Aviation expert reveals how long people could be stranded in Dubai following missile strikes
The UAE has been the target of retaliatory strikes from Iran
Following the commencement of Operation Epic Fury from the United States and Israel, Iran has launched a number of retaliatory strikes against its neighbouring nations.
These have typically been limited to air force bases operated by the aforementioned two nations alongside allies like the United Kingdom who have recently offered their committed support, but there have also been a number of missile strikes on some more residential areas.
One such nation that's particularly affected by this is the United Arab Emirates, as Dubai – one of its biggest cities – draws a significant number of tourists alongside being the home to a sizeable percentage of expatriates who might now find themselves stranded despite evacuation efforts from their native governments.
One aviation expert has now chimed in to offer advice to those looking to find a way out of areas like Dubai, alongside all the information that people will need if they have a holiday currently booked to a country affected by recent Iran strikes.
How long could people be stranded for?
According to Ivan Stevenson, Associate Professor in Aviation Management at Coventry University, the length of time that individuals currently in Dubai will be made to stay put very much depends on the current state of affairs, especially as its a constantly evolving situation where tensions only seem to be growing by the day.
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"For passengers already in the region, maintaining contact with their airline or travel provider is essential," Professor Stevenson asserts, adding that "some services are still operating, but airspace restrictions and security assessments mean cancellations and diversions are occurring at short notice."
He reveals that "major hubs such as Dubai International Airport remain operational, but connectivity may be reduced depending on regional airspace closures."
It's unfortunately all up to the airlines themselves as to whether you're allowed to exit the country, and while there are concessions regarding refunds or replacement flights that passengers are entitled to, most people will simply want to get home.
What to do if you're stranded in Dubai
If you're one of the many people currently looking for a way out of Dubai amid the ongoing tensions between Iran and the United States, Professor Stevenson has outlined the exact steps you should take.
He indicates that you should be as flexible as possible with your routing and timing, and that you should also unfortunately be prepared to pay for additional accommodation or subsistence costs along the way.
Most importantly, he urges people to register with their local embassy or consulate, monitoring Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) guidance in the process if they're from the UK as this will provide the most up-to-date information.
"If the situation escalates significantly, the UK Government may consider assisted departures or repatriation, but that is typically a last resort," Professor Stevenson continues, adding, however, that "travellers should not assume automatic government evacuation."
What if you've got a flight booked to Dubai?
If you're not currently in Dubai but have a flight booked to the United Arab Emirates, Professor Stevenson outlines the different scenarios that you currently face with many saving you lots of money in the process.
Firstly, if your flight has been cancelled by the airline then you should be entitled to both a full refund or re-routing at the earliest opportunity (or a later date chosen by the passenger), although compensation on top of the refund isn't likely to happen due to the 'extraordinary circumstances' leading to the cancellation.
If the flight is still scheduled to go ahead, however, and you're choosing not to travel, you are not likely to be granted a refund unless there's advice from the FCDO against traveling, so you'll have to stomach the cost — perhaps for your own safety.