What should travelers stuck in Dubai do?
Immediate steps for people stranded in the UAE
Priorities are safety, official information and documenting expenses. Follow local authorities’ instructions and the guidance of your accommodation. Many governments have advised people to shelter in place where necessary and are updating travel advice as the situation evolves.
Practical actions to take now:
- Contact your airline first. Major Gulf carriers have been operating a limited number of repatriation flights and are prioritizing passengers for those services; record any rebooking, voucher or refund offers.
- Register with your embassy or consulate. Governments are publishing contact details and, in some cases, coordinating evacuation or repatriation options for nationals.
- Secure accommodation and essentials. If your original booking is impacted, keep receipts for hotels, food, taxi fares and any medical care — these are needed for potential insurance or reimbursement claims.
- Use official sources for updates. Airport and airline social channels, official government travel advisories and embassy notices are more reliable than social media.
Options and assistance becoming available
The UAE government has announced plans for large-scale repatriation flights, and several carriers in the region are restarting limited services mainly to get stranded travellers home. Countries including the UK, India and others have moved to repatriate nationals via special flights. If you can move to an alternative airport or route without compromising safety, check whether your airline will rebook you.
Why your actions matter
Careful documentation and following official channels increases your chances of getting rapid help, a reroute or reimbursement later. Do not cancel flights yourself unless your airline instructs you to — in many cases, airlines prefer to manage cancellations and rebookings centrally, and self-cancelling can remove your entitlement to a refund or to re-accommodation.