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

[tiantian1005]

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

but the phone will be sending signals out searching for wifi it that's not switched off.

Yes agreed, it will..

However they are doing it I suspect the plan is there should be no live streaming during departures transmitted out at all, by any route....(wifi or 4G, 5G whatever)...

Either way, it's not what I'd want to hear when I'm sat on board a plane with a few hundred other people, given how frequently people seem to think the rules apply to everyone else but them. Being at the mercy of other people being dickheads is not an appealing prospect.

Not to mention she was sat on the plane telling DH this via her mobile somehow which kinda blows my mind. No I would not be messaging someone saying this - just in case it might lead to me getting blown up!

You are 100% the lack of anti missile capabilities either at Akrotiri or in existence at all is bad enough .

But combine that with the delay of getting HMS Dragon to park itself off the coast of Akrotiri, when the Royal Navy actually recommended this action to the Government several weeks ago is simply unacceptable.

As I previously posted the cuts in UK defence spending is as a result of both Conservative and Labour Governments.

But the fiasco around RAF Akrotiri and HMS Dragon sits firmly with the current Labour Government.

Thank fuck Keir Starmer wasn't in charge of the Dunkirk retreat.

Honestly the stuff this week just blows my mind. You don't have to be full on hawk over this but the reluctance to say anything or do anything decisive or with any sense of purpose is utterly bewildering. "Will PR like it?" Honestly I don't give a fuck if you say something I don't particularly agree with the dithering and lack of opinion/trying to please everyone is far fucking worse.

I see the OP hasn't updated since her original post...........journalist perhaps 🤔

I actually think Starmer doesn't really want to be involved and would rather side with Spain on this one. He was anti the war in Iraq and I think he feels pressured into this by Trump.

Passengers arriving back in Manchester looked really rather shaken and relieved to be home.
There was a round of applause and shouts of ‘thank you’ as the full crew of the Emirates flight came through the airport.

We are not Spain.

Obviously?
Starmer taxes private education, he doesn't care about a bunch of millionaire ex pats stuck out on influencer island when we are worrying about Russia on our doorstep. He doesn't like that war has been decided by Trump on a whim without any thought to the repercussions and isn't jumping for joy at the idea of spending millions and losing lives in a war he doesn't want. I am merely pointing out why he isn't rushing and sending everything we have just because Trump says jump.

I feel for anyone, any innocent person caught up in a war zone, but I hope our repatriation efforts are not focussed on non doms who have been raking in money and being careful to avoid paying any UK tax.

Or than non tax payers are charged.

My friend’s non dom DH is demanding consular assistance, moaning about not enough help etc etc. Horrible situation but we pay taxes towards the services we need.

Whatever gave you the idea that I agree with those who differentiate between the two for negative/nefarious reasons? Those who do probably wouldn't accept your identifying as an expat, in any case.

The one where fuck all was going to happen until thousands of brave individuals got involved with their personal property, crew and lives to help/make it possible?

Also I think losing the Gorton by election to the Greens mainly on Gaza may worry him.

If you're on about Dunkirk/Op Dynamo TBF there was certainly planning done at VSO level with Churchill's knowledge and even input before the small boats got anywhere near being gathered and then crossing the channel...

My father coordinated many small boats from North Wales it was an incredible undertaking.

It was indeed, it was quite some story and involved some very brave people..

My friend is living there and had breakfast at the palms the day. All good

Alright 👍

Today that should have said

https://english.alarabiya.net/News/gulf/2026/03/06/emirates-airline-says-expects-to-return-to-100pct-flight-capacity-if-airspaces-reopen
Emirates airline says expects to return to 100pct flight capacity if airspaces reopen

Emirates airline expects a return to 100 percent of its network within the coming days, subject to airspace availability and the fulfillment of all operational requirements, an airline spokesperson said on Friday.

Starting on Friday, Etihad Airways is restarting a “limited flight schedule” from its hub in Abu Dhabi. The carrier has operated some flights in recent days, but its latest announcement suggests it is moving toward more regular operations.

Etihad said that previously booked passengers as well as new customers will be able to travel on the flights, assuming “all safety criteria are met”. It listed more than 70 destinations it planned to fly to between 6 and 19 March.

Qatar Airways's scheduled flight operations remain temporarily suspended due to the closure of Qatari airspace.

https://www.euronews.com/travel/2026/03/06/middle-east-flights-emirates-aiming-to-be-back-at-100-capacity-in-coming-days

I've no idea why the British government is responsible for a flight not taking off.

As for Starmer I think he's tried to follow a fine line between not supporting an illegal war and supporting British interests.

I agree that a warship should have been in the area but I understand that it was being fitted out/repaired and is already leaving probably a bit sooner than it should have done.

@RedToothBrush

Following Starting on Friday, Etihad Airways is restarting a “limited flight schedule” from its hub in Abu Dhabi. The carrier has operated some flights in recent days, but its latest announcement suggests it is moving toward more regular operations.

Looking at the inbound stream of Emirates aircraft strung out cross Saudi - A380s,777s etc at around midnight Friday night, all heading into DXB I'd say the Gulf airlines are moving towards normality PDQ.

If this continues some of the MN doomongers are going to be royally hacked off.

Just heard from a friend near the airport in Dubai. Nobody will be leaving by plane for a while, I'm afraid.