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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Anyone else in Dubai on holiday? AIBU to be panicking with all the flights cancelled?

996 replies

tiantian1005 · 28/02/2026 17:12

Not sure when we can go home..anyone has managed to for example drive to nearby countries and fly from there?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
34
EasternStandard · 02/03/2026 09:20

smokingdogs · 02/03/2026 07:54

I would be flabbergasted if this was happening. Didn’t the guy say ‘we’re looking at all available options’ or something?. Things on the ground in the UAE feel calmer today (we’ve heard explosions but eg I’ve only heard one all morning, nothing overnight). From residents here there’s also a lot of trust that the government/military here will sort things out.

Obviously Saturday especially was very scary, but it feels like a complete misrepresentation of what’s happening to say it’s ’evacuate 97,000 people urgent’.

Good to know @smokingdogs

Buzzingabout · 02/03/2026 09:21

Dubai is safe bit flightnummer cancelled because of dangerous akrdpace on way home. Driving over any borders risky. I would check the Foreign office site h
for advice and check your local titish Co Sumatras or contact the titish Embasdy for advice.

RedToothBrush · 02/03/2026 09:22

Don't forget if the UK government decides to overland citizens it's unlikely to be an operation involving 94000 people. There's all the other nationalities that are likely to be taking the same route. That's a much much bigger number.

And yes since it will absolutely be a target, it is very likely there will be hand luggage only for security reasons.

So I really can't see it being used unless they feel there's no other option available.

LochKatrine · 02/03/2026 09:22

Buzzingabout · 02/03/2026 09:21

Dubai is safe bit flightnummer cancelled because of dangerous akrdpace on way home. Driving over any borders risky. I would check the Foreign office site h
for advice and check your local titish Co Sumatras or contact the titish Embasdy for advice.

Sorry, but I am laughing at the typo "titish Embassy"! 😂

oggie679 · 02/03/2026 09:23

katscamel · 28/02/2026 18:35

Just stay where you are and follow instructions given. Im not sure about Oman but no flights out from anywhere at the moment, Saudia have suspended their flights for now as have Emirates ,Etihad, Qatar, Whizz Air and most others... Kuwait airport was hit ad was Riyadh.
There was a security guy on Instagram who has lived in the region for years and he was saying its still far safer than being in London and he really didnt have any worries about his family being there
I know it feels scary, the unknown always is but with any luck it'll be done by the end of the week (until next time)

I'm pretty sure living in London is far safer than living in the Middle East at the moment. 🤦🏽‍♀️

Buzzingabout · 02/03/2026 09:23

Sorry correction: “Check with local British Consulate”

EdithBond · 02/03/2026 09:30

Springspring8 · 02/03/2026 08:15

Why plaster evacuation plans over the papers. It doesn’t seem things are set yet. Surely more secure if people in the country told evacuation plans being prepared and to register. Then announce it to them when it is happening.

Particularly as UAE and KSA have been fighting a very nasty war in Yemen, with Iran on the opposing side. Oman is the only country in the region that Iran remains fairly neutral with. I wonder how strict KSA will be on dual passports/different visas.

Oman seems best route out, on paper at least.

Imagine flights to/from Saudi Arabia will already be busier due to Ramadan, with Eid in a few weeks.

ChattyCatty25 · 02/03/2026 09:59

Needmoresleep · 02/03/2026 09:13

My take:

This is surely a US-Putin war. Iran is a major supplier of drones for Russia and has a growing armaments capacity, so is a genuine threat to Israel.

Israel is a strong ally of the US. Other economically developed countries in the area sit uncomfortably on a fence. On one hand linked to their neighbours via race (Arab) and religion (Islam). Iran is a bit of an outlier because the people are Persian not Arab, the religion is Shia not Sunni, and also the ayatollahs will not approve of the consumerist mecca (pun not intended) that is Dubai. For the more Gulf states the US and west are where you sell oil, where you gather your affluent tourists and where you gain protection from Russia and other threats. All those officers trained at Sandhurst, arms bought in France, and US bases. At the same time Islam is the glue that unites the people behind the rulers and there will be strong concerns about Israel's action in Palestine.

The US aim will be to destabilise an unpopular Iranian regime. The big question here is, who they are hoping to replace the Ayatollahs with. The regime is very unpopular, particularly amongst the educated middle class, but no organised opposition has been able to develop. The Crown Prince could be used as a figurehead but not more. The hope is that the US have learned from Iraq, where getting rid on Saddam left a dangerous vacuum, but who knows.

The Iranian aim, with these missile attacks will be to loosen Arab logistical support for the US. They are not seeking to hurt civilians, just to hurt the economy with some damage to US bases and aircraft carriers. There will be a lot of talking going on behind the scenes, and until an impasse is reached the attacks will remain low level, though frightening. The UK government will be considering options but shelter in place sounds right for now. If there were to be an escalation it is very likely that the Gulf states would be able to demand a ceasefire to allow evacuation. Iran really does not want to go to war with so many of its neighbours. The aim is to persuade them to support their Muslim brothers over their western economic interests, and thus cut off US support for Israel.

I don’t understand why Israel is considered such a strong ally of the USA. It’s entirely one sided and I fail to see how the US or rest of the West benefit at all. (I’m not even anti Israel).

LochKatrine · 02/03/2026 10:03

ChattyCatty25 · 02/03/2026 09:59

I don’t understand why Israel is considered such a strong ally of the USA. It’s entirely one sided and I fail to see how the US or rest of the West benefit at all. (I’m not even anti Israel).

It's about Iran backing, training and funding groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis. Globally disruptive and antisemitic, anti democratic and anti Western.

justasking111 · 02/03/2026 10:09

LochKatrine · 02/03/2026 10:03

It's about Iran backing, training and funding groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis. Globally disruptive and antisemitic, anti democratic and anti Western.

They hate most Arab countries too.

sabababa · 02/03/2026 10:12

ChattyCatty25 · 02/03/2026 09:59

I don’t understand why Israel is considered such a strong ally of the USA. It’s entirely one sided and I fail to see how the US or rest of the West benefit at all. (I’m not even anti Israel).

It started during Cold War when Arab countries (especially Syria and Egypt as well as PLO) allied with the Soviet Union. It was only in the 60s when the US even authorised direct weapons sales as previously they didn't want to piss off the Arabs. Prior to the 60s, US was quite neutral when it came to Israel as was the UK, France etc.

Later with the rise of anti American sentiment due to Islamic extremism, Israel also was a useful ally to have in the region, lots of intelligence sharing etc.
Then there's the whole evangelical Christan stuff which is just weird but has an influence in American politics.

LochKatrine · 02/03/2026 10:14

justasking111 · 02/03/2026 10:09

They hate most Arab countries too.

Yes, they do, particularly the Gulf States which they think promote Western values.

itsamimario · 02/03/2026 10:14

ChattyCatty25 · 02/03/2026 09:59

I don’t understand why Israel is considered such a strong ally of the USA. It’s entirely one sided and I fail to see how the US or rest of the West benefit at all. (I’m not even anti Israel).

Israel is situated in a very strategic position. Nothing more.

sabababa · 02/03/2026 10:17

LochKatrine · 02/03/2026 10:14

Yes, they do, particularly the Gulf States which they think promote Western values.

And until now Iran has been very happy to fight Israel until the very last Arab.

They've had no compunction about totally destroying Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and Iraq in pursuit of their own aims.

ClickBeat · 02/03/2026 10:19

The Iranian aim, with these missile attacks will be to loosen Arab logistical support for the US. They are not seeking to hurt civilians, just to hurt the economy with some damage to US bases and aircraft carriers. There will be a lot of talking going on behind the scenes, and until an impasse is reached the attacks will remain low level, though frightening. The UK government will be considering options but shelter in place sounds right for now. If there were to be an escalation it is very likely that the Gulf states would be able to demand a ceasefire to allow evacuation. Iran really does not want to go to war with so many of its neighbours. The aim is to persuade them to support their Muslim brothers over their western economic interests, and thus cut off US support for Israel.

This is my view too.

Iran seem to be doing just enough to ensure the Arab states can't ignore what is going on and have to join the conversation

RedToothBrush · 02/03/2026 10:19

Needmoresleep · 02/03/2026 09:13

My take:

This is surely a US-Putin war. Iran is a major supplier of drones for Russia and has a growing armaments capacity, so is a genuine threat to Israel.

Israel is a strong ally of the US. Other economically developed countries in the area sit uncomfortably on a fence. On one hand linked to their neighbours via race (Arab) and religion (Islam). Iran is a bit of an outlier because the people are Persian not Arab, the religion is Shia not Sunni, and also the ayatollahs will not approve of the consumerist mecca (pun not intended) that is Dubai. For the more Gulf states the US and west are where you sell oil, where you gather your affluent tourists and where you gain protection from Russia and other threats. All those officers trained at Sandhurst, arms bought in France, and US bases. At the same time Islam is the glue that unites the people behind the rulers and there will be strong concerns about Israel's action in Palestine.

The US aim will be to destabilise an unpopular Iranian regime. The big question here is, who they are hoping to replace the Ayatollahs with. The regime is very unpopular, particularly amongst the educated middle class, but no organised opposition has been able to develop. The Crown Prince could be used as a figurehead but not more. The hope is that the US have learned from Iraq, where getting rid on Saddam left a dangerous vacuum, but who knows.

The Iranian aim, with these missile attacks will be to loosen Arab logistical support for the US. They are not seeking to hurt civilians, just to hurt the economy with some damage to US bases and aircraft carriers. There will be a lot of talking going on behind the scenes, and until an impasse is reached the attacks will remain low level, though frightening. The UK government will be considering options but shelter in place sounds right for now. If there were to be an escalation it is very likely that the Gulf states would be able to demand a ceasefire to allow evacuation. Iran really does not want to go to war with so many of its neighbours. The aim is to persuade them to support their Muslim brothers over their western economic interests, and thus cut off US support for Israel.

I think it's more than Iran is being seen as the destabilising force in the whole region / world rather than anything to do with Russia.

The Gulf is a key US strategic point - because oil - Trump is committed to the continued use of it so needs to protect US interests long term.

Iran has been and continues to aid and assist trouble in various nearby countries - Iraq, Israel, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen etc. All of which ultimately pose a threat to the US interests.

Any chance whatsoever of it ever being able to develop military capability beyond what it has is problematic. And it's not just about nuclear. If it can supply drones to Russia, where next? Remember all those drone incursions we've been seeing near Western airports in recent months? It raises some bloody big security related questions which I don't honestly think the media has really looked at hard enough in terms of implications. This is actually far more of an immediate concern than other possibilities which draw headlines. Indeed drones being flown at UAE etc kind of highlights the point.

The US has a deal with Ukraine with resources and is desperate for a deal with Russia. Iran being unable to supply Russia takes pressure off the US to supply Ukraine and makes a settlement more likely there too. So the US can get those mining resources. The US wants out of Ukraine. It doesn't want a proxy anything with Russia.

Also see Trump's moves with Greenland. It's all about long term control of key finite resources as demand increases and supply reduces. (It's basically the underlying plot to a Bond Movie - but that's based on real world concerns)

Tbh I don't know how I feel about any of it or the rights / wrongs of the attack on Iran itself. I think we will never know if it was the right thing or wrong thing because we don't have a crystal ball and there are significant possibilities that could have / might arise either way.

We are now in a position where what's done is now. There's no point in seeing it in any other way.

My concern is about a political vacuum in Iran and what that now means. There really doesn't seem to be an on the ground strategy apart from let the Iranians get on with it.

That's going to raise so many issues in its own right. Whilst the US and Israel may feel they can take out the Iranian guard to an extent they are still armed whilst the people aren't.

Tehran has had massive issues with a lack of water in the last few months due to a lack of rainfall and very low reserves in the reservoirs. A large scale bombing campaign of the city is only going to make such infrastructure issues of basic essentials worse. There's going to be a lot of people who will ultimately flee the city to god knows where and god knows what regardless of 'which side' they might ultimately belong to. It's inevitable. A refugee crisis looms either way even without the prospect of a potential civil war. And that's frightening in its own right in terms of what might happen to those people. A lot of borders will be firmly closed. Others will be possible but only to areas which are dangerous in their own right and potentially pose a Western threat. And this doesn't solve water and food related issues for Iranians caught up in the mess.

It really isn't a resolution either way. All it is, is a weakening of a state level threat. It's a calculated degrading of a perceived threat but it's not an elimination of a threat. It's a threat that's going to exist in a different form now. Whether thats better or worse than the future in parallel alternative parallel dimensions is frankly irrelevant and not even worth the effort of thinking about.

What's done is done. We will need solutions to the problems there now are rather speculation on ifs and buts and maybes regardless of how we feel about any of it.

No one has the capability to stop Trump / Netanyhu on this. The Washington Post reported over the weekend that publicly the Saudis are against it but privately the Crown Prince had actively asked for the US to crack on. Whether that true remains to be seen but it raises questions about just who wanted this action (and more importantly who wants to be seen to be supporting the action). Ultimately though no one else has enough influence nor leverage to stop it at this point either including China and Russia even working with anyone else. It's about a shift from Consensus Diplomacy to Authoritarian Style Leadership within world politics which Trump has favoured for a long time.

None of us have much choice but just see what happens over the next few days, weeks, months and years.

Lifesd · 02/03/2026 10:27

just seen they are boarding a passenger flight in Abu Dhabi so looks like flights might be resuming (not sure I’d fancy it just yet)

Araminta1003 · 02/03/2026 10:28

China gets most its oil from there too. It is not just the US! India has been fuelling the Russian war economy etc. India has 10 million citizens in the Gulf. Pakistan is having riots.
It is all so complex and multilayered.
All any of us normal citizens can do is trust in our own intelligence services and authorities surely to do the right thing. At least we have a fairly measured person in charge here, and we know he is happy to flip flop, which is what is needed in an evolving situation.

itsamimario · 02/03/2026 10:29

Lifesd · 02/03/2026 10:27

just seen they are boarding a passenger flight in Abu Dhabi so looks like flights might be resuming (not sure I’d fancy it just yet)

The 12-year-old double-deck A380 (registration: D-AIMK) took off from Zayed International Airport at approximately 1:21 pm (local) bound for Munich as flight LH-9851, which is an irregular flight number and indicates that this is not a scheduled departure.
The aircraft had been in Abu Dhabi since November 2025, where it had been undergoing maintenance at Etihad’s A380 workshop, which does work for a number of operators of the giant superjumbo.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Lufthansa told PYOK that only two pilots were on board the aircraft to complete the technical return to Munich.
“A cabin crew of at least 17 people, which is essential for the safety and care of passengers, is not available and cannot be flown in due to the current massive restrictions on air traffic in the United Arab Emirates,” the statement continued.

scottishgirl69 · 02/03/2026 10:35

It could be months before flights resume.

sabababa · 02/03/2026 10:36

ClickBeat · 02/03/2026 10:19

The Iranian aim, with these missile attacks will be to loosen Arab logistical support for the US. They are not seeking to hurt civilians, just to hurt the economy with some damage to US bases and aircraft carriers. There will be a lot of talking going on behind the scenes, and until an impasse is reached the attacks will remain low level, though frightening. The UK government will be considering options but shelter in place sounds right for now. If there were to be an escalation it is very likely that the Gulf states would be able to demand a ceasefire to allow evacuation. Iran really does not want to go to war with so many of its neighbours. The aim is to persuade them to support their Muslim brothers over their western economic interests, and thus cut off US support for Israel.

This is my view too.

Iran seem to be doing just enough to ensure the Arab states can't ignore what is going on and have to join the conversation

Massive miscalculation.

Until now the Gulf states have (to a certain extent) preferred the devil they know and had a lot of fear about the instability of regime change. Now Iran has abandoned the pretence of attacking militatry sites there and attacked hotels and the airport in Dubai, there's no going back from that, it won't go back to business as usual.

EasternStandard · 02/03/2026 10:36

LochKatrine · 02/03/2026 10:14

Yes, they do, particularly the Gulf States which they think promote Western values.

And they’ll be more isolated after the recent strikes.

Araminta1003 · 02/03/2026 10:42

Wonder how our Government now feels about Diego Garcia given its strategic importance when played out in real terms, like right now.

Greenland is both a military issue, but anyone with any concerns for the environment and the implications worldwide of inducing more arctic ice melting (which Trump and his tech bros seem perfectly OK with doing) will have their own concerns.
Part of allowing the US to use our military basis will be EU driven to let the US feel we are still good allies and Greenland is safe in Denmark’s hands. I certainly trust the Danish more from an ecological perspective.

What is most fascinating about the redefinition of these world powers is that ultimately the shared religious history and shared race and language (including script) etc seems to still be creating the implicit trust structures when push comes to shove.

MMBaranova · 02/03/2026 10:43

Business as usual? Big changes are unfolding and we don't know where this is headed. The Gulf states are in a pickle.

This today from a Russian commentator (Russian Govt. aligned platform). I'm trawling Russian sites this morning as my interest is primarily the Ukraine-Russia conflict, where so far three of my relatives in Ukraine have lost their lives and four have had significant injuries. [Edit: Tidied punctuation.]

Link to Russian version:

https://military.pravda.ru/news/2335863-iran-i-ssha/

Anyone else in Dubai on holiday? AIBU to be panicking with all the flights cancelled?
Buzzingabout · 02/03/2026 10:43

Just read morning papers that say Foreign Office advising to stay put and register with them. Planning possible evacuation of Brits through Saudi. So stay put and after registering with them wait for further news and instruction

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