Emirates and Qatar Airways cancel Dubai and Doha flights to US amid snowstorm emergencies

Airlines including Emirates and Qatar Airways have cancelled flights to the US amid devastating winter storms causing travel chaos across North America.

Eighteen US states have declared a state of emergency as a powerful winter storm sweeps across the country, forcing the cancellation of thousands of flights.

The states that have declared emergencies include Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia, in addition to the capital, Washington.

Emirates cancels Dubai – US flights

In response to the anticipated severe impact of Storm Fern across parts of the US, the following Emirates flights have been cancelled:

• EK221/ January 24 – Dubai to Dallas
• EK222 / January 24 – Dallas to Dubai
• EK203/January 25 ‑ Dubai to New York
• EK204/ January 25 – New York to Dubai
• EK201 / January 25 – Dubai to New York
• EK202/ January 25 – New York to Dubai
• EK205/ January 25 – Milan to New York
• EK206/ January 25 – New York to Milan
• EK209/ January 25 – Athens to Newark
• EK210/ January 25 – Newark to Athens
• EK231/ January 25 – Dubai to Washington
• EK232/ January 25 – Washington to Dubai
• EK203/ January 26 ‑ Dubai to New York
• EK204/ January 26 – New York to Dubai

The airline said, customers connecting through Dubai on the above cancelled flights will not be accepted for travel at their point of origin.

Major impact of US storms

The storm is affecting more than 180m people from New Mexico to Maine, with forecasts warning of heavy snowfall of up to 12 inches in the Ohio Valley and along the East Coast, as well as widespread ice threatening roads and power supplies.

More than 2,300 flights were cancelled today, Saturday, with thousands more expected to be cancelled tomorrow, particularly at Dallas and Atlanta airports.

Airlines, including Delta, announced flight suspensions across five states, with passengers being automatically rebooked.

Relief organisations have mobilised resources, including 250,000 meals and 400,000 litres of water in Louisiana, with rescue teams on standby.

Schools and federal offices in Washington announced closures on Monday, while authorities urged the public to avoid travel due to the risks posed by ice and freezing conditions.

Qatar Airways warning

Qatar Airways also said flights could be impacted due to the US winter storm.

It said: “Passengers travelling to, and from, the USA are advised to check qatarairways.com or the Qatar Airways app for the latest updates on flight operations that may be affected due to the current winter storm”.

According to data collected from travel information website, Flight Aware, flights to and from Doha’s Hamad International Airport and these destinations will be impacted:

• Dallas-Fort Worth Airport 
• John F Kennedy, New York Airport 
• Washington Dulles Airport
• Boston Logon Airport