Emirates, Etihad cancel flights to New York

Emirates and Etihad Airways have scrapped flights to New York for October 29 and 30 as Hurricane Sandy looms over the US east coast.

The flights are amongst the 7,200 that have already been cancelled across the east coast as forecasters warn of strong winds of up to 125 kmph and severe flooding in wake of Sandy.

Qatar Airways and United (which flies daily direct to Washington DC) have also cancelled flights.

Emirates has posted that six flights in total have been affected with the closure of JFK Airport, EK201-204, over October 29 and 30.

The statement adds: “Emirates apologises for any inconvenience caused to its customers, however the safety of our passengers and crew is of the highest priority and will not be compromised.

“Passengers holding tickets to/from New York are advised to contact their local Emirates office and check the status of their flight…”

Emirates is allowing its stranded passengers, who have purchased tickets on or before October 28 to travel to or from New York to rebook with re-issue charges being waived for passengers ticketed to travel during until October 31.

Rebooking has to be within a 7-day period after the scheduled departure time of the original flight and in the same booking class, while return flight’s rebooking is also permitted within a 7-day period after the original flight date and in the same booking class and at no additional cost to the passenger.

Meanwhile, the Abu Dhabi-New York JFK return flights on Monday have also been cancelled on Etihad Airways.

“Due to the worsening weather situation in the north eastern United States, Etihad Airways has cancelled flights EY101 (Abu Dhabi-New
York) and EY100 (New York-Abu Dhabi) for Monday.

“Etihad Airways apologises for this disruption. The airline is contacting affected passengers and assisting with alternative travel arrangements,” the airline said in a statement.

However, unlike Emirates, the Abu Dhabi-based carrier is aiming to resume regular operations to and from New York on October 30, “pending an improvement in the weather situation in the New York area”.

Meanwhile, Mideast passengers are also stranded in Dubai as United’s daily direct t Washington DC is scrapped, as is Qatar Airways’ New York and Washington flights.

Major airports affected in the US are New York JFK, Newark Liberty, Philadelphia and Washington Dulles.

Hurricane Sandy has been tagged as a category 1 hurricane and has been blamed for 66 deaths in the Caribbean.

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