'Another day of disruption' at Dublin Airport as Middle East flight cancellations continue

Vivienne Clarke

Dublin Airport Authority’s public relations manager Graeme McQueen has warned that Tuesday will be “another day of disruption" with all flights cancelled from airports in the Middle East.

Speaking on Newstalk’s Claire Byrne show, McQueen said that so far today, 16 flights had been cancelled with more cancellations anticipated for tomorrow.

“There is no end in sight to this; you're probably talking around 15,000 passengers discommoded since Saturday. We've got five aircraft sitting on the airfield at Dublin airport since Saturday. Normally, they'd be going back and forth continuously. I think we're all just waiting to see what happens next.”

McQueen said that Irish passengers waiting at airports in the Gulf were being looked after by airlines with accommodation while they try to rebook flights home.

“I understand the airline's customer service teams are very busy at the moment, so if you can't get through straight away, please just be patient, work with the teams, they will get to you in time," he said.

"But a lot of people, we're getting contacted from people trying to get back from Australia, they would come through on those Middle Eastern flights, people here trying to go the other way as well, so when you've got no end in sight, it's hard for them to rebook.”

McQueen explained that airlines make decisions late because they want to see if it is possible to get flights away, so while the schedule might show some flights for tomorrow, they are unlikely to take off unless the airspace opens up.

“We're in constant contact with the airlines, we're working very hard to accommodate any passengers who arrive at Dublin Airport, welfare packs and things like that, so we're doing all we can, but it's a very difficult situation.

“Your airline is the only one who can tell you whether your flight is going to run, so contact them, get on their online channels, keep an eye on your email, keep an eye on your text messages as well. They're trying to contact you to let you know what's happening with your flight," he said.

“If you don't get through the first time, just keep trying because they are very busy.”

McQueen said that some people who urgently needed to get to Australia were taking alternative routes via the USA, which was not ideal.