Dubai International Airport's North Runway Closed, Airline Diverts May-June

Bandara Internasional Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Wikimedia Commons / Konstantin von Wedelstaedt)

JAKARTA - Several airlines have announced to their passengers that they will transfer flights to Dubai World Central, in line with the closure of the runway of Dubai International Airport in May and June.

According to The National News on April 26, Dubai International Airport's northern runway will be closed for 45 days, from May 9 to June 22, for repairs. This will temporarily reduce capacity at the world's busiest international hub.

Flydubai, Air India Express, and Qatar Airways are among the services affected. The two airports, at Garhoud and Dubai South respectively, are at opposite ends of the city and about a 45-minute drive away.

Flydubai lists 39 destinations that will be affected by the changes, including Doha, Jeddah, Delhi, and Karachi.

"We will continue to operate flights in and out of Terminals 2 and 3 at Dubai International (DXB). But certain Flydubai flights will also operate in and out of Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central (DWC)", Flydubai said.

"So if you're traveling on Flydubai between May 9 and June 22, check your arrival and departure airports carefully."

Dubai Airport said the northern runway would be closed for "extensive upgrades", to ensure continued safety and efficient operation. The airport will continue to operate flights during the 45-day repair period but at a reduced capacity.

Meanwhile, airline Air India Express said it would operate some of its daily flights from the hub, which is close to the Expo 2020 site.

"Some flights will be diverted to Sharjah International Airport and Al Maktoum (Dubai World Central – DWC) during this period", they wrote on Twitter.

"Passengers who have booked flights operating to/from Dubai Airport, are requested to rebook new flights through our contact center/city office."

Meanwhile, passengers traveling from Doha to Dubai on Qatar Airways will also be affected by the change.

Earlier this month, the airline announced that its three daily flights to the emirate would land at DWC during the runway repair period.

Dubai International Airport is the home base for long-haul airline Emirates and discounts airline Flydubai. The last time this level of work was carried out on the northern runway was in 2014.

In 2019, the hub closed the southern runway from April 16 to May 30 for resurfacing and replacement of ground lighting.