Stranded travellers from the United Arab Emirates have resorted to overland journeys to Oman and Saudi Arabia in a bid to secure flights out of the region, after airspace closures and airport suspensions triggered by the ongoing Middle East conflict disrupted international travel.
Airports in Dubai and Abu Dhabi were closed for several days following escalating tensions linked to the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran and subsequent Iranian retaliatory strikes, leaving thousands of passengers unable to board scheduled services. Even as limited operations have cautiously resumed, the capacity of commercial flights remains severely constrained amid continuing safety advisories and widespread cancellations.
Faced with scarce options and mounting disruption, many expatriates and visitors have chosen to drive long distances – often over four hours – to alternative hubs such as Muscat International Airport in Oman or Riyadh in Saudi Arabia. These destinations, where airports have maintained some level of service, have become focal points for both commercial and private jet departures as travellers try to reconnect with connecting flights or return home.
Charter flight operators have reported surging demand for private departures out of these neighbouring countries’ airports, with some clients seeking seats on high-priced jets to Europe and beyond. Operators have faced challenges securing landing slots and navigating border controls, yet the movement of passengers underscores an extraordinary response to the disruption of conventional routes.
The situation has been reflected in significant aircraft cancellations across the Gulf region, with Gulf carriers postponing services amid airspace restrictions and advisories from aviation authorities urging caution. As a result, alternative overland travel followed by flights from less affected airports has emerged as a practical, if improvised, strategy for many travellers caught in the upheaval.
While some services have begun exceptional departures and limited resumption of scheduled flights, capacity is still not sufficient to meet the backlog of demand, leaving a continuing period of uncertainty for international travellers seeking to depart the UAE.
