Emirates to reduce flights 28% at DXB for runway upgrade work in 2019

Emirates Airline  has confirmed it will reduce its operating schedule 28% when Dubai International’s (DXB) southern runway (12R-30L) temporarily closes from April 16-May 30, 2019, for upgrades.

“Emirates can confirm that it will be required to reduce its operating schedule by approximately 28% during this time, as single runway operations necessitate capacity cuts from airlines operating at DXB,” an Emirates spokesperson told ATW.

During the 45-day closure, Emirates will cancel certain flights, reduce frequencies to some destinations, and re-time some flights based on DXB slots availability.

“Emirates is working closely with all stakeholders to ensure we optimize our operations and minimize the impact on our customers. Flight schedule changes are ongoing and customers should continually check for the most updated flight schedules, the spokesperson added.

DXB believes there will be lower passenger traffic in mid-April/early May than at other times of the year. Nevertheless, airlines will be required to reduce operations to DXB over the 45-day period. The runway work will cause a significant capacity reduction resulting from single runway operations.

DXB’s southern runway (12R-30L) is nearing the end of its design life and requires complete resurfacing and replacement of the airfield ground lighting and supporting infrastructure. DXB’s northern runway underwent a similar program in 2014.

DXB handles more than 1,100 aircraft movements per day.

Dubai World Central (DWC) will absorb affected scheduled flights as well as charter, cargo and general aviation operations.

DWC is completing an expansion program that will boost capacity from 5-7 million passengers per year to 26 million passengers per year.

DXB, which handled 88.2 million passengers in 2017, is the home base of Dubai-based Emirates Airline and LCC flydubai.