Sandstorms and landing

[Vix]

I'm off to Abu Dhabi tomorrow and my partners parents (who we're staying with) have told me that they are having sandstorms at the moment.

Would this effect the plane landing? Surely the sand would clog the engines...?

Vix
x

[MathFox]

The plane will have an "alternate airport" in its flight plan, which is a planned diversion airport. It will have enough fuel on board to reach that airport (and some to spare for circling.)
The pilots will receive in flight weather reports and if the weather is too bad (or there is too much sand on the runway) they will divert to another airport. See Kalinych's story of his diversion due to a snow storm. http://www.takingflight.us/forums/showthread.php?t=8624

[Barb-SAN]

Here's a news article about the sandstorm: http://www.thenational.ae/article/20090212/NATIONAL/491037221/1001 Hey, Surf's up! :)
Here's another one, with a photo: http://www.gulfnews.com/nation/Environment/10284940.html

Seems there's more of a concern with cautioning motorists to drive carefully in the lower visibility caused by blowing sand. I've heard cars can have their paint sanded right off in a sandstorm too.

Like MathFox said...logic would indicate that if the storm was severe enough (visibility below minimums) planes would be diverted to other airports, or the flights would be cancelled. Surely the airlines won't risk their multimillion dollar airplanes or their passengers.

[Vix]

Thanks for your help everyone, let's hope it clears up before I get there! :)