By Bindu Suresh Rai  www.zawya.com
With the 80-day closure of two runways affecting flights at Dubai International Airport from May 1, passengers may have to revise travel schedules as several airlines shift operations to different UAE airports, or scale back capacity.
Dubai Airports has confirmed it has reduced the number of flights by 26 per cent to accommodate all flights on a single runway without disruption, with 17 airlines reserving slots for flights at the new Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International Airport during the period.
While Emirates has stated the runway closure will affect 5,400 flights, flydubai will have a selected number of flights operating out of DWC.
Meanwhile, Indian carriers such as Jet Airways and Air India Express have shifted operations to Sharjah International to accommodate passengers over the peak summer period.
How does the runway closure affect you?
If you are booked to travel during this period, Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths has advised in a statement for passengers to ensure they are aware which airport they would need to travel to.
Griffiths stated: “We are urging passengers to double-check with their respective airlines to confirm their airport of departure or arrival.” More info
