Severe Weather Forces Schedule Changes
Emirates Airline has cancelled and rescheduled multiple flights to and from the New York metropolitan area as a powerful winter storm disrupted air travel across the United States during the busy holiday period. The Dubai-based carrier confirmed that operations at New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) were affected by heavy snowfall, poor visibility, and anticipated operational constraints tied to the severe weather system.
The disruptions highlight how extreme winter conditions in North America can ripple through global aviation networks, particularly for long-haul international carriers operating tightly coordinated schedules. Emirates said the adjustments were necessary to maintain safety while attempting to reduce passenger inconvenience.
Early Departures to Limit Disruption
To mitigate delays and congestion as weather conditions worsened, Emirates operated several services earlier than originally planned on December 26. Flight EK202 from New York John F. Kennedy International Airport to Dubai departed at 18:00 instead of its scheduled 23:00 departure, arriving in Dubai on December 27 at 15:25.
Similarly, Flight EK206, which operates from JFK to Milan and onward to Dubai, departed at 19:30 rather than its planned 22:20 departure. That flight arrived in Milan at 09:05 on December 27. Operating these flights earlier allowed the airline to avoid some of the most hazardous conditions forecast later in the evening, when snowfall and wind were expected to intensify.
Such preemptive adjustments are a common strategy for international airlines facing large-scale weather events, as delays at major hubs like New York can cascade into missed connections and aircraft positioning challenges across continents.
Cancellations Impact Newark Routes
While some flights were moved forward, Emirates also confirmed cancellations involving services linked to Newark Liberty International Airport via Athens. Flight EK209 operated from Dubai to Athens, but the onward Athens-to-Newark sector did not operate due to the storm’s impact on U.S. airport operations.
In the opposite direction, Flight EK210 from Newark to Athens was cancelled. However, the Athens-to-Dubai segment of that service continued to operate as scheduled. Emirates did not provide a timeline for the full restoration of services on the affected routes, noting that operations remain subject to weather and airport conditions in the United States.
Passenger Advisory and Rebooking Support
Passengers affected by the changes were advised to contact their travel agents or the airline directly for rebooking assistance and travel support, Gulf News reported. Emirates also requested that all customers flying from New York regularly check their flight status and ensure their contact information is up to date in the “Manage Your Booking” system to receive timely alerts regarding schedule changes.
Airports and airlines across the region echoed those recommendations, urging travelers to verify flight details before departing for the airport. With rapidly changing conditions, officials warned that delays and last-minute cancellations remained likely.
Widespread U.S. Travel Disruption
The Emirates schedule changes occurred amid widespread disruption across the U.S. aviation system. As of Friday night, more than 1,600 flights had been cancelled and over 7,400 delayed nationwide, according to FlightAware. New York’s major airports—JFK, Newark, and LaGuardia—were among the most heavily affected, accounting for a significant share of cancellations.
Other major hubs, including Boston, Chicago, and Toronto, also faced operational challenges as the storm moved across the Northeast and parts of the Midwest. The U.S. National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning forecasting up to 9 inches of snow across New York and southern Connecticut. New York City was expected to see its heaviest snowfall in four years, with some areas predicted to receive as much as 10 inches.
Safety Concerns and Ongoing Impact
Officials warned that falling temperatures and Arctic winds would increase risks on roads and runways, potentially prolonging hazardous travel conditions into the weekend. U.S. airlines including Delta Air Lines, JetBlue Airways, Republic Airways, Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, and United Airlines cancelled hundreds of flights as they prioritized safety and operational stability.
State and city authorities across the Northeast advised residents to avoid non-essential travel, while road crews and emergency services remained on standby to support snow clearance and response efforts. For international carriers like Emirates, the storm underscored the operational and financial challenges that extreme weather continues to pose for the global aviation industry.
