FlightAware data show that 10 December became the worst disruption day of the Gulf winter season, with 1,310 delays and seven cancellations across Middle-East airports. Dubai International Airport (DXB) topped the list—310 delayed departures and two cancellations—prompting authorities on 11 December to urge passengers to arrive three hours before departure and use smart-gates to speed immigration.
Winter fog, late-arriving European services and ground-handling staff shortages combined to snarl schedules for Emirates and Flydubai, while ripple effects spread to Doha, Kuwait and Bahrain. Corporate travel managers scrambled to rebook onward connections and extended layovers to protect tight project timelines.
In the midst of such last-minute rerouting headaches, VisaHQ can swiftly confirm entry requirements, renew time-sensitive permits or secure an urgent UAE e-visa, all through a single online portal—check options at https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/.
![1,310 flights delayed across Gulf hubs; DXB issues three-hour rule as winter fog bites]()
Mobility advisers recommend verifying that Schengen or transit visas remain valid after involuntary itinerary changes, as many electronic permits have fixed entry windows. Companies with Gulf projects activated back-up routings via Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, although those airports also faced congestion.
DXB remains in peak season mode, historically processing more than 300,000 passengers a day in mid-December. Expect intermittent disruption through year-end; travellers should enable airline app notifications and, where possible, pre-clear passports for smart-gate use to minimise queue times.
For assignees carrying time-sensitive cargo or samples, consider shipping alternatives as customs cut-off times may shift when inbound flights stack up.
Winter fog, late-arriving European services and ground-handling staff shortages combined to snarl schedules for Emirates and Flydubai, while ripple effects spread to Doha, Kuwait and Bahrain. Corporate travel managers scrambled to rebook onward connections and extended layovers to protect tight project timelines.
In the midst of such last-minute rerouting headaches, VisaHQ can swiftly confirm entry requirements, renew time-sensitive permits or secure an urgent UAE e-visa, all through a single online portal—check options at https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/.
Mobility advisers recommend verifying that Schengen or transit visas remain valid after involuntary itinerary changes, as many electronic permits have fixed entry windows. Companies with Gulf projects activated back-up routings via Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, although those airports also faced congestion.
DXB remains in peak season mode, historically processing more than 300,000 passengers a day in mid-December. Expect intermittent disruption through year-end; travellers should enable airline app notifications and, where possible, pre-clear passports for smart-gate use to minimise queue times.
For assignees carrying time-sensitive cargo or samples, consider shipping alternatives as customs cut-off times may shift when inbound flights stack up.
