To think someone should help them?

[Jordyn86]

DS (21) and girlfriend went to Dubai to celebrate her 21st.
DS been saving for 2 years for this. I know everyone's feelings on Dubai, not my choice of holiday.

Their flight home was yesterday, received a message to tell them to go to the airport and check in. It was absolute chaos at the airport but they were told to go through security as their flight would leave.

The flight time kept being pushed back and eventually left this morning empty.

There is nobody from Emirates at the airport. Nobody answering the help line.
Although they are relatively ok he said there are families with children and old people that have been stuck there for 2/3 days.

He has phoned the consulate and they said they are aware and there isn't anything they can do.
He is currently been in a queue for 8 hours at a desk, with nobody there. Where they were told to wait to get checked onto another flight.

Don't know what I can do to help him?

Oh no @Jordyn86 sounds like they are caught up in a nightmare. Have they contacted their travel insurance?

If there are genuinely no staff etc rather than just waiting, personally I would go back to a hotel and wait it out there. It looks like thousands of people will be in the same situation.

Yes I’m not a fan of Dubai either, I wouldn’t feel happy knowing so much of it is constructed on labour earning a pittance. Never got the appeal.

Travel insurance said it's down to the airline.

They have no luggage as already checked in and worried about leaving the airport incase a flight becomes available and they get put as a no show.

I agree, I personally wouldn't go there if you paid me but his choice.

The consulate are not doing anything to help, which is crazy.

Has he phoned emirates?

I know everyone's feelings on Dubai, not my choice of holiday

Strange as I know many many people who love Dubai, I wouldn’t say ‘everyone’s’ feeling are the same

Does your son and gf have holiday insurance?

Also who did he book through? The travel agent should be helping

Sorry, I should have worded that differently. I just didn't want a lot of answers moaning about the place.

Yes he does have travel insurance but they said there is nothing they can do and it's down to the airline.

This is an awful situation. We have a colleague trapped with a 12 year old girl who has been told to expect to wait in the airport a further week. They have no food and limited water. Yes I think the British consul needs to do something, before this becomes a welfare crisis.

A very similar thing is happening to a friend of mine, except she has been at the airport since Wednesday. She's re booked on a flight home today I believe but is fully prepared for it to be cancelled again. It's bloody chaos there! She hasn't slept or showered. I feel for your son and his girlfriend. I hope they get home soon.

It’s a miserable situation for them but the airline will be doing everything they can. The aircraft and crew have been left scattered all over the place. There’s some advice here.

It really is awful there, they have only been offered a voucher for 1 sandwich and 1 bottle of water.
@PickledPurplePickle he booked direct with Emirates. You cannot get through on phone line or online chat.

He said there is literally no one from the airline at the airport. Just airport staff who can't help,just shrug their shoulders.

Thank you @FictionalCharacter

The airline are not doing anything to help. That's the worst part, no communication whatsoever.

We were worried about this and told them to stay at the hotel. But because the airline told them to go to the airport, if they didn't they would be classed as a no show and not entitled to be put on another flight.

Their flight departure just kept being moved up an hour and then said it had left, with nobody on it.

In the big scheme of things they are young and healthy but he said their are elderly people and young families just stranded :(

I have nothing helpful to say but just wanted to comment on how awful that is for your ds and also the other people stuck at the airport. Particularly with having no information at all and no idea what the plan is to get them home. I hope they get home soon

Yes I’m not a fan of Dubai either, I wouldn’t feel happy knowing so much of it is constructed on labour earning a pittance. Never got the appeal.

A bit like the UK then

Why is the British government not stepping in to protect our nationals? This is exactly what they are for

@60andsomething exactly! It is really a crisis situation and they should help.
Just to add, I know it's not a war situation but their website does state travel disruption comes under a crisis.

His girlfriend has been really sick and the consulate just provided them with addresses for medical centres nearby.

They have managed to secure a flight and hopefully will take off later today. They were in the queue to rebook for 10 1/2 hours.
First come first served. So there are many many people still stuck there and some have been there for 3 days already.

We are so lucky they have managed to get a flight, fingers crossed that it takes off

@Jordyn86 hopefully it will take off fine. My friend who'd been stuck in Dubai airport since wed morning has just landed in the UK. Minus her luggage of course 🙄 which they've managed to lose but very relieved to be home! She also queued through the night wed night to rebook. Nightmare! Hope your son and his girlfriend are back home safely soon. You must be so worried. X

The flights has taken off!!

With them on it I hope! Thank goodness - I have a boy the same age, and I was really worried about your lad.

Home safe and sound, without their luggage but at least they're back. Thanks for everyone's support.

wonderful news, thank you for updating us xx

@Norugratsatall I'm glad your friend got home, now for the battle for compensation. Not sure if it will be covered for natural disasters?

Glad they're home Op!

So glad they're home @Jordyn86! You must be so relieved. Yes my friend and her partner were also minus their luggage. Suspect it'll take a while to sort it all out... but at least they're all back home.