Flooding in Dubai family stuck on plane

[Aussieland]

Wondering If anyone has any positive news- my elderly parents in law landed in Dubai 8 hours ago and are still stuck on the plane without any sign of movement. They still have another leg to go into Europe and I am seeing pretty awful footage from the airport. So frustrated at Emirates for taking off when they knew how bad things were and not diverting. Anyone got any ideas how the situation is?!

A friend has been in Dubai airport, waiting to get back to UK, for 18 hours now! They are tired, hungry and thirsty. It's awful.

I have a colleague with a 12 year old girl who has been there for days

For info and not good news - it looks like Emirates are still struggling to get their operation up and running again:

https://airlive.net/news/2024/04/19/emirates-is-suspending-check-in-for-all-passengers-travelling-with-onward-connections-through-dubai/

My friend is still at the airport. Tried to head back to her hotel when her flight was cancelled but was told if she left the airport she would lose her place in the queue. Although it doesn't seem like there's anything resembling a queue to lose your place in!
She did say there's bottled water available now but still not much in the way of food. And no idea when she might get home

That sounds grim.

Presumably the plan announced this PM (briefly stopping any transits) is designed to free up seats to get people out.

Fingers crossed it works.

Oh god I am so sorry she must be feeling awful. Is it worth her just going to find a hotel and getting on the phone (acknowledging the phone lines will take hours to get through)?