Foggy weather hits flight services in Abu Dhabi

Severe fog conditions hit the airline services in capital Abu Dhabi and forced the closure of its International Airport after several flights were diverted and delayed, authorities said today.
The runaway of the Abu Dhabi International Airport had to be closed on Monday morning due to heavy fog and flights were diverted to other destinations in the region.
Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways said in a statement that it diverted 15 inbound flights to five other airports in the region - Dubai World Central, Sharjah, Muscat, Al Ain and Bahrain - following closure of the airport.
The airline said that the other inbound flights were delayed and departures from Abu Dhabi were affected.

"The airport runways were closed at 7.30 am causing serious disruption to flights by all airlines. Etihad Airways diverted 16 inbound flights to five other airports in the region and delayed the arrival and departures of other services," the airline said.
"Following the reopening of the airport at 9.40 am, all of the diverted flights have proceeded to Abu Dhabi, while delayed flights have begun departing," it said.
Other flights were being rescheduled to carry passengers to their destinations and extra staff has been ushered in to Abu Dhabi International Airport to assist delayed passengers.
"Etihad Airways expects further delays throughout the day as aircraft are repositioned and flights are rescheduled. Etihad Airways is working to minimise disruption to its customers, and will provide updates," the statement said.