoring.
For cross-border business travellers, the advisory serves as a seasonal reminder: from December to February, early-morning fog can disrupt both road and air schedules in the Emirates. Corporates should allow extra transfer time to meetings and encourage employees to sign up for airline SMS alerts.
Although Dubai International maintained operations, several inbound flights were placed in extended holding patterns until conditions improved, and Sharjah Airport cautioned passengers to reconfirm departure times before travelling to the terminal. The dense fog coincided with the National Day holiday week, historically one of the busiest periods for domestic road travel and inbound tourism.
Logistics companies reported minor delays to early-morning cargo runs between Jebel Ali Port and Al-Ain as drivers navigated reduced visibility. Insurers reminded fleet operators that traffic-accident claims spike by up to 30 percent on dense-fog days, underscoring the importance of telematics-based driver monitoring.
For cross-border business travellers, the advisory serves as a seasonal reminder: from December to February, early-morning fog can disrupt both road and air schedules in the Emirates. Corporates should allow extra transfer time to meetings and encourage employees to sign up for airline SMS alerts.
