Red fog alert forces speed reductions and could cause flight diversions across Abu Dhabi

Shortly after 06:30 on 27 December the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) raised a red fog alert for large swathes of the capital, warning that horizontal visibility could plunge below 1,000 m until mid-morning. Abu Dhabi Police activated variable-message signs on the Al Wiqan and Al Dhahir corridors, capping speeds at 80 km/h and deploying patrols to divert motorists if necessary.

The alert comes at the height of year-end corporate travel. According to flight-tracking portal Flightradar24, AUH handled 93 scheduled passenger movements between 03:00 and 09:30. In similar episodes last winter, Etihad diverted up to six wide-body arrivals to Muscat and Dammam, stranding nearly 1,200 travellers. Ground handlers told Khaleej Times that contingency buses and hotel rooms are on standby should diversions repeat.



Businesses with staff on early-morning flights are being urged to arrange car pick-ups at least 45 minutes earlier than normal. Mobility teams should also recall that AUH’s US Pre-clearance facility suspends operations when visibility drops below 800 m, pushing extra queues into the main immigration hall once conditions lift.

While the fog is expected to dissipate later in the day, meteorologists note that similar formations are likely through the final week of December. Companies with critical shipments may want to reroute via Sharjah (SHJ) or utilise Oman’s Sohar Airport as an emergency cargo diversion.

Failure to heed speed limits carries a dual risk: AED 400 fines for motorists and potential liability claims on employers if duty-of-care policies are breached. HR departments should therefore distribute the police advisory and require travellers to monitor the Darb and NCM apps for live updates.