The UAE’s National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) has placed the entire country on a weather watch from 25–29 December as an upper-level trough drags cool, moisture-laden air across the northern emirates. Forecasts issued late on 27 December warn of dense morning fog, patchy rain and visibility below 550 metres—thresholds that trigger CAT II/III low-visibility procedures at Dubai (DXB) and Abu Dhabi (AUH) airports.
When those procedures activate, runway throughput drops and departure banks routinely slip 20–45 minutes. On worst-case mornings, historical data show knock-on delays of up to an hour cascading through regional hubs. Emirates SkyCargo and Etihad Cargo have already alerted shippers that perishables may be resequenced, while DHL and Aramex are cautioning e-commerce clients in Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah of potential 24-hour delivery slips.
For mobility managers the immediate concern is passenger disruption. Airlines are proactively re-timing crew positioning flights, and many have activated waiver policies allowing free re-booking for departures up to 30 December. Global relocation firms are advising assignees arriving this week to pack critical documents (e.g., degree attestations) in hand luggage in case checked baggage misses tight connections.
![Five-day national weather watch threatens flight delays at Dubai and Abu Dhabi through 29 December]()
Should re-routing or extended layovers create unexpected visa or transit-permit requirements, VisaHQ can fast-track the necessary paperwork online. Its UAE portal (https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/) lets travellers and mobility teams order entry visas, track approvals in real time and receive on-the-ground support—services that can be invaluable when weather forces sudden itinerary changes.
Companies shipping time-sensitive pharma and electronics are reviewing contingency routings via Dammam or Doha. Meanwhile, private-jet operators at Al Maktoum International (DWC) report slot scarcity as business travellers seek schedule certainty ahead of year-end meetings.
The NCM says conditions should ease after sunrise on 30 December, but with Dubai International already forecasting its busiest holiday traffic on record, corporate travel departments are urging staff to build extra layover buffers until New Year’s Eve.
When those procedures activate, runway throughput drops and departure banks routinely slip 20–45 minutes. On worst-case mornings, historical data show knock-on delays of up to an hour cascading through regional hubs. Emirates SkyCargo and Etihad Cargo have already alerted shippers that perishables may be resequenced, while DHL and Aramex are cautioning e-commerce clients in Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah of potential 24-hour delivery slips.
For mobility managers the immediate concern is passenger disruption. Airlines are proactively re-timing crew positioning flights, and many have activated waiver policies allowing free re-booking for departures up to 30 December. Global relocation firms are advising assignees arriving this week to pack critical documents (e.g., degree attestations) in hand luggage in case checked baggage misses tight connections.
Should re-routing or extended layovers create unexpected visa or transit-permit requirements, VisaHQ can fast-track the necessary paperwork online. Its UAE portal (https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/) lets travellers and mobility teams order entry visas, track approvals in real time and receive on-the-ground support—services that can be invaluable when weather forces sudden itinerary changes.
Companies shipping time-sensitive pharma and electronics are reviewing contingency routings via Dammam or Doha. Meanwhile, private-jet operators at Al Maktoum International (DWC) report slot scarcity as business travellers seek schedule certainty ahead of year-end meetings.
The NCM says conditions should ease after sunrise on 30 December, but with Dubai International already forecasting its busiest holiday traffic on record, corporate travel departments are urging staff to build extra layover buffers until New Year’s Eve.
