The outage, which had a global impact, disrupted operations for various companies, including airlines, media, banks, and telecom firms. At Dubai Airport, the incident particularly affected airlines operating from Terminals 1 and 2. However, Emirates, operating from Terminal 3, reported no significant impact on its flights, although some delays might occur due to cascading effects from other airports. Flydubai also confirmed that its operations remained unaffected by the outage.
Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths commended the efforts of the airport staff and their partners in managing the disruption efficiently and ensuring a swift return to normal operations. He highlighted that the airport is back to handling around 1,400 flight movements daily, with full support from their logistics and facilities teams.
In addition to managing the global IT outage, Dubai Airport had recently navigated severe weather conditions, including the heaviest rainfall the UAE had seen in 75 years. This weather event had caused significant operational challenges, including road closures and flight diversions. Despite these obstacles, the airport successfully resumed full operations ahead of its recovery schedule.
The airport's quick response to both the IT outage and the adverse weather conditions underscores its resilience and preparedness in handling unexpected disruptions. The seamless transition to alternative systems during the IT outage and the coordinated effort to clear water accumulation and restore logistics after the heavy rainfall have been crucial in maintaining the airport's operational stability.
As normalcy returns, passengers are advised to arrive at their terminals at least three hours before their flight departures to avoid congestion and facilitate smooth processing. The airport management continues to work on resolving any remaining issues, such as baggage backlogs, to ensure a seamless experience for travelers.
Overall, Dubai International Airport's ability to swiftly recover from both the IT outage and severe weather highlights its robust infrastructure and the dedication of its workforce, ensuring it remains one of the world’s busiest and most efficient airports.