Emirates cancels London flights ahead of Storm Ciara

Passengers due to fly from Dubai to London are being booked on to other flights

Waves crash over Newhaven Lighthouse on the south coast of England, as Storm Ciara swept over the country. AFP

People walk along the promenade as waves in break in a stormy sea alongside the lighthouse in New Brighton, north west England as Storm Ciara swept over the country. AFP

Body boarders ride the stormy waves at Broad Haven, Pembrokeshire, Wales, Britain as Storm Ciara approaches the Welsh coastline. Reuters

The construction fabric has been blown off a scaffold in a construction project during the storm Ciara in Harlingen, The Netherlands. EPA

Waves crash over the harbour wall by a lighthouse as Storm Ciara hits Newhaven, on the south coast of England. AP Photo

A woman holds a hand rail to steady herself as she walks along the harbour wall in Polperro, south west England, as Storm Ciara swept over the country. AFP

A man walks with a child and a dog on a dike against strong wind during the storm Ciara in Harlingen, The Netherlands. AFP

Storm Ciara arrives with waves hitting the Cobb in Lyme Regis, United Kingdom. Getty Images

Storm Ciara arrives with waves hitting the Cobb in Lyme Regis, United Kingdom. Getty Images

Storm Ciara arrives in Lyme Regis, United Kingdom. Getty Images

Emirates has joined dozens of airlines in cancelling flights to London as Storm Ciara approaches Britain and Ireland.

Flight EK029, due to depart Dubai International Airport for London Heathrow this morning, has been grounded.

“Due to expected severe weather in London this flight has been cancelled. We are in the process of rebooking the flights to the final destination and will send an updated itinerary shortly,” the airline’s website said.

Passengers are being rebooked on to alternative flights. All travellers due to fly to airports in London and across the UK today are advised to check their flight status before travel.

Emirates flight Ek17 had to be diverted to Frankfurt after failing twice to land in Manchester. After waiting on the tarmac for around an hour, passengers were told they'd be staying in the German city overnight.

The UK’s meteorological office issued severe weather warnings for the weekend, with strong winds of up to 128kmph and widespread heavy rain expected.

Heathrow consolidating flights

London’s Heathrow Airport announced it was “consolidating” Sunday’s flight schedule to minimise the number of flights cancelled.

Thousands of passengers will be affected by the flight cancellations, with British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, American Airlines, Iberia and Cathay Pacific among the airlines that have cancelled flights.

British Airways passengers are expected to be worst affected. The airline’s hub is Heathrow Airport and it has also cancelled flights from London City and Gatwick airports.

The airline said it was offering flexible rebooking options for all customers.

Storm Ciara is trending on social media, with Twitter users posting pictures of the storm brewing.