If you’re travelling from Dubai to London, your plans may be disrupted, London Heathrow Airport has closed for the entire day due to a fire that caused a major power outage and most flights to and from the destination will be rescheduled. As a result, all Emirates flights from Dubai to Heathrow on Friday, March 21, have been cancelled.

Disruption at Heathrow may last up to a week before returning to normal, according to Paul Charles, CEO of PC Agency, a leading travel consultancy based in London.

Emirates Flights Affected

• EK001/002 (DXB-LHR-DXB)
• EK029/030 (DXB-LHR-DXB)
• EK031/032 (DXB-LHR-DXB)
• EK003/004 (DXB-LHR-DXB)
• EK005/006 (DXB-LHR-DXB)

Additionally, passengers connecting through Dubai onto Heathrow flights will not be accepted for travel until further notice.

What Should Affected Passengers Do?

If your flight has been cancelled, Emirates is offering rebooking options, allowing passengers to:

• Fly to an alternative UK airport (such as Manchester or Gatwick).
• Reschedule their flight to Heathrow on a later date.

If you booked directly with Emirates, you can manage your booking online. Those who booked through a travel agent should contact their agent for rebooking assistance.

Dubai Airports Confirms Flight Disruptions

Dubai Airports confirmed that eight outbound flights from DXB to LHR, along with one inbound flight, were cancelled. They advised passengers to check with their airlines for the latest updates before heading to Dubai International Airport.

British Airways Also Cancels Flights

British Airways has also advised passengers not to travel to Heathrow on Friday. The airline is working on providing affected customers with alternative travel options for the next 24 hours.

Stay Updated

Passengers flying from Dubai to London should:

• Check their flight status before heading to DXB.
• Visit the Emirates website for rebooking options.
• Stay in touch with their airline for further updates.

(Source: X, GN, emirates.com, CNN)

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has expanded its partnership with Tabby, allowing customers to pay for services in interest-free instalments across all digital platforms. Previously available only via smart kiosks, the instalment option is now integrated into the RTA website, RTA app, and Nol Pay app. Residents can now split payments for over 170 services—including vehicle registration renewals, driving licence renewals, and traffic fines—into up to four instalments, making payments more manageable and accessible.

After initially introducing Tabby in its smart kiosks last year, RTA now allows customers to split payments into up to four instalments for 170 services, including vehicle and driving licence renewals, as well as traffic fines. Instalment options will also be available for purchasing vehicle number plates.

The initiative aligns with Dubai’s Cashless Strategy and the leadership’s vision of a fully digital and smart government. By enhancing payment flexibility, it aims to improve customer satisfaction, increase digital adoption, and boost public revenue collection.

Tabby, which operates in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait, is used by over 40,000 global brands and small businesses to offer interest-free payment solutions both online and in stores.

(www.mediaoffice.ae)

Fraudsters are exploiting the spirit of Ramadan by luring UAE residents into fake social media competitions and bogus charity appeals, Abu Dhabi Police have warned.

The scams, which promise cash prizes or claim to support charitable causes, are designed to trick victims into handing over personal and banking details. In some cases, criminals convince people they have won a competition before demanding a “processing fee” or sensitive information to claim the reward.

Authorities say scammers are also setting up fake donation links, posing as legitimate charities to con well-meaning residents out of their money.

Major General Mohammed Suhail Al Rashidi, Director of the Criminal Security Sector at Abu Dhabi Police, has urged the public to remain vigilant, verify the authenticity of any competition or donation request, and never share confidential information online.

He added that anyone who suspects they have been targeted should report it immediately via the Abu Dhabi Police hotline on 800 2626, by SMS to 2828, or through www.aman.gov.ae.

(Source: Wam)