Originally Posted by Andu
Diverting might not always be an option with the new 'commit' policy a major user of DXB now has in place. Many won't have anywhere else to go.
And I'd be willing to bet that 90% of the pilots in that company aren't aware that Sharjah, their 'second runway' option, won't accept an aircraft diverting from Dubai unless it has declared an emergency. (This is pure rumour. I haven't seen this in writing, just heard it on the grapevine.)
The Sharjah as a Divert option isn't a realistic option nowadays due to severe lack of parking. As mentioned, you'd probably only be accepted if an emergency has been declared. On the topic of Diverting, with only one rwy now available, a blocked rwy ( or bad wx of course) would lead to widespread chaos. RAK can only accept around 4 or 5 widebodies, FUJ maybe a couple more, AUH maybe 10 (but their wx is normally worse than Dubs during foggy periods). A quart into a pint pot methinks. An early decision to divert rather than holding till the last minute would be a wiser option in the event of fog, as increased spacing on final (30 miles to facilatate a dep in LVOs
) means you'll be in the hold forever and a day.