Dubai Airport

[BluebellShmoobell]

My son is due to.fly to Australia and stopping in dubai. Im so anxious, does anyone on here work for Emirates or know anyone that does and how things are going. I cant believe they are still flying in a dodgy airspace, or do they have good security. He won't cancel but im so worried. Thankyou.

DM was due to fly back today from Australia with emirates through Dubai. It was cancelled only a couple of hours before the flight. She should get a refund but now needs to book another flight, which are extortionate and may have to stay there a couple of weeks longer.

Did he book his flight direct with emirates? If so, they are offering refunds on cancellations in March. If he booked through a travel agent like DM, it’s a bit more complicated.

@BluebellShmoobell

Most of the various Gulf airline crews tend to be fairly low profile on social media and I suspect they are very very low profile ATM but fingers crossed you'll get info from someone on the scene.

Looking at this remotely from the POV of someone who was in the industry a long time I have to say it there's no way the airspace or airports are operating normally, but you have to assume measures are in place to protect passengers...

Of course those measures can and have involved flight cancellations and, as happened a couple of days ago, some lengthy diversions.

Don’t cancel!! If you accept refund you’re on your own but if you refuse it the airline is obliged to find you an alternative I think?

Emirates are offering full refunds if travelling before 15th April though alternatives have skyrocketed in price. We have just got our money back.

I don't think Emirates have to pay for an alternative flight back as they are a non European airline. They might help but they don't have to.

He's booked direct with Emirates and they are offering a full refund up to the 31st of March. They've looked at other flights and routes and the prices are very high. Emirates are saying the flight is still going ahead but check for updates.
Its the safety side, but I guess I must have faith they know what their doing a and customers security is paramount.

Refunds are now to 15th April been extended. I would not go via Dubai but it's a personal choice.

My friend’s son just returned from Dubai. He was in Bangkok. His flight was canceled for return . Then rebooked two days later . He flew very delayed into Dubai and missed his connection. He had to stay Dubai with rebooked ticket for 5 days later. His Mom went to Munich airport and having worked there was able to get staff to find a seat for the next day . He made it home but he was already 4 days delayed and it would have been an additional 5 . Yes, Emirates is flying but the airport space can always close suddenly then you can be stuck in a country not knowing when you will get out. He may not be insured either as at the moment the government is advising against travel. It’s not worth the stress and quite risky, in my opinion.

I’d cancel. Not worth it.

I must admit I have phoned Emirates this evening and aired my concerns, they were very kind, courteous and quite reassuring, he obviously said we take no risks and things can change suddenly with the closure of airspace. He said something about planes being escorted by military craft when they come into land and at take off.

Just wanted to advise that someone I know flew back from Thailand via Dubai last week with no problem.

Do not cancel. They have a legal obligation to get your son to Australia, if you DON'T cancel then they will have to pay the crazy prices for another airline to get your son there.

If you do cancel then you fucked up the crazy prices are all on you.

They rerouted me from Sydney on quantas via Singapore and paid my hotel. I know other people who were rerouted via south Africa and got hotel paid. Do not cancel - it's the worst thing you can do. I repeat they are legally obligated to get you to your destination including at their own expense via other airlines and other routes.

Yes they have to reroute flight out if not running but not flight back under CAA rules. They may do more than the minimum. If go via Dubai travel insurance not valid.

Foreign office advice is not to travel. If you choose to, it invalidates the travel insurance. So if anything did happen, he is on his own!

Attached is a post from a thread I started

We have friends in New Zealand. Their flight back via Dubai was re-scheduled last week. We haven't heard from them since, but pretty sure they're still away. If a flight is massively delayed or re-scheduled, he's far more likely to get his flight money returned. He might not be covered on anything booked the other end, as msny policies don't cover war.

Forgot to say, their flight was with Emirates.