Dubai: Some Travellers 'Gain A Day' With Family, Friends As Heathrow Airport Fire Disrupts Flights

Passengers from Dubai whose flights were canceled due to the temporary shutdown of London's Heathrow Airport are making the best of the situation by staying positive and adjusting their plans.

Rather than focusing on the frustration of canceled flights, many travelers are finding ways to turn the disruption into an opportunity. Some are using the extra time to relax, reconnect with family and friends, or explore alternative travel options.

Karim Jetha, who was traveling from Dubai to London on Friday morning to celebrate his birthday with a family dinner, was one of the fortunate passengers.

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“I was one of the lucky ones,” he said.“I checked in online on my way to the airport, and just as I got off the cab to enter the terminal, I received a message from Emirates that my flight had been canceled, so I still had my luggage with me.”

The disruptions stemmed from a massive fire at an electrical substation near Heathrow Airport, which led to a power outage and forced the UK's busiest airport to shut down. In response, UAE carriers Emirates and Etihad immediately cancelled multiple flights to and from London, leaving passengers scrambling for new options.

When Jetha arrived at the check-in desk, he was told to contact the call centre to reschedule his flight.“There were limited options, but they managed to book me on a flight the next morning, landing at Gatwick,” he explained.

He felt relieved that he hadn't checked in his luggage or gone through immigration before the cancellation, which could have led to long delays retrieving his belongings.“I could have spent half a day trying to get my luggage back,” Jetha said, reflecting on how fortunate he was.

Despite the inconvenience, the 41-year-old investment manager from London found a silver lining. The delay allowed him to spend an extra night in Dubai, which meant he could attend a reunion iftar with his friends.“I couldn't join them because I was travelling, but now I'll surprise them. I'll celebrate my birthday with friends today and with family tomorrow,” he shared.

Reflecting on his day, Jetha added:“Overall, I feel thankful. I could've been stuck at the airport for hours; I don't know what happened to those who had already gone through passport control.

Similarly, Fazyma Syed, a UAE resident traveling to London from Jeddah via Dubai, experienced an unexpected delay that turned into an opportunity for reflection. Currently in Makkah performing Umrah, she had planned to leave on March 22, but when she contacted the airline, she learned her flight was still on hold.

“At first, I was anxious about the uncertainty, but then I realised that I could take this time to extend my stay in the holy land,” she said.

Instead of rushing back to the UK, Fazyma decided to spend Eid Al Fitr in Madina.“There's no better place to experience Eid than in the city of our beloved Prophet Muhammad,” she said.“This unexpected change has given me more time for prayer, and I am truly grateful for that.”

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