Heathrow Airport to resume some flights later today
"We're now safely able to begin some flights later today. Our first flights will be repatriation flights and relocating aircraft," an airport spokesperson said in a statement.
UAE carriers Emirates and Etihad had announced on Friday the cancellation of a number of their flights to and from Heathrow due to the closure.
Police said that while there was no indication of foul play, they retained an open mind and counter-terrorism officers would lead the inquiries, given their capabilities and the critical nature of the infrastructure.
Heathrow had been due to handle 1,351 flights on Friday, flying up to 291,000 passengers. The closure forced flights to divert to other airports in Britain and across Europe, while many long-haul flights returned to their point of departure.
Airline experts said the last time European airports experienced disruption on such a large scale was the 2010 Icelandic ash cloud that grounded some 100,000 flights.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time Out Abu Dhabi
15 hours ago
- Time Out Abu Dhabi
UAE passport is world's most powerful once again: How to get a UAE passport
It's official. The United Arab Emirates has the most powerful passport in the world. The UAE passport has topped the Arnot Capital Global Passport Power rankings in 2024. This is the fourth consecutive year that the UAE has claimed top spot. So what exactly does it mean to be the most powerful passport in the world? Well, it means that Emiratis are able to travel visa-free to 133 countries, can claim visa-on-arrival in a further 47 nations and only need to arrange pre-approved visa in 18 countries. UAE passport holders benefit from a Schengen visa waiver which allows visa-free travel to 26 European countries as well as visa-free travel to the five other Gulf Cooperation Council countries. The annual power ranking looks at how easy it is to travel between countries using each passport. European countries make up the majority of the top 30 countries with Spain placing in second, Finland in third and France in fourth. You have to get down to 21st position before you'll find another non-European country with South Korea placing highly, Japan is in 25th and New Zealand in 28th. Passports of note for people living in Dubai include the UK in 32, the Philippines in joint 66th, India in joint 70th and Pakistan in joint 91st. How to get a UAE passport A UAE passport is not an easy one to get, however. One of the ways you can get a UAE passport is by being a UAE citizen. Citizenship is only open to a select few non-nationals but it is possible to get a hold of. Non-nationals who could get UAE citizenship can be: Investors Doctors and specialists Inventors Scientists Intellectuals and individuals with creative talents If you are a dependent wife of an Emirati citizen you may also qualify for a UAE passport. And, finally, if you are a newborn baby (and what newborn baby isn't reading this?) of UAE citizens then you can also get a UAE passport. You might also like… 12 fantastic road trips across the GCC Fill up the tank and go Abu Dhabi to Dubai by bus: How to travel between the two cities Everything you need to know, from getting a Nol card to bus timetables Old Abu Dhabi: 15 best spots to uncover the history of the capital Peel back the layers of time
The National
17 hours ago
- The National
Emiratis can renew UAE passports up to a year before they expire in travel rule update
Emiratis will be able to renew their passports up to a year before they expire from Monday. The extended period – up from the previous six months – was announced by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP). Most countries require visitors to have at least six months left on their passports to be allowed to travel. There are some exceptions, with New Zealand, Iceland, Sweden and Albania requiring three months. 'The move aims to improve citizens' quality of life by enabling them to plan overseas travel in advance, complete necessary procedures seamlessly and expand the use of digital official documents,' said ICP director Ali Al Shamsi. 'It is also part of the authority's strategy to provide proactive and innovative government services.' The UAE passport continues to rank among the world's most powerful and trusted travel documents, he added. It moved into the top 10 of the Henley Passport Index for the first time in 2024. The country was ranked ninth with visa-free access to 185 countries, an increase of 152 countries since the index began in 2006. 'The new order will further strengthen the UAE passport's global standing and set a benchmark for passport issuance and renewal systems worldwide,' he said. The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai renewed 7,425 UAE passports during the first half of 2025. The centre has issued 139,000 passports for Emiratis since its inauguration in 2008.
Gulf Today
a day ago
- Gulf Today
Etihad Airways exceeds 20 million passengers in 12 months for first time
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has released its traffic statistics for July 2025, reporting continued growth in passenger volumes and network expansion. In July, Etihad carried 2.0 million passengers, a 19 percent increase compared to July 2024, when the airline flew 1.7 million guests. The passenger load factor rose to 90 percent, up from 89 percent in the same month last year, reflecting strong demand and efficient capacity management. Etihad's operating fleet now stands at 111 aircraft, supporting a growing network of 81 passenger destinations, up from 76 a year earlier. These figures underscore the airline's ongoing investment in fleet and route development. Etihad welcomed 12.2 million passengers year-to-date, a 17 percent increase over the same period in 2024. The average passenger load factor for 2025 so far is 88 percent, compared to 86 percent in the previous year. The airline's rolling 12-month total has reached 20.3 million passengers, further solidifying its position among the region's fastest-growing carriers. Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, said, 'We continue to see strong momentum in our performance, with passenger numbers in July growing by 19 percent year-on-year. Our rolling 12-month total has surpassed 20 million for the first time in our history reflecting the trust our customers place in our service and the strength of our network." 'Our fleet expansion continues with the notable arrival of our first A321LR. July was a record month, with five new aircraft joining Etihad, including two Boeing 787s, an Airbus A350-1000, an A320, alongside the inaugural A321LR. These additions reflect our commitment to growth and boosting capacity across our global network.," he added. WAM
