Stranded travellers praised UAE authorities for arranging free hotel accommodation, meals and support as flights were cancelled and regional tensions escalated.
Amid Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iran and the resulting regional tensions, an Indian influencer stranded in the UAE after airspace closures said he and his family were well taken care of following their flight cancellations. The influencer, who blogs under the pseudonym The iPad Info, said his family was provided with free accommodation, meals, and transport on Saturday evening.
He was at Abu Dhabi airport on Saturday afternoon when he learned that all flights had been cancelled. “We came to the UAE last week and were supposed to return to Bangalore on Saturday,” he told Khaleej Times. “At the airport, we discovered that all flights were cancelled. There were sirens, and we received an alert on our phones to find shelter. A few hours later, we were provided with free meals and hotel vouchers.”
He added that his family was transported to the hotel in a school bus, and everyone they encountered was helpful. “We were looked after very well, and the staff was very supportive,” he said. “As the airspace has not opened, our flight voucher was extended for a day at no extra cost. I loved how the UAE authorities were so considerate towards travellers. It is the most supportive country I have been in.”
On Saturday, the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) announced that it would cover all accommodation and sustenance costs for affected and stranded passengers, ensuring the continued provision of essential services during operational adjustments. Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT Abu Dhabi) similarly directed hotels across the capital to extend stays for guests unable to travel due to the flight restrictions.
Several UAE businesses also stepped in to support stranded tourists. Danube Properties offered temporary accommodation free of charge, prioritising families with children and elderly members, while holiday rental platform Arabnb provided free rooms for travellers stranded in Dubai.
Instant humanity
Dubai resident Tushar Gagerna was on his flight to Delhi on Saturday when he was made to disembark at Dubai airport. As news of the conflict spread, he observed hushed conversations and uneasy silence among passengers.
Even in uncertainty, he noted, the UAE displayed its spirit. “Within a short time of disembarking, a dedicated waiting area was set up for all affected passengers,” he wrote on LinkedIn, noting that free food and water were distributed. “Emergency visas were being issued on the spot for tourists. Think about that. In the middle of a geopolitical crisis, with airspace shut and flights grounded, the UAE ensured that visitors with no hotel booking, no plan to stay, were legally covered, safe, and documented. Not chaos. Not bureaucracy. Instant humanity.”
He added that the way a country responds under pressure sets it apart. “When things go sideways — and in geopolitics, they sometimes do — the UAE doesn’t scramble. Most countries would have left passengers stranded with zero communication. UAE set up a lounge and handed out snacks. That’s the standard. And it’s why millions of us choose to call this place home.”
Scared, but trusting UAE
Tourist Suzna arrived in Dubai on February 15 to celebrate her only niece’s first birthday with her mother, brother, and other relatives. She was supposed to return on Sunday with her mother but is now uncertain when they can travel home.
“We all flew into town to celebrate my baby niece’s first birthday,” she said. “My younger brother left on Friday, and my uncle and aunt were supposed to leave on Saturday. My mother and I had some last-minute shopping, so we decided to stay until Sunday. We were out shopping when my brother called to inform me of the flight cancellation. At the time, I didn’t understand the magnitude of the impact.”
She explained that all their flights were cancelled and refunds issued. “It has been a scary experience hearing the loud thumps of missiles being intercepted and seeing the smoke. The loud phone alerts were also unsettling. We have been sheltering at home. Despite the fear, I have full faith in the UAE government. I know they will ensure we are safe. We have been travelling in and out of Dubai for years, and we know how safe a place it is.”
Their serviced apartment booking is only until Monday noon. “We are a bit worried about it, but we are hoping the hotel will be able to extend our booking,” she added.
