(MENAFN- Muscat Daily) Flights between Muscat and Dubai have been affected as two runways at the Dubai International Airport were shut on May 1 for a 80-day maintenance period. Airlines have either reduced the number of flights or have shifted them to Dubai World Central (DWC) - Al Maktoum International Airport.
Oman Air and Emirates have reduced the frequency of flights while Swiss Air has decided to suspend operations for the period. Flydubai's schedule remains unaffected as the airline has shifted operations to the Al Maktoum International Airport.
In a written response to Muscat Daily, Dubai Airports, which owns and manages the operation and development of Dubai International Airport and the Al Maktoum International airport, said, ''During the 80-day runway rehabilitation, the following airlines have dropped frequency between Dubai International Airport and Muscat as follows: Emirates will fly seven fights per week, flydubai operations will remain normal, Oman Air's schedule of 47 flights has been slashed down to 30 flights per week whereas Swiss Air, which flies Dubai-Muscat seven times a week has dropped its flights.''
Dubai Airports said that the overall number of flights has been cut down by 26 per cent to accommodate all on a single runway at Dubai International Airport and 17 airlines have reserved slots for flights at the Al Maktoum International airport during the closure.
Usama al Haremi, head of corporate communications and media at Oman Air said, ''There have been some cancellations of flights due to this as well as some time rescheduling. Our passengers have been informed about this and those who want to book their tickets can have information on the flights changes and timings from our website or by calling the Oman Air call centre. This is something beyond our control and we have to comply with the steps taken by the concerned authorities. Oman Air regrets the inconvenience caused to its passengers.''
An official spokesperson of flydubai said, ''The runway enhancement project is integral to the future development of aviation in which flydubai plays a key role. The approach that has been taken will minimise disruption to passengers during this period and operating some of our flights from DWC will bring capacity to an otherwise constrained market.''
He added, ''We have had advance notice of these works and planned for the effective deployment of our aircraft and route development, giving our passengers more choice to travel during this time. Between April 30 and July 21, 2014, select flydubai flights to and from Dubai will operate into and out of Al Maktoum International, also known as Dubai World Central.''
A Swiss Air official confirmed that the schedule between Muscat and Dubai - seven times a week - has been suspended temporarily from May 1 to July 19. The airlines plans to resume operations on July 20, he add
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