Etihad Airways diverted Flight EY551 from Abu Dhabi to Riyadh on Monday due to adverse weather conditions in Saudi Arabia. The flight, which was en route to King Khaled International Airport in Riyadh, landed instead in Bahrain.
Etihad, the national airline of the UAE, issued a statement apologizing for the disruption. They affirmed that passenger safety and comfort remain its top priorities.
“We apologise for the disruption caused by this event, and our teams are doing their best to assist you with your travel arrangements,” the airline said in an official communication.
The diversion comes as the region experiences ongoing unstable weather since last Friday. Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Meteorology has forecast moderate to heavy rainfall, hail, and dust-stirring winds in Jazan, Aseer, Al-Baha, and Makkah. Riyadh, Qassim, Hail, and other regions are also expecting light to moderate rainfall.
The airline confirmed that all necessary measures were taken to ensure the well-being of passengers following the unscheduled landing.
