Winter Storm Fern Disrupts Travel Plans

Winter Storm Chaos: Emirates and Etihad Flights Canceled from Dubai Due to Fern Storm

As the North American winter becomes increasingly harsh, the approaching Fern winter storm has significant implications for air travel as well. The storm is extensive and could affect more than 175 million people across the United States, particularly in Texas, the Great Plains, the Mid-Atlantic, and the Northeastern states. Forecasts predict that the Fern storm will peak on January 25th and 26th, with heavy snowfall, icing, power outages, and transportation disruptions expected.

This natural phenomenon is already having an impact in the Middle East, particularly on transatlantic flights departing from the UAE. Emirates and Etihad Airways have been forced to cancel several flights to and from the United States, primarily due to the extreme weather conditions on the east coast and airport closures.

Massive Flight Cancellations from Emirates

The Emirates airline canceled the following flights between January 24th and 26th:

EK203 / EK204 – Dubai - New York

EK201 / EK202 – Dubai - New York

EK205 / EK206 – Milan - New York

EK209 / EK210 – Athens - Newark

EK221 / EK222 – Dubai - Dallas

EK231 / EK232 – Dubai - Washington

EK237 / EK238 – Dubai - Boston

The airline made it clear that passengers who were connecting to other destinations through Dubai on the mentioned cancelled flights cannot depart from their original starting points. They are advised to contact their travel agencies or the airline directly for rebooking or further information.

Etihad Airways: Restrictions on JFK and Washington Flights

Etihad Airways has also canceled several of its flights on January 25th, particularly those to and from New York JFK and Washington Dulles (IAD) airports:

EY1 / EY2 – Abu Dhabi - New York (JFK)

EY3 / EY4 – Abu Dhabi - New York (JFK)

EY5 / EY6 – Abu Dhabi - Washington (IAD)

The airline stated that all other U.S. and Canadian flights currently operate as planned, but the situation can change rapidly, and further delays or cancellations are possible. The Etihad teams are actively assisting affected passengers by providing new bookings on other flights or full refunds for those who cancel their travel plans.

The airline also suggests that passengers ensure their contact details are correctly entered at etihad.com/contactme to receive timely notifications.

The Devastating Impact of the Fern Storm in the United States

The size and strength of the Fern winter storm are unusual. Forecasts suggest it could cover an area as long as 3,200 kilometers, more than half of the continental United States. As a result of the storm, over 30 centimeters of snow could fall in regions like Virginia or Maryland. Cold, arctic air masses further worsen the situation, especially where ice layers form alongside snow, which can break tree branches, damage power grids, and paralyze infrastructure.

U.S. weather channels warn that Fern could create an extensive "snow zone" about 2,400 kilometers long, causing record snowfalls in some places. The term "crippling ice" is already frequently mentioned in weather reports, and some regions are preparing for several days of transportation chaos and power outages.

New York City, the financial center of the United States, is also affected. According to The Weather Channel, the city might receive up to 30 cm of snowfall. The cold wave was already felt on January 20th when -9°C was recorded in Central Park, with a wind chill factor making it feel like -17°C. It was the coldest day of the season in the city so far.

What to Expect in the Coming Days?

While American authorities and airlines maintain heightened vigilance, travelers also need to exercise increased caution. Those planning to travel to the U.S. in the coming days, especially from Dubai or Abu Dhabi, should check their flight status before departure and be prepared for longer delays or rebookings.

In the global connectivity world, an extreme weather event — even several thousand kilometers away — can directly impact those living, working, or traveling in the Emirates. Such situations again highlight that safe travel now involves more than just holding a ticket and passport — continuous information and quick response play crucial roles as well.

The decisions by Emirates and Etihad illustrate how a forward-thinking airline can respond quickly and passenger-friendly to unforeseen natural challenges. Hopefully, Fern will soon subside, and the affected flights can resume promptly. Until then, patience and flexibility are the best travel companions in this extraordinary weather situation.

(The article is based on statements from Emirates and Etihad.)