Essential guide for tourists stranded in the United Arab Emirates and Dubai

Passengers stranded due to the closure of Dubai International Airport (AP Photo)

• UAE Airport Update: When will international flights from Abu Dhabi and Dubai resume?

It is not yet clear when international flight operations from the United Arab Emirates or Dubai will resume. Several airlines, including Emirates and Qatar Airways, have suspended services due to ongoing airspace closures in the region. Airlines have stated that flights will restart once airspace is safe and officially reopened.

Passengers whose flights were canceled wait in the departure terminal at Rafik Hariri International Airport in Beirut, Lebanon (AP Photo)

• Stranded in Dubai/UAE/Abu Dhabi? Here’s how to get official information.

To avoid rumours, the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi has advised travelers to stay informed through official channels. “Members of the Indian community in the UAE are requested not to fall victim to rumors and fake news regarding the security situation in the country,” he said. It also published the official addresses of the UAE Embassy/Consulate/government authorities for updates:

1. Embassy of India, Abu Dhabi – @IndembAbudhabi
2. Consulate General of India, Dubai – @cgidubai
3. UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs – @mofauae
4. UAE Ministry of Defense – @modgovae
5. UAE Ministry of Interior – @moiuae
6. UAE National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority – @NCEMAUAE
7. Emirates News Agency – @WAMNEWS_ENG
8. UAE Government Media Office – @UAEmediaoffice
9. Abu Dhabi Media Office – @ADMediaOffice
10. Dubai Media Office – @DXBMediaOffice

Passengers wait in front of the Middle East Airlines counter to rebook or purchase new tickets at the Beirut Rafik Hariri International Airport in Beirut, Lebanon. (AP Photo)

• Middle East airport closures: Should passengers travel to the airport to receive updates on their flights?

No, airlines have advised passengers not to travel to the airport without confirming their flight status. He urged travelers to check the latest updates on the airline’s official website or via email and SMS notifications before leaving hotels or home for airports.

• Dubai/UAE airport closure: Do stranded tourists have to pay additional hotel charges?

According to the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism, guests who have arrived on their scheduled departure dates but are unable to travel for reasons beyond their control must extend their stay until they are able to depart. The department further said that the cost of the extended stay will be covered by DCT Abu Dhabi.

Passengers stranded by the closure of Dubai International Airport wait for help in the Dubai airport parking lot (AP Photo)

• Dubai Airport Closure: Refund and Rebooking Rules for Tickets

Several airlines, including Emirates, have indicated in their advisories that passengers booked to travel on or before March 5 have the following options:

1. Rebook on an alternative flight. You can rebook another flight to your intended destination up to 20 days after your original travel date. If you booked your flight with a travel agent, please contact them. If you booked with us directly, contact us at http://emirat.es/support.
2. Refund request. You can request a refund for your ticket by completing the refund form at http://emirat.es/refund if you booked directly with us. If you booked your flights with a travel agent, please contact them.