Travel Guides & Articles
Emirates Faces Travel Snarl with Many Flights Cancelled on Routes to UAE, India, and China Due to Bad Weather

Published on
August 13, 2025
By: Rana Pratap
Emirates is facing a major travel snarl as many of its flights between the UAE, India, and China have been cancelled due to severe weather conditions. The ongoing storm, marked by heavy rain and strong winds, has made flying unsafe, leading to the grounding of numerous flights. Passengers traveling on routes between major airports like Al Maktoum International, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International, and Shanghai Pudong International are experiencing significant disruptions, with their plans thrown into chaos as the airline works to rebook or reschedule affected flights. This widespread cancellation is a direct result of the dangerous weather, forcing Emirates to prioritize passenger safety and halt operations.
Emirates is experiencing significant disruptions, with many flights cancelled and a few delayed across routes to the UAE, India, and China. A total of 2 flights have been cancelled, making up 0% of the schedule, while 27 flights have been delayed, affecting about 5% of the operations. The cancellations include flights like UAE9816 and UAE9817 between Al Maktoum International (Dubai) and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International (Ahmedabad), as well as UAE9872 from Dubai to Shanghai. These disruptions are a result of severe weather conditions, including heavy rain and strong winds, making flying unsafe and causing a widespread travel snarl.
Severe Weather Leads to Widespread Flight Cancellations
Emirates passengers are facing significant disruptions as several flights were cancelled this week due to severe weather conditions affecting key travel routes between the UAE, India, and China. The cancellations have created a ripple effect, leaving many travelers stranded or facing extended delays.
The stormy weather in the region has led to multiple Emirates flights being grounded, disrupting not only travelers’ plans but also creating a travel snarl that has affected thousands. This includes routes between major airports such as Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) in Dubai, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (AMD) in Ahmedabad, and Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) in China. With the cancellation of many flights, passengers are left uncertain about alternative arrangements.
Affected Flights and Routes
Among the affected flights is UAE9816, which was scheduled to depart from Al Maktoum International (DWC) to Ahmedabad (AMD) on Thursday morning at 2:25 AM +04. This flight was one of the many that was cancelled due to the inclement weather. Similarly, UAE9817, a return flight from Ahmedabad to Dubai, was scheduled for 8:40 AM IST on the same day but also faced cancellation, further adding to the confusion for travelers between India and the UAE.
Additionally, the flight UAE9872 from Al Maktoum International to Shanghai Pudong was scheduled to leave at 2:10 PM +04, but this too was scrapped. These cancellations have severely impacted passengers who were either departing or arriving from these key international hubs.
Weather Conditions Behind the Disruptions
The disruptions are primarily caused by severe weather, which has been affecting the entire region, including significant rain and wind that have made conditions unsafe for flying. The inclement weather has caused airport authorities to limit or halt air traffic temporarily in certain areas, leaving airlines like Emirates with no choice but to cancel flights to ensure passenger safety.
For those affected, the news of flight cancellations comes as a shock, as many were unaware of the deteriorating weather conditions until they arrived at the airport or received notifications from the airline. Emirates has urged passengers to check the status of their flights regularly and follow the latest travel advisories for their respective destinations.
Impact on Passengers and Alternative Arrangements
The airline is actively working to rebook affected passengers on later flights, although availability is limited due to the volume of cancellations. In some cases, travelers have been advised to seek alternative travel arrangements through other carriers or wait for the weather to clear up before new flights can be scheduled.
The impact of the cancellations goes beyond just the airlines and passengers. The ripple effect of the cancellations extends to the broader travel industry, affecting ground services, airport operations, and even the local economies that depend on tourism and business travel. With so many flights grounded, airlines are facing challenges in re-establishing their schedules and managing an influx of customer service inquiries, which is creating further delays in handling the increased passenger load.
Advice for Affected Travelers
Passengers planning to travel on Emirates in the coming days are advised to keep checking their flight status regularly on the airline’s official website or app, as more cancellations or delays could occur depending on the weather conditions. Additionally, those whose flights have been cancelled may be eligible for compensation or refunds, depending on the circumstances surrounding the cancellation.
Emirates is facing major travel disruptions with many flights cancelled on routes to the UAE, India, and China due to severe weather conditions. Heavy rain and strong winds have forced the airline to ground flights for passenger safety.
Looking Ahead: Efforts to Resolve the Situation
Emirates is making efforts to address the situation and provide as much support to its passengers as possible. However, the scale of the weather disruption means that many passengers could face an extended wait before being able to reach their destinations.
For now, the travel snarl caused by the weather continues to affect travelers on routes between the UAE, India, and China. With a focus on passenger safety, Emirates and other airlines operating in the region are hoping for clearer skies in the coming days to resume normal operations. Passengers are urged to stay updated on the situation and prepare for potential delays or rescheduling of their flights.
Travel Guides & Articles
Thomas Cook India & SOTC Travel ink long-term strategic MOU with Queensland Tourism

Mumbai, September 1, 2025:In a strategic initiative to boost travel to Queensland – Australia from the high-potential India market, Thomas Cook (India) Limited, India’s leading omnichannel travel services company, and its group company, SOTC Travel, have signed a long-term, multi-pronged MOU with Queensland Tourism (Tourism and Events Queensland). This strategic collaboration will ensure focus on growing Queensland’s visibility and inspiring year-round visitation from India. The MOU was signed by senior leadership from Thomas Cook (India) Limited and SOTC Travelwith Katie Mills, International Director at Tourism and Events Queensland in the presence of Hon David Crisafulli MP, Premier of Queensland and Minister for Veterans.
This multi-pronged long-term MOU will focus on content, education & training programmes and joint marketing, leveraging Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel’s strategic phygital model (range of digital platforms and extensive pan-India retail network) to position Queensland as an ideal destination for leisure, MICE, B-leisure, and sports tourism across India’s metro, mini-metro, and Tier 2 and 3 markets.
Home to UNESCO World Heritage sites like the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest, Queensland offers travellers a wide range of unique experiences. The Gold Coast is known for its theme parks, beaches and adventure activities, the Whitsundays for its white-sand island stays and sailing opportunities. Brisbane’s modern, cosmopolitan touch with its riverfront precincts, diverse dining, rooftop bars and nightlife, Cairns and Port Douglas serve as gateways to reef and rainforest exploration.
Queensland appeals to all traveller segments – multi-generational families, couples to young India’s millennials & GenZ and MICE groups. In addition, sports tourism, fuelled by Indians’ love for cricket and global sporting events like the upcoming 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games.
Mr. Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE, Visa, Thomas Cook (India) Limited, said, “Experiential travel is a key demand driver, highlighted in our India Holiday Report – with 75% respondents seeking experiences over traditional tours. And Queensland offers just this: from spectacular natural vistas, world-class gastronomy to global sporting events and more!
Our MOU with Queensland is a great opportunity to expand our product portfolio and showcase Queensland as a year-round destination. Our intent is to create innovative, immersive, experience-led itineraries that appeal to our range of segments across multi-generational families, millennials and GenZ, couples, working professionals and our powerful MICE corporates.”
Mr. S.D. Nandakumar – President & Country Head – Holidays and Corporate Tours, SOTC Travel Limited, said,” We are excited to partner with Queensland Tourism! With our powerful legacy of over 75 years and our extensive pan-India reach, we look forward to inspiring Indians, not just from metros, but also our regional tier 2 and 3 markets. Our strategy will focus on the key pivots of product development, education and marcom.
We intend to spotlight Queensland’s iconic natural beauty while also showcasing the state’s hidden gems and exciting experiences – ensuring truly memorable and repeat visitations.”
Tourism and Events Queensland CEO, Craig Davidson said, “This strategic connection with Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel is a powerful step forward in our mission to position Queensland as the destination of choice for India travellers. From the Great Barrier Reef to the Scenic Rim, Queensland offers unforgettable experiences across every season. Through collaborative marketing, education and content creation, we’re excited to inspire more India visitors to discover ‘Australia’s Holiday Feeling’, which can only be experienced in Queensland.”
Travel Guides & Articles
Hahnair appoints Travesla as new service partner in India

Hahnair, a provider of airline distribution services, has appointed Travesla as its official service partner in India. The new collaboration will strengthen support for travel agencies in the region, guiding Hahnair’s suite of ticketing services, including access to over 350 partner airlines.
Travesla, led by aviation veteran Salil Nath, is a representation company and GSA combining global expertise with a partner-first approach. With deep knowledge of the Indian market and decades of leadership experience at airlines and travel management companies, the team at Travesla is uniquely positioned to support agencies with local insight and global opportunities.
Kimberley Long, Vice President of Agency Distribution at Hahnair, said, “We are very happy to collaborate with Travesla. Their service and deep understanding of the Indian market will be invaluable in strengthening our support to travel agencies across the region.”
In their role as the general point of contact, Travesla will provide dedicated support to travel agents for any inquiries related to Hahnair services. This includes information about ticketing services, conducting informative presentations and training sessions, and facilitating ticketing authority requests to Hahnair’s partner airlines.
Moreover, Hahnair’s Service Desk remains at the disposal of agents for any questions regarding issuing tickets on Hahnair (HR) stock at [email protected]. Bharat Kapoor, Regional Vice President, will also be available to provide additional support, further reinforcing Hahnair’s commitment to its partners in the region.
“We trust Travesla to be an extension of Hahnair in India. Their market expertise, commitment to service, and close relationships with the travel trade make them the ideal partner for representing us locally,” added Bharat Kapoor.
Looking ahead, Salil Nath, Founder and CEO of Travesla, emphasised the benefits for travel agencies, “We are proud to represent Hahnair in India. For travel agents, Hahnair’s leading airline network, along with secure processes and reliable support, will open up new opportunities for Indian agencies and help them better serve their clients.”
Travel Guides & Articles
Ride or die: PM Modi, Putin make a statement with carpool

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin made a striking statement of camaraderie as they shared a ride in a ‘made in Russia’ Aurus sedan gifted to Putin by China. The two leaders were seen heading together to the Ritz-Carlton in Tianjin, where they are scheduled to hold their bilateral talks on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit.
Modi later posted on X about the unusual carpool, writing, “After the proceedings at the SCO Summit venue, President Putin and I travelled together to the venue of our bilateral meeting. Conversations with him are always insightful.”
SHOW OF WARMTH
The unusual carpool followed a warm embrace earlier in the day, when Modi and Putin greeted each other at the summit venue. Cameras captured the hug, which quickly went viral on social media. Modi later amplified the moment on X, writing: “Always a delight to meet President Putin!”
TALKS UNDER TRADE TURBULENCE
Their meeting comes at a sensitive moment in global trade and geopolitics. Officials said the bilateral talks would focus on energy partnerships, defence cooperation and the broader global order.
The discussions gain added weight amid US President Donald Trump’s imposition of steep tariffs, as high as 50 per cent on Indian exports, citing New Delhi’s continued purchases of discounted Russian crude oil. The tariffs, part of Trump’s broader protectionist push, have unsettled markets and loomed large over the SCO proceedings.
MODI, PUTIN, XI TOGETHER
The day also produced rare images of PM Modi in animated conversation with both Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Videos and photographs showed the three exchanging smiles, handshakes and light moments together. Modi posted photographs of the interactions, remarking: “Interactions in Tianjin continue! Exchanging perspectives with President Putin and President Xi during the SCO Summit.”
INDIA’S SCO PRIORITIES
In his plenary address, Modi outlined India’s approach to the grouping around three pillars — security, connectivity and opportunity. He renewed calls for collective action against terrorism, reminding leaders that India has suffered its impact for four decades, most recently in the Pahalgam attack. He cautioned against double standards on extremism and stressed the need for a unified stand through mechanisms such as SCO-RATS.
The prime minister also delivered a pointed message on connectivity, saying projects that ignore sovereignty “lose trust and meaning”. Though unnamed, the remark was widely seen as a rejection of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, particularly the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor that passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Modi instead highlighted India-led projects such as the Chabahar Port and the International North-South Transport Corridor, aimed at linking South Asia with Central Asia while respecting territorial integrity.
MEETING XI AFTER SEVEN YEARS
On the sidelines, Modi held his first bilateral meeting with Xi Jinping in seven years. He pitched for cooperation between India and China in combating terrorism, noting that both countries have been victims of extremist violence, while reiterating New Delhi’s concerns over cross-border terror. The meeting came against the backdrop of strained ties since the Galwan clashes of 2020, making Modi’s visit to China, his first since the crisis, particularly significant.
– Ends
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