Storm Stella forces Dubai-US flight cancellations

Muscat: Due to the potential impact of winter storm Stella on flight operations at US East Coast airports, Dubai-based airlines have cancelled their flights.
Emirates has cancelled or delayed flights scheduled to operate on March 14 and has advised passengers departing or arriving at US destinations during this period to check their flight status for the latest information regarding their flights.
“Affected passengers are being rebooked on alternate flights to their destinations. We are closely monitoring the situation. We apologise for any inconvenience, the safety of our crew and passengers is of the utmost importance,” the airlines said in a statement.
The airline also had set up a live chat option for passengers who wish to change their itinerary.
There are 10 Emirates flights cancelled and six other flights are delayed.
According to US media reports, a powerful nor'easter dubbed Winter Storm Stella has brought heavy snow to much of the Northeast early Tuesday morning, prompting flight cancellations and school closures and causing officials to warn of "life-threatening" conditions in some areas.
The National Weather Service has issued blizzard warnings, in effect early Tuesday for much of the Northeast, including New England and parts of New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
As of Tuesday, the storm's low-pressure center, or cyclone, was located about 70 miles northwest of Charlotte, N.C.
"The Eastern low pressure system will continue to develop into a strong nor'easter as it moves northward along the Atlantic coast on Tuesday," the National Weather Service said in its latest summary.
Meanwhile, Etihad Airways said that their flight EY103 from Abu Dhabi to New York on March 14 has been cancelled due to severe storm Stella in the Northeast.
“Consequently, flight EY102 from New York to Abu Dhabi on March 14 is also cancelled,” the airline said.
“Etihad Airways’ flight EY101 from Abu Dhabi to New York on March 14 will be upgraded to an Airbus A380 aircraft to accommodate a large number of the guests affected by the cancellations. The upgraded service may be delayed dependent on the development of the storm,” the airline added.
Meanwhile, Etihad Airways flights to and from Washington D.C, and Chicago are not anticipated to be affected and currently operate per schedule.
Due to the situation, the airline is offering affected passengers one free of charge move to another date of travel on/before March 20 in the original class of booking.
“Change fees are waived for this one instance only. Any subsequent changes will be subject to normal re-issue fees. Refunds and cancellation fees will be processed according to the applicable fare rule,” the airline added.