The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) issued a red alert from 04:00 to 08:00 on September 21 as dense radiation fog blanketed sections of Dubai-Al Ain Road and parts of Abu Dhabi. Visibility plunged below 200 metres in some areas, triggering speed-limit reductions and automatic lighting protocols on major highways. Dubai Airports activated its low-visibility procedures, spacing arriving flights at wider intervals and coordinating with Emirates, flydubai and ground-handling teams to minimise knock-on delays. Early-morning arrivals from Mumbai, Cairo and London experienced holds of up to 25 minutes, but no diversions were reported. For business travellers, the meteorological warning is a reminder that weather, not just geopolitics, can disrupt tight itineraries during the UAE’s transition from summer heat to autumn humidity. Mobility managers should factor in potential morning fog between September and December when booking first-wave arrivals required to attend same-day meetings. Road commuters faced additional checks; Abu Dhabi Police deployed patrols on Sheikh Zayed Road to enforce variable speed limits, and logistics companies rerouted some last-mile deliveries to avoid high-risk corridors. The NCM expects similar conditions over the next 48 hours, urging motorists and pilots alike to remain alert. Airlines advise passengers to use mobile apps for gate and time changes rather than relying on printed boarding passes issued the night before travel.
Source: Khaleej Times
