Dubai: With Christmas rapidly approaching, many families in the UAE are worrying they might not spend the festive day together after heavy snow hit most of Europe.
Sherilyn Palmer was due to fly from London Heathrow to Dubai on Sunday, to visit her four-week-old niece, sister and brother-in-law.
Her British Airways flight was cancelled after Heathrow was closed.
"After sitting on the phone for a while trying to get hold of someone to speak to, I found out that everything for the next few days was booked up, and there was no space on any BA flights to Dubai," the first-time aunt told Gulf News from Surrey, England, where the roads were reportedly "like an ice-rink".
Due to fly
Palmer's mother was also due to fly to Dubai on December 23 to visit her first grandchild.
There was no space on that flight, but she has now managed to rebook with a different airline for the day before Christmas Eve.
"It's so frustrating to be stuck here as I want to be in the sunshine to see my sister, brother-in-law and my new baby niece for Christmas.
"Let's hope the snow melts by the 23rd, as I'm not dreaming of a white Christmas this year," she said.
The week leading up to Christmas is one of the busiest times of the year for airports. Consequently the snow, runway and terminal closures at airports around Europe have caused chaos for thousands of travellers.
Many who have had their flights cancelled because of the snow are being forced to rebook for a later date.
Travellers are also finding it difficult - despite the fact that their flights might be operational - to get to their designated airports from their homes.
Other holidaymakers are trying to buy Channel Tunnel tickets to fly out of Europe from Paris by avoiding Heathrow altogether.
