In-laws stuck in Dubai

OP have they registered their presence with the FO? If not, they should do, the link is here:

https://www.register.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/united-arab-emirates-20260228/tell-the-uk-government-youre-in-united-arab-emirates

Nothing about BBC reporting surprises me any more.

I am really surprised that this isn't top story on BBC News the thousands of UK nationals living, working, staying and transiting in the Middle East.

I hope everyone at the airports between flights has been evacuated to safety.

Whilst not wishing to alarm the OP any further, the IRGC promised the most ferocious retaliation in Iran’s history at about 3.30am our time, so it being “over soon” seems pretty unlikely.

Honestly I've read this on my ts and CS before but not really computed it on what that might actually look like in practice. Someone mentioned it in passing on another thread but I think it's a point that probably needs a lot more attention as it's going to be a significant issue that will need resolving on way or another. Whether someone will cover the gap or whether people will be stung remains to be seen but it's something practical to consider and may be something that family can help with

OP make sure they’re following local advice to stay safe. Keep curtains drawn, if possible tape the windows with an X. Have their phones fully charged and a grab bag with their passports and wallets in. Tell them to Know their emergency exit routes. They likely won’t be travelling anywhere anytime soon, the backlog and logistical nightmare will take a lot of fixing that’s once the air space is deemed safe for an extended period of time.

That’s important for people to know. I must admit, I assumed I’d be covered in such a situation.

Official confirmation in the last 20mins that Oman has also been hit by Iran. The US had issues a shelter in place directive for its citizens in Oman too. I'm guessing the Irans don't want it to be seen as a potential exit route.

I think it will be over soon. UAE’s air defences are very good and will intercept most. Oman is close to Iran, has been trying to mediate, and doesn’t host any massive American/Western bases. So it shouldn’t really be a target but who knows, if the Iranians behave erratically… UAE has Minad air base, Qatar has Al Udeid and Bahrain hosts the US Navy Fifth Fleet.

I hope they get away safely, OP. My daughter and son in law live in Germany and went to Jordan to be with his family for Ramadan. I’ve just had a message from her to say that they’re at the airport so they’re obviously trying to leave. Unfortunately she didn’t say where they’re flying to but I’m hopeful that she’s on a flight that has just taken off. She said there had been lots of interceptions in Amman overnight.

This is a really important point. My understanding is that most people will have limited insurance coverage for a situation like this as it fails into an explicit exception.

With this in mind it might be considering what finances or financial help you may be able to give to any family you have stranded as it's going to take a while for the situation to resolve and even if the capability of Iran to launch attacks is dealt with quickly by air superiority, flights will be slow to resume, prioritised and there will be a backlog.

Being stuck for a couple of weeks is not an unrealistic prospect at all.

They need to sit tight and keep an eye on foreign office guidance. I am sure they will be home soon- just not as soon as they planned for.

best wishes to them- and you also OP as it is worrying.

Whether you think Dubai is horrible and would never dream of lowering yourself to visit my is completely irrelevant, I can't believe the smugness of some posters.

The fact is this is somewhere that should have been safe to holiday in, that's the view of governments and insurers not something I've plucked out of the air. People stuck there have done nothing wrong.

I really feel for your in laws. In answer to your question, no one can tell you what will happen, it's a volatile unfolding situation and could get better or worse very quickly. But no one can say that they'll just be a bit delayed. Let's hope that's the case.

Ah, sorry, I didn't realise

Dubai's a fab place for a holiday (not at the moment, obvs). In common with many, many holiday destinations around the world, it has an underbelly. I don't see that stopping people from holidaying in the Caribbean or South America or China, or Russia when it was open. These threads have brought out all the halo-polishers. Suddenly it's all cool to be against Dubai. Hopefully all the Cool PostersTM never go anywhere that has deep poverty or dodgy history or organised crime or anything else unsavoury.

Did everyone miss the actual OP? The one where someone explained they were worried about people they love?

OP I'm sorry they're stuck in this situation, the risks seem to be pretty low overall. Presumably they're staying put indoors and waiting until airspace opens again. Hopefully that won't take too long.

Because Dubai Airport has been hit by a missile (or missile debris, reports vary) with multiple people injured

Possibly because Dubai airport is at risk of being bombed??

I did raise my eyebrows at one influencer who wrote an open letter on twitter begging for the conflict to stop because her gigs were cancelled and she was losing money. No awareness at all.

Oh shut up

Totally agree @KatiePricesKnickers migrant workers are being exploited in Dubai.

Not having a go at you or your in laws @itsamimario I hope they can fly home very soon. I think Dubai is generally still a safe place (for those with money).

Looking on flight radar flights are still operating all over UAE just not into Iran/ Israeli airspace. It's really weird as flights still in and out of Muscat so why are Dubai flights stopped?

I hope they get back soon op.

Whether or not I would personally holiday is Dubai is irrelevant. I have a great deal of sympathy for those who are stuck or worried for relatives who are. It must be a very frightening situation to find yourself in.

No, it’s not relative at all. They are being abused, and should be paid a lot more by local standards.

But isn't the talk of money going to be all relative? Around 30% of the population of the UAE are Indian immigrants whose average wage working as unskilled labourers in India would be the equivalent of around 400 - 600 AED per month. So those workers would definitely be considered to 'have money' by their compatriots.