Emirates has warned passengers of significant disruption on its Dubai–Sialkot route after dense winter fog blanketed Pakistan’s Punjab province.
According to a travel update posted at 07:00 on 20 December, flight EK618/619 (Dubai-Sialkot-Dubai) scheduled for 19 December was cancelled, while flights EK620 and EK621 were retimed to 21 December. Customers whose itineraries involve a connection in Dubai onward to Sialkot are being refused carriage at their points of origin until further notice.
![Emirates cancels and retimes Dubai–Sialkot flights as severe fog grips Punjab]()
Fog routinely affects northern Pakistan at this time of year, but the intensity of this weekend’s low-visibility conditions forced the airline to pre-emptively ground services. The move underscores how weather in one airport can ripple through Emirates’ global network, potentially derailing carefully-timed winter-holiday itineraries for business travellers and diaspora passengers alike.
Travellers holding affected tickets have been instructed to contact their travel agents or Emirates directly to rebook on alternative dates. The carrier is also urging passengers to keep their contact details up to date in the ‘Manage Your Booking’ portal to receive SMS and e-mail alerts as schedules evolve.
Practical tip: Mobility managers moving staff between the UAE and Pakistan should build flexibility into itineraries for the next week, as further fog-related disruptions are likely. Where travel is unavoidable, ensure employees have proof of onward hotel bookings in Dubai in case an unexpected overnight stay becomes necessary.
According to a travel update posted at 07:00 on 20 December, flight EK618/619 (Dubai-Sialkot-Dubai) scheduled for 19 December was cancelled, while flights EK620 and EK621 were retimed to 21 December. Customers whose itineraries involve a connection in Dubai onward to Sialkot are being refused carriage at their points of origin until further notice.
Fog routinely affects northern Pakistan at this time of year, but the intensity of this weekend’s low-visibility conditions forced the airline to pre-emptively ground services. The move underscores how weather in one airport can ripple through Emirates’ global network, potentially derailing carefully-timed winter-holiday itineraries for business travellers and diaspora passengers alike.
Travellers holding affected tickets have been instructed to contact their travel agents or Emirates directly to rebook on alternative dates. The carrier is also urging passengers to keep their contact details up to date in the ‘Manage Your Booking’ portal to receive SMS and e-mail alerts as schedules evolve.
Practical tip: Mobility managers moving staff between the UAE and Pakistan should build flexibility into itineraries for the next week, as further fog-related disruptions are likely. Where travel is unavoidable, ensure employees have proof of onward hotel bookings in Dubai in case an unexpected overnight stay becomes necessary.
Source: Emirates travel updates
